July 2010 Vol. 65 No. 7
Features
Bobcat Growth Continues With New Launches, Upgrades
When Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment acquired Bobcat Company in 2007, many wondered how the long-distance relationship with the South Korean manufacturing giant would work out. Now, almost three years later, the answer is clear. Bobcat is reinvigorated and aggressively improving their equipment while continuing to expand the product lines.
Recently, Bobcat held a media event in Atlanta to showcase their latest equipment modifications and launches.
1.5-ton compact excavator
A redesigned work group allows the new Bobcat 324 compact excavator to reach farther, dig deeper and dump higher.
The 324 excavator is a conventional tail swing unit in the 1.5-ton operating class. Its boom cylinder is attached to the top of the boom instead of the bottom, giving it more protection from damage while digging. It also features a lighter-weight yet durable boom fabrication with cast pivot joints.
As a result, the 324 offers a maximum dig depth of 8 feet 6 inches, reach at ground level of 14 feet, and dump height clearance of 8 feet 8 inches — all of which are best in class.
The undercarriage on the 324 excavator hydraulically retracts to a width of just 38.6 inches for travel through gates and doorways, or alongside homes. It can then expand to 53.7 inches for greater performance. Overall height is just 85.5 inches.
A 13.9-horsepower, Tier 4 water-cooled diesel engine powers the 324, and two travel speed ranges are standard. Equipped with a hydraulic system similar to the larger Bobcat excavators, the 324 has impressive cycle times and breakout forces to complete jobs faster. The system’s torque-limiting piston pump is able to sense and react to hydraulic loads, for better utilization of the engine’s torque curve.
The standard dozer blade features two self-storing extensions that provide a working width of 54 inches. Auxiliary hydraulics with boom-mounted, flush-face quick couplers make changing attachments easy.
Boom swing on the 324 excavator is 80 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right. Bobcat’s exclusive in-track swing frame keeps the swing castings and cylinders within the width of the tracks when digging in an offset position, helping the operator dig flush against an obstacle.
Mid-sized E42
The E42 model joins the Bobcat M-Series compact excavator line in the four to 5-ton weight class. The E42 is a conventional tail swing unit with a 41.8 horsepower liquid-cooled diesel engine and an operating weight of 9,246 pounds.
Redesigned hydraulics with a load-sensing pump and closed center-valve system provide improved, refined control of machine travel and work-group operation. The new hydraulics combined with re-engineered boom geometry also result in increased bucket breakout forces. Cushioned work-group cylinders offer smooth end-of-stroke for precise control.
The E42 comes with an Auto-Idle feature which, if activated by the operator, automatically returns the engine to idle if excavator functions are not used for a period of four seconds, saving fuel and reducing jobsite noise. The engine automatically returns to the preset throttle position as soon as the operator starts working again. For precise engine speed adjustments, a new easy-to-use rotary knob has been added to the controls.
Within the operator’s area, the boom swing control has been moved from the floor and placed on a thumb switch on the left joystick, making it easier to operate and opening up space on the floor for the operator’s feet. New larger travel pedals fold up to provide more floor space while flush-mounted floor mats make cleanup easier. A keyless start system that discourages theft and vandalism is available as an option.
Like all Bobcat M-Series compact excavators, the E42 features an X-frame undercarriage that provides improved ground clearance and sheds debris for reduced cleanup time. Drive motor covers are inset within the motor wrap-arounds to protect them from potential damage.
Integrated slew brakes hold loads still and steady on slopes for more accurate placement. The need for the operator to manually engage the slew brakes during transport is eliminated, making it easier to load and position the machine.
In addition, Bobcat’s exclusive in-track swing frame keeps the swing castings and cylinders within the width of the tracks when digging in an offset position, helping the operator dig flush against an obstacle. When other compact excavators work in an offset dig position, their components extend outside the tracks and reduce their ability to dig in tight areas.
Zero tail swing E45
The Bobcat E45 compact excavator features true zero tail swing, making it ideal for working in areas close to walls, fences and buildings.
The E45 joins the Bobcat M-Series excavator line in the four to 5-ton weight class. It is powered by a 41.8 horsepower liquid-cooled diesel engine and has an operating weight of 10,077 pounds. An overall width of 77.2 inches makes it easy to transport, while a bucket breakout force of 8,048 pounds is about 2 percent greater than the model it replaces.
Redesigned hydraulics with a load-sensing pump and closed center-valve system provide improved, refined control of machine travel and work-group operation. The new hydraulics combined with re-engineered boom geometry also result in increased bucket breakout forces. Cushioned work-group cylinders offer smooth end-of-stroke for precise control.
The E45 also includes the Auto-Idle feature.
E50 with minimal tail swing
With a tail swing of less than an inch, the new Bobcat E50 compact excavator can work in confined areas without sacrificing digging performance.
The E50 joins the Bobcat M-Series excavator line in the four to 5-ton weight class. An operating weight of 10,677 pounds and an overall width of 77.2 inches make it easy to transport, while a bucket breakout force of 9,442 pounds provides power for tough conditions.
