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The Bobcat Demo Days, which have been held since 2011, attracted more than 700 dealers, suppliers, customers and journalists from Europe, the Middle East and Africa to the European headquarters in Dobříš, Czech Republic, from May 21 to June 6. GWW/Bouwmat was on hand to enjoy themselves among nearly a hundred machines, including several novelties.
During the 2024 edition of the Demo Days, visitors were able to get a closer look at the broad product range of this American manufacturer. On display were two concept studies, which were recently shown off at the Intermat trade fair in Paris. The TL25.60e is Bobcat's interpretation of an electric telescopic handler, with almost 6 meters of working range and a maximum lifting capacity of 2.5 tons. Although still a concept, we were able to drive around the demo site and experience that the compact telehandler, thanks to three separate electric motors, looks a fraction faster and more powerful than the diesel version.
With the RogueX2, the brand is launching a future vision of the autonomous skid-steer loader. This cab- and emission-free study model is packed with Operator Presence technology, such as cameras to detect persons around the machine and the latest generation of Digital Access software. Bobcat sees more demand for such safety systems and proudly displayed its testing ground for innovative technologies. For example, visitors could experience working with an S76 skid-steer loader with radar sensors at the rear. If these detect an obstacle - in this case, a crowd barrier - the machine automatically stops at the set distance, ranging from a few meters to centimeters.
An L75 wheel loader was equipped with intelligent cameras at the rear and under the headlights. Using AI, these detect only people. As a result, the operator does not hear a beep every so often and is only alerted when real danger is imminent. Bobcat is also experimenting with a system for excavators in which a camera is pointed at the operator. If the operator removes a hand from the levers to talk on the phone or acts dangerously, for example, by operating the machine while standing in the opening of the windshield, the machine automatically stops.
Although the brand has been building mini- and midi-excavators for nearly 40 years, Bobcat is primarily synonymous with skid-steer loaders. The first type debuted at the Minnesota State Fair in 1958 and immediately attracted a lot of interest. Melroe Manufacturing Company further developed the three-wheel loader into one with four-wheel drive, the M400. This formed the basis for the unprecedented success story of the skid steer, especially in North America. Because of the speed, maneuverability and ruggedness of this compact loader, the brand name was later renamed Bobcat and to this day the head of a lynx adorns the popular machines.
In 2014, the 1 millionth skid-steer loader rolled out of the factory. It represents one of the milestones in the manufacturer's recent history. Since its acquisition by Doosan in 2007, the product portfolio has expanded significantly, emphatically establishing Bobcat as a full-liner. In 2020, for example, the Compact Wheel Loaders and Light Compaction Line made their debut, followed in 2022 by the introduction of Compact Tractors, and starting this year, Doosan's forklifts and portable power systems (formerly Ingersoll-Rand) will continue under the Bobcat banner, with a choice of just under 200 forklifts and 60 air compressors, mobile power units or light towers.
That expansion is not hurting the manufacturer financially, annual figures show. Last year, Doosan Bobcat Inc. realized sales of nearly $7.5 billion, representing an increase of 12% over 2022. Net profit even increased by a whopping 41.6% to $705 million. With the recent launch of a revamped series of Stage V rotary telehandlers (Made by Magni), Bobcat expands its telehandler offering to a total of 31 models. The range also includes several models of articulated loader, excavator/loading combination and garden and park equipment in addition to all the previously mentioned machine types.
By bringing together the Doosan Portable Power (DPP) and Doosan Industrial Vehicle (DIV) models and the Steiner (mini tractors), Ryan (lawn care equipment) and Bob-CAT (zero-turn mowers) brands incorporated by Bobcat under a single brand name in the familiar white and red house style, Bobcat expects to increase the brand value and experience of the total product range. This "rebranding" should increase brand awareness, making the brand more attractive to more customers in more markets. With this in mind, the manufacturer hopes to further increase market share in the future.
The Innovation Center in Dobrˇíš plays a crucial role in Bobcat's ambitious growth plans. Out of sight of prying eyes, engineers and designers work closely together here to launch new models and technologies. In the adjacent factory hall, Bobcat builds twelve skid-steer loader models, five types of compact tracked loader, three compact wheel loaders and eighteen mini and midi-excavators from 1 to 9 tons, all now developed in-house. On an annual basis, about 25,000 machines roll off the assembly line in the Czech Republic. This includes as many excavators as loaders. Approximately 1,700 employees work there.
The Demo Days 2024 made it clear once again that electrification and digitization are the keywords towards the future. When it comes to emission-free work, Bobcat is already making waves with the E10e and E19e mini excavators. This will soon be joined by a compact telehandler in the form of the TL25.60e. At the demo site we had a great time with these three, whose performance is in no way inferior to the diesel-powered versions. In fact, in practice, the electric models operate a fraction faster and the operator also enjoys much more peace and quiet in the cab.
When it comes to implementing new technologies, Bobcat is putting many a competitor at a disadvantage. Although here, too, autonomous running machines are still some time away, with the RogueX2, the manufacturer shows it is embracing such things as robotics, virtual reality (VR) and automatic recognition of gestures, people or obstacles to improve safety on the construction site. Another groundbreaking innovation is the transparent OLED screen, developed in conjunction with LG and BSI Research. T-OLED maps simulations for utility lines, for example, in real time, without the operator having to take his eyes off the job site.
Incidentally, the RogueX2 shows that Bobcat has every confidence that there is still a future in the skid-steer loader concept, even if, following Europe's lead, this machine type is now losing ground to compact wheel loaders in North America as well. That has not discouraged the brand from introducing the M-Series S630 and S650 at the upper end of the segment. Both models feature a D24 Stage V engine with Bosch fuel injection system, guaranteeing superior performance under the toughest conditions while meeting the most stringent emission regulations.
The PG40 and PG50 generators represent a leap forward in portable power solutions and offer the advantage of an optional chassis for easy transport and Liquid Heat, a low-load management system designed to reduce downtime and provide greater peace of mind. The FlexAir system allows the PA12.7v compressor to operate variably in the pressure range from 5.5 to 12.1 bar, with free air deliveries from 5.2 to 7 m³/min. This makes it one of the most versatile air compressors on the market, suitable for a wide range of applications.
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