Bobcat 6500?

[JATO_RaT]

As a subscriber to Bobcats informational updates, a new top secret tractor is in the works. Just what is it? They only tease us on the top secret list but it sounds very interesting.

This from their website:
Design mandates for the 5600:

Power. Approximately 40 HP. Needs good pulling force and 4WD.
Attachments. High attachment performance, easy to change and positioned for best visibility.
Steering. Must be able to turn sharp, but be gentle on turf.
Cargo. Space to carry tools, supplies and bulky cargo.
Speed. Move between worksites quickly, without trailering.
Ergonomics. Easy to operate. Controls that everybody is familiar with.


Sounds very cool and will look forward to hearing from them. When I get the info, I'll pass it on as I am on the "Top Secret" list with Bobcat....

Rat.....

 

[bubenberg]

Hi Rat,

here is your top secret information but no price info.

http://www.perimeterbobcat.com/versaH.htm

 

[MossRoad]

Kind of sounds like an Earth Force.

 

[JATO_RaT]

h.r., I don't thats it. The Versahandler has actually been out for some time. The Bobcat 5600 is still being designed. From the email I received, my impression is that it is some kind of compact tractor. Maybe I'm reading it wrong but with the aquisition of EarthForce which is no longer around if I understand correctly, I think that Bobcat or perhaps more accurately Ingersol Rand is getting into everything possible. The competition in skidsteers is enourmous now that Caterpillar and especially Thomas are also building them. The Thomas skidsteer is absolutely incredible, its power is awesome. Anyway, if I get any information, I'll pass it along providing its unclassified and a normal pee on like me can have it. Its definitely got me wondering. Rat...

 

[bubenberg]

Rat, you are correct, here is the investor info:IR Acquires Stock of Czech Manufacturer And U.S. Distributor of Compact Tractor Loader Backhoes
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ, July 3, 2001 -- Ingersoll-Rand Company (NYSE:IR), a leading diversified industrial firm, today announced that it has acquired the stock of Superstav, spol. s.r.o., a manufacturer of compact tractor loader backhoes based in Dobríš, Czech Republic, and the stock of Earth Force America, Inc., of Charleston, S.C., the United States distributor of Superstav products, which are marketed under the Earth Force brand. The businesses will become part of IR’s Bobcat unit, which manufactures compact equipment, including the world’s leading brand of skid-steer loaders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

[MossRoad]

Hans, don't you ever sleep? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

You often seem to find really good stuff on the internet. Thanks.

 

[bubenberg]

Charlie & Dave,
good news ... one of my customers makes prototype models and for the toy and hobbyist industry he makes scaled down models. he offered to help us develop attachments but once they go into production he would like to share in the royalties.

what do you think!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[MossRoad]

Sounds good to me. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

I just realized my dislexic mind placed 6500 in the subject window instead of 5600.

 

[Gatorboy]

Re: Bobcat 5600?

I edited the Subject, so as long as people respond to this message, the boo-boo will be corrected from 6500 to 5600.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Re: Bobcat 5600?

Bobcat sends this email update to me every so often called "engineers notes". Guess its their way of slowly introducing the new 5600. Here is their "TOP SECRET" notes area. The machine may not get much of anyones interest on this forum as its all pretty much non industrial stuff, but this tractor, if thats what it is, should be interesting. All wheel steer, may have a cab with AC. Rat...

http://www.bobcat.com/5600/notebook.html

 

[JATO_RaT]

The new product will be called the ToolcatTM 5600 Utility Work Machine.

Thats the official word I got from Bobcat. Guess what? It looks as though its going to be a two, yes 2, that's Dos seater. I went to the top secret site (they allow me in for some reason) looks very, I mean very, very nice. Steering is all four wheels, really nice cab, can handle boxblades, mowers etc. Looks like a super duper compact utility tractor with two seats. The pictures I saw are remarkable. I think I need one now. Rat...


Comments about a two seater:

Response from focus group member: "The second seat is by far one of the nicest things I like about utility vehicles. There's not many things I own that have two seats, and I really like that feature on that particular product."

Response from focus group member:

"A second seat would be handy for teaching someone how to use attachments with the 5600. Like driver's training. Say you wanted to show an employee how to run landscaping attachments, and the finer points of it."

 

[ScottAR]

Got any pics of the whole machine?

 

[JATO_RaT]

Nope, there are not any pictures available yet. I forgot to mention that this tractor will also have a full suspension to all four wheels. The reason was not just to give a better ride but to give better tire to ground contact. It will have a 44 HP Kubota diesel. Rat...

 

[billfires]

Rat, I found an article with a picture at this site http://www.coneq.com/bobcat11-02.asp
Bill C

 

[MossRoad]

There's some more pictures in the attachments box at the bottom right of the page. Shows it with a mower, laser guided box blade and soil conditioner.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Thanks Bill, it's pretty cool. It certainly deviates from the traditional tractor or utility vehicle yet kinda does both. It has a top speed of about 15 mph, reasonable loader lift qualities and looks like it will accept many of Bobcats attachments. The soil conditioner or landscape rake looks very much like the Glenmac/Harley. I'm curious about the noise level. Will it have to be run at the traditional high RPM's to develop the hydraulic flow found with the skid steers. Rat..

P.S. My wife has been interested in an ATV. I posted asking about the JD Gator, but hey, here's another option. I can see me explaining it now: "but honey, when you plant the bulbs, you can just sit in the vehicle, drill a bunch of holes, turn around and dump them in with the built in carrier, its so much easier."

 

[JATO_RaT]

Heres the website for the Bobcat 5600

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bobcat.com/5600/notebook.html/>http://www.bobcat.com/5600/notebook.html/</A>