Bobcat order placed

Gatorboy · Dec 13, 2001

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Harv,

The Bobcat 873 has a vertical lift path, which can reach 10.3 feet (at the pin). The lift rating is 2400 lbs. What I liked about the 873 is the long (if you can call it long) wheelbase. It is 48.8", which is pretty long compared to the x53 and x63 series models. It also has the 73HP Deutz engine.

The dealer rents pretty much all of the attachments, but I do plan on getting myself the "digger" and "auger" attachments.

I know Mark Chalkley does not think well of the SSL, and has fallen in love with the Earthforce -- though I was considering the Earthforce, I opted for the Bobcat.

I am going to start my first big project on my land this spring -- a 30'x72' pole barn. A 24x30 section will be enclosed, and the remaining 48x30 will be open. I am going to try and get the building area scraped, and graded before the ground freezes here in Maryland -- so that I am ready to go in the Spring with building of the barn.

Dave "Gatorboy" Hoffmann

Gatorboy · Dec 13, 2001

Re: Bobcat has arrived

For starters --

- Grading for my pole barn
- Digging the abutments for the bridge I need to build
- Building 1500' driveway
- Trenching electric line (1800')
- Digging my basement for my home
- Dig for septic tank and field

I am sure I will come up with some more uses. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Dave "Gatorboy" Hoffmann

BobT · Dec 13, 2001

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Hi Gatorboy,

Mighty, mighty nice piece of equipment. Congratulations. Real excellent pictures that show off all the angles nicely. Keep us posted on your project with photo updates.

I like that US of A flag on there too! Real smart looking machine. Makes me want one real bad.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

MossRoad · Dec 13, 2001

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Check out the grin on that dude! Now there's a happy man.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

MChalkley · Dec 13, 2001

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Dave - Awesome looking machine, and great pics! I'm sure you'll keep us posted on all the stuff you're doing with it.

I hope to have some pick-up and enhancement pics of my EF-5 by next Monday or Tuesday, too.

MarkC

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Hi Dave, I've got a Bobcat question for you. The manual for my 753 G-series says to use the bucket float position only in reverse and that this feature is for smoothing gravel, etc. Yet, it would seem to me that the float position would be ideal for many attachments going forward so that the implement would conform to the contours of the land. Two examples would be snow removal with the bucket and using a mower. Otherwise, the operator would be constantly trying to follow the ground contour by raising and lowering the lift arms with the left foot pedal, which doesn't sound easy. Do you know of any reason the float position should not be used going forward? Thanks for offering any experience or knowledge you may have. - alf

Gatorboy · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Bobcat has arrived

I am by no means an expert on my Bobcat as of yet, but based on my little experience, I don't think using float for removing snow would be that great of an idea. How you would use the bucket would be to have the bucket down all the way, and then adjust the bucket tilt for getting the proper level. Once you stuff the front of the blade in float, I don't believe it will come up, but rather bite down. Once you "lift" the bucket, float is disengaged.

For the mowing attachment however, I would think that would work ok going forward, for there should be wheels guiding the mower up/down without digging in. But I would assume that the mower attachment already has some sort of "floating" ability.

MossRoad · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Bobcat has arrived

The same thing happens on an FEL in float. You just have to roll the bucket back until the leading edge clears the ground, then, in float, it should just ride along using the bottom rear of the bucket as a skid. It will leave a little snow on the drive, but usually no more than an inch or so.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Bobcat has arrived

Exactly what I was thinking, MossRoad. So the question remains, why does the Bobcat manual say to float the bucket only when driving backwards? (Maybe I should start a new thread?)