Bobcat’s first compact wheeled loader, the L85, is now in full production after the first machine rolled off the production line. By entering the wheeled loader category, the brand claims it has the largest loader portfolio of any manufacturer in the world, and to meet demand a fourth production line has been built at the at the company’s plant at Dobris, in the Czech Republic. The capacity of the new production line is about 1,000 machines annually.
“A product of the Bobcat Innovation Center on our Dobris campus, the L85 has been designed to set a new market-leading performance benchmark in this segment of the market,” the company’s loaders product manager, Jiri Karmazin, said. “The L85 is built with proven components including the engine, structures, axles, electronics and hydraulics sourced either from Bobcat or our prestigious Tier 1 suppliers. Many components are already widely used in our compact loaders, mini-excavators and telehandlers, and the L85 undergoes the same final assembly and test procedures as these products.”
The new model’s performance is assured by the combination of the 68hp Bobcat engine and the machine’s hydraulics, which have an optional maximum flow of 100 lit/min. This is complemented by high stability, breakout, push and pull forces, and a comprehensive selection of Bobcat attachments. Combined with intuitive controls, high operator comfort and ease of use, the L85 compact wheel loader is ideal for a multitude of tasks in a very wide range of industries.
L85 basic specifications:
- Standard bucket: 0.8 cubic metres
- Bucket options: 0.6 to 1.2 cubic metres
- Operating weight: 5,091 kg
- Lift height: 3,250 mm
- Cab height: 2,498 mm
- Engine: Bobcat D24
- Engine power: 68hp
There are already multiple Bobcat loader attachments approved for use on the L85, with more to be announced in the near future. The current portfolio includes a general purpose bucket, light material buckets, a combination bucket, pallet forks, angle broom and snowblower attachments, making the L85 a truly multi-purpose machine. The L85 is equipped as standard with the Power Quick-Tach system compatible with widely used industry standard couplers.
A unique feature of the L85 is its Advanced Attachment Control. This system enables the operator to switch to an alternative machine control pattern at the touch of a button. This offers independent control of the engine speed (and maximum auxiliary flow) and the machine travel speed. Utilising a seven-pin connector, the operator can control even the most complicated attachments intuitively and effectively.
The engine is generally started by the standard key, but for quick engine start and stop during the day, the operator can also use soft-touch buttons conveniently located on the right-hand console. The machine is also equipped with Automatic Parking Brake and Slope Assist features, ensuring the parking brake on the L85 is automatically engaged and disengaged as required. These automotive-style features are unique in the industry for this type of machine.
The location of all the controls is designed to make the L85 easy and comfortable to operate even during long shifts. The direction-changing switch [Forward-Neutral-Reverse] is located on the front side of the joystick and is index-finger operated. Controls for differential lock, turtle/rabbit mode, boom float and auxiliary flow control are all at the operator’s fingertips on the top of the joystick.
The jog shuttle is used to reach, navigate and confirm the set-up of the L85 on the five-inch LED display, and also to switch quickly to the view provided by the rear-view camera. All the machine’s vital information display and set-up screens are managed via the jog shuttle.
Designed around the operator, the cab on the L85 provides high comfort and easy operation. Seat and hand controls can be easily adjusted to fit the operator’s needs. The joystick’s position is adjustable horizontally and integrated in the operator’s suspension seat to assure the best operation experience and comfort. The steering column is also adjustable in two directions – horizontal and vertical – a feature said to be unique among compact wheeled loaders. The cab is fully enclosed and pressurised, meeting the strictest FOPS II safety requirements.
There are two full glass doors either side of the cab, providing excellent visibility. This is combined with the low front window corners, the hood design that offers both toughness and high visibility, the output from the rear-view camera and the tight turning circle. This ensures that even less-experienced operators can quickly begin using the machine, manipulating loads and moving around the work site with confidence.
Soft switches to control the main functions of the L85 are located on the right-hand console, and there’s plenty of storage space for large water bottles and cups, as well as a 12-volt charger and USB ports.
The L85 is equipped as standard with heating, and a full heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is also available as a factory option. As well as ensuring the best working conditions all year round, the HVAC system helps with defrosting and reducing humidity in the cab during cold weather.
Other comfort and performance features available include:
- High-flow hydraulics
- Automatic Ride Control
- Bucket Level Indicator
- LED road lights
- 30km/hr speed option
- Wheel options
- Road package
