Innovative Iron Award: Bobcat’s New Telescoping L35 Small Articulated Loader Is Its Most Powerful Yet

Compact Equipment’s annual Innovative Iron Awards spotlight the year’s most game-changing compact machines, attachments and technologies. The 2025 class showcases major leaps in electrification, smarter control systems, automation, telematics and operator comfort. From battery-powered loaders and ultra-efficient mini excavators to intelligent hydraulic systems, self-leveling booms and climate-controlled cabs, these award winners reflect how innovation is reshaping performance, safety and sustainability across jobsites. Each honoree delivers measurable improvements — longer runtimes, faster cycles, lower emissions and better visibility — proving that compact equipment is evolving faster than ever. The future of earthmoving is here, and it’s smarter, cleaner and more connected. Here’s one of our 2025 Innovative Iron Award winners. Congrats!

Bobcat raised the bar in the small articulated loader category in 2025 with the launch of the L35, its most powerful SAL to date. The new machine delivers a significant jump in lift capacity and hydraulic performance while maintaining the compact size and turf-friendly operation contractors expect from articulated loaders. Designed for landscaping, construction, grounds maintenance and rental work, the L35 brings more muscle, more reach and a more comfortable cab to jobs that demand strength without sacrificing maneuverability.

“The L35 was meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional performance and an unparalleled operator experience,” said Katie Redenius, senior product manager, Bobcat Company, said in the press launch. “This machine strikes the perfect balance, offering heavy-lifting performance with a light footprint, all while prioritizing operator comfort with a cab built for long days on the job.”

Power, Performance and Comfort

The new Bobcat L35 delivers a rated operating capacity of 2,072 lbs, powered by a 57-hp turbocharged engine. Despite the power jump, the machine measures only 54 in. wide with a standard bucket, allowing operators to work in confined spaces with minimal turf disruption. A telescoping lift arm extends to nearly 115 in. and uses a dual parallel-leveling system to reduce material spillage and improve cycle times. The L35 also features the category’s trademark articulated steering, providing tight turning ability without tearing up lawns or landscaping. The L35 continues Bobcat’s focus on operator-friendly cabs. The new model includes:

• Standard heat and air conditioning
• Enhanced legroom and a sound-dampening headliner
• Ample storage and USB connectivity
• Optional Power Bob-Tach for quick attachment changes from the cab

The result is a machine designed for long workdays in landscaping, construction, grounds maintenance or rental operations.

Built for Versatility

Bobcat’s latest SAL can pair with more than 60 attachments, including grapples, pallet forks, and snowblowers. Optional high-flow hydraulics expand the range even further, helping operators handle heavier, more demanding tools. This flexibility allows the L35 to tackle everything from paver installation and sod work to tree care and snow removal — making it one of the most versatile compact machines in Bobcat’s fleet.

How It Compares to Bobcat’s Other SALs

The L35 rounds out Bobcat’s SAL lineup, joining the L23 and L28 models.

• L23: Compact with a fixed lift arm, 1,395-lb ROC and an 85.4-in. lift height — great for tight backyards and material handling.
• L28: Adds a telescoping arm and a 1,534-lb ROC for higher reach and trailer loading.
• L35: Ups the ante with 2,072-lb ROC, 57-hp engine and nearly 115-in. lift height — built for operators needing more muscle without sacrificing maneuverability.

Together, these three loaders give contractors multiple options depending on lift requirements, surface sensitivity and jobsite size.

Coming Soon

The Bobcat L35 hits dealerships across North America in November 2025. For more specs and dealer locations, visit bobcat.com/dealer. And if you want to understand how Bobcat’s SAL lineup evolved, check out our Machine Heads video interview with Katie Redenius of Bobcat, where we cover the L23 and L28 in detail. Watch it above or on our Compact Equipment YouTube channel, where you should subscribe. Really you should.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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