Gulf Construction Online - Bobcat unveils site utility vehicle

Materials Handling

Pioneer ... impressive pulling power.

Bobcat unveils site utility vehicle

01 December 2002

Bobcat, which manufactures one of the widest selections of market-leading compact plant, has launched a new site utility vehicle called the Pioneer and upgraded one of its skid-steer loaders.

The Pioneer has an aluminium frame, chassis and cargo box floor, combining optimum corrosion resistance with a low overall operating weight and low ground pressure. Nevertheless, the vehicle has an impressive pulling capacity of 544 kg and the cargo box has a load capacity of 363 kg, says a company spokesman.

In addition to general utility applications on construction and building sites, the Pioneer is designed for load-and-carry work on landscaping work and other applications and can easily be transformed from construction to maintenance mode simply by replacing the heavy-duty, all-terrain, four-ply rated tyres with turf tyres for working on grass. Accessories include cabs, van boxes and electric or hydraulic lifts.

Two models of the vehicle are available: the Pioneer 900, driven by a 351 cc engine, and the Pioneer 1200, driven by a 400 cc engine. Either vehicle offers forward speeds ranging from 27 to 31 km/h and a tight turning circle with a radius of less than 3.6 m.

The transmission system on the vehicle is based on a unitised transaxle with an automatic CVT clutch. The independent front suspension is coupled with a semi-independent rear suspension, offering a smoother ride with increased stability and manoeuvrability.

As standard, the vehicle has four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, greatly reducing sliding and giving drivers confidence to tackle tricky conditions, even on slopes and wet terrain. A shift-on-the-fly differential lock allows the operator to lock in two drive wheels, providing extra traction on demand. The vehicle also has a multi-lock parking brake.

The new skid-steer S250 skid-steer loader is vertical lift path model and replaces the previous 873 model. "The S250 features several major enhancements, including a redesigned mainframe, loader arm, engine and hydraulic system," says the spokesman. "As a result, the S250 offers superior loader performance, up to 17 per cent faster cycle times, an improved Bob-Tach attachment system and a better working environment for the operator. The S250 is ideal for lift-and-carry work in construction, landscaping, builders merchants, nurseries and general rental applications."

He continues: "Like the 873 model, the S250 is equipped with a vertical lift path boom arm for increased capacity, lift height and reach and extends the Bobcat family of vertical lift path skid-steer loaders, alongside the existing S175 and S185 models.

''The design provides a superior lift height of 3.21 m and an increased dump angle of 42 degrees for easy loading into trucks. To meet the demands of the toughest applications, the lift arms on the S250 are now made from 8-mm-thick steel and the loader arm section has been increased to almost 95 mm.

"The S250 is powered by a new Kubota turbo-charged diesel engine providing a 4 per cent increase in engine power and a 14 per cent increase in engine torque over the 873 engine. By matching the engine with a more powerful hydraulic system featuring a 10 per cent increase in hydraulic pressure, the S250 offers even more productivity.

"The mechanical and hydraulic systems on the loader work in a truly complementary manner to produce enhanced hydraulic breakout forces - the hydraulic lift breakout force on the S250 is 28 kN, an increase of 31 per cent over the 873 and the bucket breakout force is now 30.4 kN, up by 46 per cent from the 873 model. The S250 also has an increased rated operating capacity of 1,200 kg.

"Alongside the notable performance increases, much attention has been paid to operator comfort, with new features and an even higher emphasis on safety and reliability. The new design on the lift arm and mainframe, whilst providing improved loader performance, also optimises forward and sidewards visibility. The visibility is excellent all-round the S250, but particularly at the working end of the loader - the attachment and the tyres. Operators therefore have an excellent view of the job they are working on from the cab of the S250, which offers optimal operator comfort.

''Around 40 job-matched attachments are available for use with the loader. The Bob-Tach system has been redesigned to improve the shedding of mud and debris. A hydraulic Power Bob-Tach system for faster attachment changes is just one of a wide selection of options on the S250, including the Advanced Control System (ACS), heating and air conditioning and a deluxe keyless ignition/anti-theft system.''