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. Upgraded loader features apply key 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. Other upgraded features include:
Increased breakout and lift forces. 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, notes Bobcat. The iT4-equipped T870 will have nearly 17 percent more lift breakout force than the Tier 3 model.
Less noise, better fuel consumption. For Bobcat loaders equipped with Selectable Joystick Controls, an optional auto-idle function is available. The feature automatically activates, causing the engine rpm to drop to idle if a loader’s functions are not used within five seconds.
Horsepower management updates. 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.
New M-Series loader hydraulic control valve. A new hydraulic control valve allows use of the tilt function—rolling out or rolling back an attachment—regardless of auxiliary system pressure.
M-Series instrument panel updates. 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.
Machine performance displays. The 5-in., 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.
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel (15 parts per million). As with all iT4 emissions controls technologies, only ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel may be used in iT4 compliant 700 and 800 frame-size loaders.