Bobcat’s two new compact‑loader lineups spotlight upgraded control tech designed to make operation easier.
An optional “virtual assistant” lets drivers adjust settings through speech and automation, a timely upgrade as skilled labor grows scarce. And by 2031, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers projects 41% of the U.S. construction workforce could retire.
“One of the major drivers of our loader evolution is accelerating the pace of innovation across our lineup,” said Brad Claus, Bobcat’s senior vice president of North America construction equipment. By realigning its series categorization, Bobcat plans to “release innovations more frequently at the model level, without waiting for an entirely new series to launch. And with new technologies in place, we can deliver meaningful updates to customers more often.”
Equipment categories
The two new lineups are Classic and Pro. The Classic includes the T450, T595, T650 and T770, alongside the S70, S450, S590, S650 and S770 skid-steer loaders.
The Pro series includes the T64-2, T66-2, T76-2 and T86-2 compact track loaders, and skid-steer loader models S64-2, S66-2, S76-2 and S86-2.
Compared to the Classic models, Pro models have:
- four drive modes
- strategic weight reductions and structural changes for better agility
- heated seats
- a touchscreen display with infotainment
- additional storage
Of note, the newly evolved T86-2 and S86-2 “set a new benchmark with 115 hp and a 12-foot lift height,” according to a product statement. Bobcat is also introducing technology that gives drivers more awareness via camera- and radar-based systems that can automatically detect objects and stop the machine.
“This launch isn’t just about new machines, it’s about how people work,” Claus said. “By giving operators more choice, more control and smarter technology, we’re building equipment that adapts alongside the workforce and the jobsites of tomorrow.”
The newly enhanced loader models will be available at select North American dealerships beginning this summer. To see the new machines, visit bobcat.com.