CPN travels to Bobcat’s HQ and discovers the OEM has been pretty busy these past 12 months with an array of new machines and new technologies.
There were two major events going on in Czechia recently. One was the International Ice Hockey World Championship, the other was the annual Bobcat demo days event.
Amazingly the Czech team won the trophy on home soil, while Bobcat was winning over more than 700 distributors and customers who were invited to the event.
This year’s edition featured more than 90 demo models, including Bobcat’s brand-new lineup of material handling units, skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers, ground maintenance equipment, light compaction models and more, all available to ride and drive.
There were also glimpses of the future, such as the TL25.60e electric telehandler concept. The model, which is still in development and not yet commercially available, has a rated capacity of 2.5 tonne and a lifting height of almost 6m, matching the performance offered by its diesel-powered equivalent. With three separated electric motors designed to maximize efficiency, a hydrostatic transmission to boost performance, a maximum speed of 25km/h and the same super-compact dimensions as the conventional Bobcat TL25.60, the cutting-edge electric concept delivers low noise levels, minimal operating costs and impressive versatility.
Skid steer
From the selection of recently introduced machines on offer, CPN got into the seat of the M-Series S630 and S650 Stage V skid-steer loaders, which have been developed for use in European markets. The models’ D24 engines, which feature Bosch fuel-injection systems, deliver superior performance while adhering to strict emission regulations, enabling attendees to see Bobcat’s long-standing commitment to sustainable operations in action. Product manager, Jiri Karmazin, revealed that the S model “was back by popular demand” and that customers wanted a workhorse that was cheaper and less featured than the R model, adding that customers “can option it upwards” should they wish for more bells and whistles.
This year’s event also featured the new lineup of Bobcat rotary telehandlers, which deliver great visibility thanks to the patented panoramic cab. The latest range comprises nine Stage V models with lifting heights of between 18 and 39m that have been designed for European markets, and four Stage IIIA machines with lifting heights of 18 to 26m that have been developed for use in the Middle East and Africa.
Technology update
Attendees had the opportunity to experience Bobcat’s transparent OLED (T-OLED) screen technology, which has been developed in collaboration with LG and BSI Research. T-OLED enables operators to access an array of functionality without taking their eyes off the worksite, offering clarity, responsiveness and visibility. It also has the capacity to facilitate a range of more advanced applications, such as real-time virtual reality (VR) simulations for utility line mapping.
Bobcat also showcased its operator presence technology, a concept that is currently being developed for excavator models. Operator presence employs a 3D time-of-flight (ToF) camera – advanced technology more commonly utilized in emerging sectors such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, gesture recognition and virtual reality (VR) – to enhance safety by monitoring users’ movements and the wider cabin environment. By actively tracking the operator’s presence and interactions within the cabin, the system can prevent unintended machine actions, ensuring a safer work environment – especially in close quarters. It can also detect multiple occupants, instantly disable workgroups to avoid accidents and recognize when a joystick is released, deactivating the associated workgroup while maintaining drive. These proactive safety measures are designed to minimize the risk of accidents, improve operator control and, ultimately, enhance overall worksite efficiency.
The pedestrian detection camera was in action too. The device’s software is able to differentiate between humans and their surroundings thanks to its AI-enabled processing capabilities, helping to eliminate unnecessary operator alerts. The innovation’s database is also able to identify humans in different postures and positions, including standing, kneeling, crouching, sitting, with their backs turned, and even when they are only partially visible.
Also on show was Bobcat’s digital access software, an advanced system that allows operators to use smartphones as ‘keys’ to specific machines, providing an alternative to existing passcode entry functionality while ensuring units understand the preferences of their users before they begin work. In addition, this innovation enables fleet owners to lock out certain functionality or attachments in line with the respective skillsets of their employees.
In addition, Bobcat demonstrated how its construction lineup is delivering even greater levels of sustainability to users. The manufacturer’s mini-excavators, skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, telehandlers, rotary telehandlers, mini track loaders and forklifts have been approved for use with HVO biofuel and other EN 15940 standard paraffinic fuels.
Summing up the demo days event Jan Moravec, Vice President of Product, Bobcat EMEA, said: “Our team has introduced a diverse selection of models over the past 12 months, and we have been looking forward to giving our customers and partners the chance to try out Bobcat’s latest advancements in person.”
