Bobcat to be Big on Innovation at Bauma 2022

As the build up to Bauma 2022 continues, its time for us to start taking a look at some of the new products we might expect to see during the mighty Bavarian machine fest in Munich, starting with our friends over at Bobcat.

Bobcat will be presenting several new products and technological developments for the first time in public at the trade fair, many of which I personally witnessed during the Bobcat Demo Days event earlier this year.

The stand that always features an action-packed demo plot, will feature a comprehensive display of the manufacturers latest wheeled and tracked loaders, mini-excavators which includes four new additions in the 5 to 8 tonne categories in addition to the very latest R-series telehandlers, light compaction products and a number of new attachments.

The new S86 R-Series wheeled skid steer loader, and the T86 R-Series compact tracked loader are sure to feature and will replace the outgoing 700 and 800 M-Series models. These machines are described as the manufacturers most powerful compact loaders produced by Bobcat to date. Both machines use a well-proven Stage V compliant 3.4 l Bobcat engine – producing 78 kW (105 HP) @2600 rpm.

I was fortunate to put the T86 to the test during the demo days event and a full report will feature in a future edition of Earthmovers Magazine.

I also got to try out the new T7X Concept machine which is described as the World’s First All-Electric Compact Track Loader.

This beast of a machine features a 62-kWh lithium-ion battery pack which they suggest can give you four hours of continuous use. The machine also features a load-sensing power management system, which reduces or increases the power output needed for the specific task at hand. If more suited the operator can manually tune the machine to his own performance requirements.

Another stand out feature is that the machine has no traditional fluid hydraulics, the traditional set up has been replaced with an electrical drive system consisting of electric cylinders and electric drive motors.

Bobcat will also display the Semi-Autonomous E35 3.5-tonne electro hydraulically controlled mini-excavator at Bauma, we also saw this concept demonstrated at the demo days event. The controls can be customised for all levels of operator skill, and thanks to integrated sensors the machine can carry out some semi-automated tasks enabling operators to perform precise grading, trimming and levelling to a high standard, even for a novice operator.

Other concepts we expect to see at Bauma include Quad Tracks for skid steers, which are already a Bauma Innovation Award Winner, and the OLED Transparent Touch Display.

Checkout our video of the T7X at the Bobcat Demo Days event earlier this year.