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New Bobcat track loaders and graders at ECL Civil Engineering

Bedford-based ECL Civil Engineering Ltd has purchased two new Bobcat T86 compact track loaders with matching GPS controlled grading attachments from Versatile Equipment Ltd, the local Authorised Dealer for Bobcat throughout South East England. Over the last three decades, ECL has grown from being a groundworks services company to an ambitious and continually growing national civil engineering provider, with an annual turnover of more than £100 million.

Steve Wright, Plant Manager at ECL, said: “Our Managing Director, Sean Hoare, is a strong believer in the training and development of our staff, ensuring that we have the tools such as the new T86 that we need to complete our work to the highest expectations and standards that ECL strive for. Guided by Sean, we take pride in being the first in the UK to integrate this cutting-edge technology into a fleet like ours. This innovation not only boosts productivity but also enhances work quality, ushering in a new era of efficiency and excellence for our operations and clients alike.

“At ECL, we see the Bobcat T86 Compact Track Loader as a very effective compact dozer due to its optimised weight-to-horsepower ratio that makes it one of the most powerful and productive machines in its class. The T86 with Super Flow Hydraulic capabilities allows for even more versatility and productivity as a tool carrier, working with a wider range of attachments across all applications in construction, landscaping, forestry and many other areas. As an illustration of this flexibility, we had one of the T86s supplied with a Forestry Kit fitted by Versatile and we have that one running with the Bobcat FRC150 Hi-Flow Forestry Mulcher attachment.”

Delivering a higher engine and hydraulic output, the Bobcat T86 is the most powerful compact track loader the company has ever built. The T86 uses a well-proven Stage V compliant 3.4 l Bobcat engine – producing 78 kW (105 HP) at 2600 RPM, providing more power than many other machines of its size. Just like all of Bobcat’s R-Series loaders, the engine is mounted in-line with direct drive, which improves the cooling capacity of the engine and hydraulic components.

Sean and Steve worked with Phil Stoneham, Area Sales Manager at Versatile Equipment on the purchase of the T86 compact track loaders. Phil added: “The in-line engine on the T86 increases reliability in high-intensity applications such as forestry work and to take advantage of this, one of the T86 loaders is equipped with a Bobcat forestry application kit, which is required when using the machine with a forestry mulcher. As part of the order, ECL has also purchased Bobcat 4-in-1 bucket, pallet fork and high tip bucket attachments from Versatile Equipment.” 

Steve Wright continued: “With the addition of the GPS Control Grading kit on the T86, we’re elevating grading performance by being able to achieve a remarkable precision of 3 mm or one-tenth of an inch. The Clear-View Cab on the T86 loaders maximises visibility, ensuring the best possible view of the tracks and the corners of the machines and a 360-degree safety camera system provides a full view of the surroundings. 

“This advancement and enhanced engine and hydraulic horsepower contribute to not only greater lifting capabilities and impressive breakout forces but also means we can efficiently and accurately complete tasks faster and safer than ever before.”

Steve Wright added: “The Bobcat T86 is also one of only a few on the market to offer three different auxiliary hydraulic flow options, ensuring powerful hydraulic performance for a range of advanced attachments tailored to specific tasks.

“There is a standard flow configuration providing 87 l/min for applications such as load and carry, or where low hydraulic flow attachments are used. The T86 units also offer two additional hydraulic performance functions using the new Electronic Displacement Control (EDC) Pump on the T86: a High Flow function giving 138 l/min and a new industry unique Super Flow function taking auxiliary flow to 159 l/min.”

The Five Coupler Block (standard with the Super Flow function) provides a flexible approach to running different attachments. From one common source, the operator can attach both standard or high flow approved attachments to the smaller sized ½ inch quick couplers. Then when using Super Flow, the use of the ¾ inch couplers allows maximum performance and productivity from the approved advanced attachments.

Both High Flow and Super Flow options come integrated with Bobcat’s unique ‘Plug & Play’ attachment control device (ACD). The T86 machines also have Power Bob-Tach Attachment systems as standard. The Power Bob-Tach is an added comfort and productivity feature that allows some attachments to be connected and removed without the operator leaving the seat, just using the switches conveniently located in the cab - it is optional on Standard Flow machines.

In a host of applications across a wide range of markets, there are no other machines that offer the combination of versatility and productivity that can be provided by compact track loaders such as the T86. This is due to their unique characteristics as tool carriers and the wide array of attachments that they can work with, from trenchers, augers, graders, soil conditioners, scarifiers and dozer blades to more specialist attachments such as forestry cutters and stump grinders.

As tool carriers, compact track loaders offer many advantages over the comparable wheeled machines. They can provide increased productivity in many conditions with a lifting capacity approximately 25% more than the equivalently sized wheeled loaders.

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