Bobcat Equipment South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a trusted supplier of the internationally respected Bobcat family of multipurpose machines since 2001, officially launched the acclaimed Bobcat M-Series Skid Steer Loaders and the latest generation of Telescopic Handlers at a successful customer open day on Friday 23 September 2011.

Eugene Brown, Director at Bobcat South Africa, welcomed customers and said that the introduction of the exciting new Bobcat machines “will, from now on, change the way industry perceives compact equipment. This refined and brilliantly designed new generation of equipment is a big step forward in ergonomics,” elaborated Eugene, adding that the two ranges pack so many features that only a hands-on demonstration could do them justice.

A team of the company’s staff, together with a dedicated equipment demonstrator from Bobcat Europe, expertly put the equipment through their paces. In addition to the new M-Series loaders and telescopic handler ranges, customers had the opportunity to see a variety of Bobcat attachments working, as well as the flagship of the Bobcat rotary telescopic handler range, the TR50210, in action.

The Bobcat® M-Series loaders feature numerous improvements, including: More powerful hydraulics; improved digging and pushing power; increased hydraulic horsepower; increased rollback angle and increased fuel capacity for improved endurance and productivity. Refined hydraulics and the toughest, largest drive chains deliver exceptional drive train durability, allowing the drive system to provide a lot more tractive effort.
                                        
The M-Series loaders offer the largest, most comfortable cabs in the industry, and the all-new lighting system’s high-intensity beams improve all round visibility by 50%. Visibility is further enhanced by a larger rear window and a larger top window, while the unique cab-forward design moves the operator closer to the job. New engine mounting solutions reduce sound and vibration levels by up to 60% when compared to previous generations of Bobcat loaders.

The enclosed steel undercarriage of Bobcat’s robust Roller Suspension™ system on the M-Series Compact Tracked Loader is permanently sealed, and has fewer moving parts when compared to its competitors, thereby reducing maintenance costs. Factory-lubricated and sealed forged steel rollers and idlers that require no routine maintenance are standard on the M-Series Compact Tracked Loaders.

Bobcat’s versatile TL360 and TL470 telescopic loaders are designed for operator comfort, and excel in demanding construction, industrial and agricultural applications. By combining tried and tested principles, innovative design and state-of-the-art technologies, the Bobcat TL360 and TL 470 loaders deliver all the power required in a compact agile machine.

The new Bobcat TL range of telescopic loaders offers the best possible performance in terms of engine power and hydraulic pump capacities while innovative features deliver maximum productivity. A full selection of attachments is available for the new range of Telescopic Handlers, offering the flexibility to do more with one machine. Bobcat TL360 and TL 470 telescopic loaders incorporate high performance and fuel efficient engines, combined with refined and powerful but smooth hydraulic systems.

The patented asymmetrically designed cab structure with high resistance full-glass enclosure and superb 360° visibility utilises a five-pillar cab design, leaving the right rear corner free from blocking structures while maintaining maximum protection and ROPS/FOPS. Stringent mainframe design criteria resulted in very robust machines and the fully integrated boom head offers a complete solution for demanding loading and other high stress applications. Coupled with a tool carrier specifically designed to reduce stress around the pick-up points, the TL range’s boom structure is designed for long service.

The parallel side-mounted engines provide easy and safe access to main engine maintenance points and reduce cost of ownership by keeping maintenance and service to a minimum. 

In conclusion Eugene said, “We are now able to offer our customers an even wider range of superior quality, versatile equipment. The new M-Series loaders and the excellent new Telescopic Handler range will have a big impact on the compact equipment industry as a whole, and we are confident that these new additions will go a long way toward meeting our customer’s expectations for even more durable, cost effective and reliable machines. With our customers happy, we will see an increase in our market share.”

The Bobcat family of Skid Steer Loaders, Compact Tracked Loaders, Excavators and Telescopic Handlers, complemented by more than 70 job-matched Bobcat attachments, are available from a network of branches located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ellisras, Cape Town, Witbank, Durban, Rustenburg, and Richards Bay, with dealers supporting the territories of Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and the Eastern Cape.