Bobcat Compact Tractor

[kevanos]

I thought that the Bobcat tractor would have at least different sheet-metal from the Kioti/Daedong, but they look identical!

As for the conversation about whether Bobcat, Kioti, Mahindra and Cub Cadet Yanmar would last, I think they probably all will. Kioti has been here for at least 20 years, Mahindra at least 15, and Cub Cadet has an established reputation, (although I think it's been going downhill).

Mahindra is currently the 3rd largest tractor manufacturer/marketer in the world, and is set to become #1 in the next year or two, believe it or not. They currently sell under three brand names with a fourth as a joint venture marketing company. In the USA, they import not only from their home plants in India, but also import and rebadge Mitsubishi's from Japan, and Tong Yang's from S.Korea.

Cub Cadet used to import Mitsubishi's, but switched to Daedong machines (8000 series) and some they assembled using Daihatsu engines. The joint with Yanmar is interesting as Yanmar still builds compacts for John Deere! Yanmar, of course, used to import their own tractors to the US in the 80s.

The other compacts that we've seen come and go are mainly the Chinese ones. Anyone can order a crate of tractors from one of the more than 50 factories in China, sell them, and then be out of business within a year.

However, we've seen other, more established brands on the world market, not make it here... Lamborghini, Hurlimann, Same (all owned by Same Deutz-Fahr, which continues with the DF brand in the USA).

I'd keep an eye on Montana, Farmtrac, Mahindra, McCormick/Landini... they all seem to really be making inroads and seem committed.

Branson, by Kukje in S.Korea, (also a supplier/licensee of John Deere), seems to be holding its own.

Belarus, Zetor, TYM... not so sure.

 

[GLLinMO]

Bobcat has a very good brand name + established dealer network. I do not know how they position themselves in the skid steer market, but from my conversation at a dealer, I do not think they see themselves as a "seller of chepaer tractors". More like a "seller of the repsected/established/quality Bobcat brand name from a major dealer". Not priced to buy market share, but to uphold their brand value with a high name-brand price. they seem to ignore any comparisons to Kioti. Not a bad plan for the long term.

 

[bandit67]

I had a chance to take a look at the new Bobcats at the National Western Stock show here in Denver last weekend. Nice enough machine but they definetly need to do some dealer training. Also there price was way to high for a company trying to get market share. Quote was in the 18 1/2k range on the 25 horse model. Biggest laugh was I asked him what the specs were on the loader and he changed the subject to point out there nice cup holder.

I don't know why they even bothered having those 2 machines there. The guy I talked to was quoting the specs right off the cut sheet, and since there wasn't a cut sheet for the 25 hp machine, nor actual loader lift specs on the 230 cut sheet, he couldn't give me that info.

At least they were consistent with their overpricing - they told me 19k for the 30 hp machine w/loader. Guess they don't plan on getting much market share.

 

[john_bud]

Sounds like they are planning on selling to current skid customers that want a tractor and like one stop shopping/support.

Only time will tell if enough of that customer base is willing to pay more for the BC name.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Mahindra is currently the 3rd largest tractor manufacturer/marketer in the world, and is set to become #1 in the next year or two, believe it or not.

Don't believe it. I know they tell people that, but it simply can't be true. Their own website says they have a total manufacturing capacity of 120,000 units a year. Kubota alone sells double that in just the USA, which is not even half of their global sales... and Kubota's not even on the radar when it comes to being a large tractor manufacturer. The likes of CNH, Agco and Deere are somthing it would make Manhindra the next 50 years to achieve even given substantial levels of consistant growth.

 

[ovrszd]

My buddy Dan Crummett, the editor of Rural Life Magazine just returned from a Vegas show where Bobcat had some of their tractor line. Here's a link to his write-up. Bobcat Unveils Three New Compact Tractors | News | Rural Shop | Rural Life Magazine

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't believe it. I know they tell people that, but it simply can't be true. Their own website says they have a total manufacturing capacity of 120,000 units a year. Kubota alone sells double that in just the USA, which is not even half of their global sales... and Kubota's not even on the radar when it comes to being a large tractor manufacturer. The likes of CNH, Agco and Deere are somthing it would make Manhindra the next 50 years to achieve even given substantial levels of consistant growth.

I'm with Neil on this one.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'm with Neil on this one.

Neil is a shining example of truth and knowledge in all that he says. -- "IslandTractor"

 

[bandit67]

Neil is a shining example of truth and knowledge in all that he says. -- "IslandTractor"

Thanks for that insightful quote, "Island Tractor". It's obvious you hold Neil in very high regard.

 

[qed-cat225]

where in WI did you take these pix?

 

[davitk]

where in WI did you take these pix?

Bobcat of Madison.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for that insightful quote, "Island Tractor". It's obvious you hold Neil in very high regard.

I do, I really do. I just have to give him a little discount for being a Kubota dealer.

 

[fishpick]

Thanks for that insightful quote, "Island Tractor". It's obvious you hold Neil in very high regard.

Nahhh - he's just gunning for one of those Kubota replacement seats...

 

[tlbuser]

They are built by Kioti and virtually identical to the Kioti CK20, CK25 and CK30's except for paint and FEL. Assembled in the same factory. The Kioti's are excellent and there are lots of them out there already. Not much of a risk except for the FEL. I don't think the loader is as strong as the one sold by Kioti but if you like white rather than orange I don't think there is much risk.

Hopefully, Bobcat won't "screw the pooch" on Kioti's like they did the Earthforce line.

 

[caddison]

No reason to remove the loader...maybe you meant the bucket. That should be trivial. The issue is how to get a pin mount QA adapter for whatever pin spacing arrangement Bobcat has decided on for the loader. The loader is the one piece of the Bobcat tractor that is not sourced from Kioti so a Kioti bucket will not fit. You can get QA adapters for most pin mount FELs from places like ATI and Horst Welding (and others) but I don't know if any of them are manufacturing anything for the Bobcat specific pin mount QA adapter yet.

The other thing you could probably do is buy the Bobcat tractor and put an orange (Kioti) FEL on it. Should be a simple bolt on given the tractors are identical. You can definitely get QA adapters for the Kioti FELs. Of course if you were going to do that you might as well just do the whole deal with a Kioti dealer and have an orange tractor too.

I was referring to the bucket.....some of these loader can be a pain if you are not in good level ground.