BOBCAT TARGETS WHEEL LOADER MARKET

In the wake of Bauma '95, the mood at Melroe Europe, manufacturer of the new 873 Bobcat skid steer, is slightly subdued. Ingersoll-Rand's bid for parent company Clark Equipment has been accepted, and nobody is quite sure of the US giant's plans for Melroe. Rumours at Bauma hinted at a possible tie-up with Caterpillar, but to date this has been denied.

One thing is certain, Bobcat's latest skid steer, the 873 - on show at Bauma - is targeted at the small wheel loader sector.

According to Bobcat's UK sales manager, Mike Day, specific competitors include JCB's 406, and models from manufacturers Kramer and Zettelmeyer.

Offering increased lift capacity, lift height and reach, the 3.2t Bobcat has a rated operating capacity of 1,043 kg. This together with a tipping load exceeding 2t, not only enables it to handle Euro-pallets, but also allows it to work with high sided lorries.

Armed with a new four-cylinder, oil-cooled diesel engine from Deutz developing 54.8kW, the 873 is capable of travelling at a speed of 13.5km/h. In addition to its healthy travel speed, Bobcat's robust addition is equipped with a low profile bucket and has a reach of 1,032mm and a lift height of 3,158mm.

The 873's enhanced specifications are achieved through a lengthening of the loader's wheelbase and the development of multiple linkage arms - first introduced on the 773 model.

The 873 retains the versatility of other Bobcat machines, being equipped with the Bob-Tach quick change system. All attachments used on the 853, bar planer and saw attachments, can be used on the new model.

Standard equipment for the 873 includes the Bobcat Operation Sensing System (BOSS), the on-board monitoring and diagnostic system protecting major machine components from costly failures, and the recently introduced Bobcat Interlock Control System (BICS), which uses electronic technology to automatically shut off lift and tilt hydraulics and traction drive in potentially dangerous conditions. BICS became a standard feature on all Bobcat skid steers from the beginning of this year.

Auxiliary hydraulic flow for powering certain attachments, such as grapples, augers or backhoes, is not affected by BICS.

To date, Bobcat's skid steer product line-up consists of 11 models, ranging in operating weight from 1,067 to 4,062kg with tipping loads from 575 to 2,201kg.

With the completion of extensions to its Gwinner manufacturing plant scheduled for the end of the year, Bobcat's 1996 manufacturing capacity for skid steers, will be better placed to accommodate the company's recent surge in sales.

Since 1992, sales of skid steers, according to James Kertz, president of Melroe Europe, have grown 50%. Bobcat's current share of the skid steer market in Europe is 50%.

Predicting growth in the small wheel loader market, Gui Keuppens, managing director of Melroe Europe, is confident that the 873 - designed to work longer hours, up to 500 between oil changes, is well placed to take advantage of it. Other new models to be released later in the year are the 863 and 963.

In addition to developments in its skid steer range, Bobcat has been busy improving the performance of its 2.7t and 3.3t mini excavators.

The breakout force of the Bobcat X-325 is increased to 2.04kN from 1.75kN, and the Bobcat X-331 has a breakout force of 3.19kN - 0.84kN higher than previous models.

Last year, Melroe's share of the European mini-excavator market reached 13%.