Bobcat Product Launch Day Two: The March of the Mini Ex
During the afternoon sessions of Bobcat’s press product launch yesterday, the Georgia heat chased editors into the shade of machine cabs. Muddy boots and sweaty shirts, this editor jumped into all four of Bobcat’s newly released compact excavators, digging red dirt alongside the industry’s biggest equipment publications and Bobcat’s top product managers at the expansive Bobcat Atlanta dealership, right near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Bobcat released four new mini and mid-sized diggers, but we’ll detail three of the new ones in this blog (saving that micro model 324 for a separate blog on Monday).
The Mid-Sized E42 Compact Excavator
The new E42 model joins the Bobcat M-Series compact excavator line in the 4- to 5-ton weight class. The E42 is a conventional tail swing unit with a 41.8 hp liquid-cooled diesel engine and an operating weight of 9,246 lbs. 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.
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.
The E42 is available with a long arm option that maximizes dig depth, reach and dump height clearance.
Bobcat E45 Zero Tail Swing
The new 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 4- to 5-ton weight class. It is powered by a 41.8-hp liquid-cooled diesel engine and has an operating weight of 10,077 lbs. An overall width of 77.2 inches makes it easy to transport, while a bucket breakout force of 8,048 lbs 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.
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.
The aforementioned long arm option is also available.
With a tail swing of less than 1 in., 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 4- to 5-ton weight class. An operating weight of 10,677 lbs and an overall width of 77.2 in. make it easy to transport, while a bucket breakout force of 9,442 lbs provides power for tough conditions.
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.
Again, the long-arm option is available.
