Bobcat Launches All New 2010 Machines at Atlanta Press Event

Red mud caked both machine and man at the Bobcat press event Thursday, June 3, in Atlanta. Behind the expansive Bobcat Atlanta dealership, right near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, editors got behind the wheels and joysticks of skid steers, track loaders, excavators and utility vehicles, testing new machines for readers.  

All these new products were covered extensively in a real-time format on CE’s  Machine Works blog (www.ceunbound.com), but what impressed CE the most was Bobcat’s new utility vehicle line (UTVs). The company released its third generation of off-road work vehicles, an 18-month synergy with Polaris (the recreational off-road vehicle innovator). The launch included four new UTVs — the 3200, 3400, 3400XL and 3450 — and these hardnosed mini work trucks have a whole new look, new engines, new suspension and a bed full of new versatile options, a cross pollination of parts and engineering with Polaris.

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, 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 to 32 hp. Plus, these four new UTVs have a cool new look (not unlike the Polaris RANGER), with the ability to take attachments on the 3450 model.

Overall, the event was a great chance to test drive top-of-the-line tool carriers from (as some call the company) the king of compact equipment, including four new mini and mid-sized diggers. The new E42 model joins the Bobcat M-Series compact excavator line in the 4- to 5-ton weight class — a conventional tail swing unit with a 41.8-hp, liquid-cooled diesel engine 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 with an operating weight of 9,246 lbs. 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 with an operating weight of 10,677 lbs and an overall width of 77.2 in., making it easy to transport, while a bucket breakout force of 9,442 lbs provides power for tough conditions. When it comes to small size, the model 324 has a hydraulically retractable undercarriage, going from a width of just 38.6 in. (for travel through gates and doorways) to a width of 53.7 in. (for more stable performance).

Tool carrier applies to almost any machine that Bobcat makes — mini excavator, skid steer, track loader, telehandler and compact tool carrier — so it only made sense that Bobcat would release two new attachments into its growing roster of tool carrier solutions — new planers and rock buckets. The company also embargoed two new loaders (the S850 skid steer loader and the T870 compact track loader) to July. To read about those, as well as expanded reviews and photo pictorials of the event, roll on over the Machine Works blog at www.ceunbound.com.