August 2, 2012, West Fargo, N.D. - Building on the productivity of the Bobcat 700 and 800 frame-size loaders, significant upgrades have been made to the skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and all-wheel steer loader. These changes incorporate greater machine performance through enhancements such as increased breakout and lift forces, better horsepower management, shorter cycle times and simplified display navigation.

Bobcat Company has also continued to take steps toward complying with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) diesel engine emissions standards by adopting a systems approach to simultaneously achieve standards compliancy and improved machine performance. Upgraded loader features apply interim Tier 4 (iT4) technologies to provide enhanced loader functionality and reporting for machines with horsepower ranging from 75 to 174.

Machines in this horsepower class include Bobcat’s 700 and 800 frame-size loaders, consisting of seven M-Series loaders: the S750, S770, and S850 skid-steer loaders; the A770 all-wheel steer loader; and the T750, T770 and T870 compact track loaders.

Bobcat 800 frame-size loaders (S850 and T870) have been equipped with increased hydraulic pressures and industry-leading breakout and lift forces, resulting in shortened digging cycles. The increased lift and tilt forces on the S850 and T870 will improve machine efficiency in lifting pallets, concrete pieces and wet clay or dirt, and rolling them back to the carry position with less machine effort. For example, the iT4-equipped T870 will have nearly 17 percent more lift breakout force than the Tier 3 model.

For Bobcat loaders equipped with Selectable Joystick Controls, an optional auto-idle function is available. Auto idle allows for quieter overall operation and reduced fuel consumption. This feature automatically activates, causing the engine rpm to drop to idle if a loader’s functions are not used within five seconds. With the optional deluxe instrument panel, operators can set a preferred activation time between four and 240 seconds.

The new iT4 engines can interpret information that will allow horsepower management — a standard feature of Bobcat Selectable Joystick Controls — to be based on engine torque instead of engine rpm. This minimizes engine stalling and provides additional travel speed at low-mid engine rpm.

A new hydraulic control valve allows use of the tilt function — rolling out or rolling back an attachment — regardless of auxiliary system pressure. This change makes it easier to operate attachments like: planers, wheel saws, grapples, tillers, etc.

All deluxe instrument panels in M-Series loaders, including 600 frame-size loaders not affected by iT4 in 2012, will provide simplified navigation and more in-depth information regarding operator and machine performance. Operators can set three different drive response modes and select them with simple push-button controls in the left panel information area.

The 5-inch, full-color LCD screen now offers a display screen titled Machine Performance, which provides three functions — viewed only by owner-level individuals — to assist with monitoring key data to determine productivity rates by operators and other project metrics. Those functions include user login information, overall job statistics and user job statistics.

New screens viewed by all users include vital information such as real-time fuel consumption and emissions data. A simplified panel viewed by all users, includes simple universal icons such as the Home screen button.