The E50 includes the redesigned hydraulics with a load-sensing pump and closed center-valve system, plus Auto Idle.
Selectable joystick controls
Selectable joystick controls with two-speed travel are now available as options on Bobcat S100 and T110 loaders.
Selectable joystick controls provide a low-effort system for operating S100 and T110 loaders. These controls have a natural feel and cause less fatigue, which allows operators to be more productive and work longer hours.
Selectable joystick controls give operators the choice of ISO or H-pattern controls to meet the needs of various operators. This is ideal for fleet owners with numerous operators, large equipment operators who are downsizing to compact equipment or equipment rental centers. The control pattern is easily switchable from within the cab of the loader.
Two-speed travel boosts top travel speed on the S100 skid-steer loader by 33 percent and by 61 percent on the T110 compact track loader. Maximum travel speed of the S100 skid-steer loader is 6.4 mph in low range and 8.7 mph in high range. For the T110 compact track loader, maximum travel speed is 5.2 mph in low range and 8.4 mph in high range. The operator can shift on the fly from low to high range.
Machines with selectable joystick controls also include both horsepower and speed management systems. Speed management allows the operator to precisely match the speed of the loader to the operation of an attachment without constantly adjusting the joystick, thereby reducing fatigue. An accelerator pedal is available to increase engine speed when more power is needed.
All-new utility vehicles
The all-new line of Bobcat utility vehicles is designed to deliver the power and performance needed to handle any job-related task with ease.
Every aspect of the new Bobcat utility vehicles has been designed to help customers get more work done in less time. Increased power, speed, payload capacity and uptime are all key features built into the all-new design. And like all Bobcat compact equipment, the utility vehicles are versatile jobsite machines that can reach areas where larger equipment can’t fit.
The new line of utility vehicles launches with four models — the 3200, 3400, 3400XL and 3450. Features range from two-wheel drive to the four-wheel drive, attachment-ready 3450. Additional options and accessories are available to customize the new utility vehicles to fit each customer’s unique needs.
Several improvements have been made to the new Bobcat utility vehicles, including performance enhancements such as more responsive acceleration, better payload capacities and increased horsepower and top speeds, and electronic fuel-injected gas 4×4 models that start easier and run more reliably in higher altitudes.
Increased payloads, acceleration and top speeds are the direct result of the new horsepower ratings in both the gas and diesel engines — ranging from 24.8 hp to 32 hp. This means customers can quickly haul tools, materials and people — up to six in the 3400XL with bench seating — across jobsites or other large areas such as athletic fields or farms. The quicker the tools and people get to the task at hand, the quicker the work is complete.
Operators can easily flip a switch to select from one-wheel (Turf Mode), two-wheel or four-wheel drive on the Bobcat 4×4 models to best match the driving conditions. When the front wheels are engaged in the 4×4 mode, all four wheels receive torque for maximum traction.
Bobcat utility vehicles feature durable components and protective parts for maximum uptime and easy upkeep, including the sealed continuously variable transmission (CVT) guard, full skid plate, front and rear constant velocity CV boot shields and a radiator guard. The vehicles also feature a composite cargo box that resists corrosion, unlike steel or aluminum. Day-to-day maintenance checks are easy to perform with quick access to the engine compartment, air filter and battery.
Liquid-cooled engines protect critical engine components from overheating, which also results in more power and performance from the machine because components are kept cooler at higher engine speeds.
To meet jobsite needs, the 3450 can use up to five front-mounted attachments with the exclusive RapidLink attachment mounting system.
Models and features include:
Model 3200
• Two wheel drive (4×2)
• Engine: 29 hp gas
• Vehicle rated capacity*: 1600 lb.
• Cargo box load capacity: 1100 lb.
• Max travel speed: 30 mph
• Operating weight: 1178 lb.
Model 3400
• Four wheel drive (4×4)
• Engine: 32-hp gas or 24.8-hp diesel
• Vehicle rated capacity*: 1600 lb.
• Cargo box load capacity: 1100 lb.
• Max travel speed: 30 mph
• Operating weight: 1227 lb. (gas) or 1392 lb. (diesel)
Model 3400XL
• Four wheel drive (4×4)
• Seats up to six passengers (with optional bench seating)
• Engine: 32-hp gas or 24.8-hp diesel
• Vehicle rated capacity*: 1850 lb.
• Cargo box load capacity: 1100 lb.
• Max travel speed: 30 mph
• Operating weight: 1480 lb. (gas) or 1657 lb. (diesel)
Model 3450
• Four wheel drive (4×4)
• RapidLink attachment mounting system
• Engine: 24.8-hp diesel
• Vehicle rated capacity*: 1600 lb.
• Cargo box load capacity: 1100 lb.
• Max travel speed: 30 mph
• Operating weight: 1646 lb.
*Note: Vehicle rated capacity is the combined weight of passengers, cargo box load and accessories on level surface only.
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