Bobcat UTVs

Montana_Jack · Jan 19, 2007

I just recieved the Bobcat worksaver mag which features their utility vehs. Their top of the line 2300 has a 20hp diesel engine, 800lb bed load capacity, 1,200lb total veh rated capacity & 25mph travel speed. It's 4X4 & has a rapid link attachment system for pallet forks, buckets, snow blades & whisker broom. Anybody have any experience with Bobcat, good, bad?? How does it stack up to Kubota & others as far as reliability, value etc?

jcmseven · Jan 20, 2007

Jack,

I looked at them a little when I was trying to decide what I was going to do for a UTV. I have since decided to wait until the new XUV Gator comes out. There is a dealer of both Kubota and Bobcat equipment in Lenoir, NC, interestingly, Lenoir Tractor, who sells both side by side. In my comparo I stopped by there, as it is on the way to my parents' house. That dealer said the Kubota was the heavier-built machine for work but that they had not had trouble with the Bobcat. Certainly, the Bobcat offers nice attachments which are all usful. The front blade, which they had in stock, was really beefy in appearance and seemed VERY nice. Between those two, the Bobcat has the belt driven CVT and the Kubota is pure hydro. The diesel in the Bobcat is interestingly--a Kubota. The Bobcat has an aluminum body also, which inhibits corrosion. It is also a physically larger machine, and this is really notable when sitting side by side with the Kubota. I operated both machines and would say I liked the Bobcat's look and feel better. I did not like the fact it was several thousand more expensive. I believe these machines retail for about 14K and the attachments are pricey too. It was difficult for me to justify more money for a lighter-weight machine with less horsepower, although on appearance alone, the Bobcat wins hands down to me. But also to me, the JD XUV has promise to be the best of the lot. Fully lockable four wheel drive, 25 hp diesel and gas engine options, multiple attachments coming out over the next few months, a 30-35 mph top speed with a clutch tightener to keep speed constant and good looks, I believe it to be the way to go--so I wait. Hopefully though this helps at least a little with your question.

John M

rox · Jan 20, 2007

What kind of attachments are they going to offer on the JDXUV? I'll have to go take a look at that bobcat and see about the pallet forks, how that works that seems interesting.

rox · Jan 20, 2007

That Bobcat looks pretty nice. Wonder how much the attachments cost though/ The palletforks look really handy, jsut for pickingup stuff and moving it around.

jcmseven · Jan 20, 2007

Rox,

I have heard through the JD grapevine that Deere would like to compete with some of the companies like Bobcat in this market. There is intense speculation that a modified slip scoop, currently marketed for the X series tractors, might find its way to the XUV. There is also the promise of some upgraded wheels, winches, and perhaps forks, power brooms with self contained motors to join in the accessory line. I am not sure when though. The Bobcat is a very nice machine, but might be even more expensive in Europe than in the US. Husqvarna markets exactly the same machine, as does EZ go. I do not believe the accessories are quite as extensive, but assumably could be fitted. I do not know if these makes would have better prices or availability there. I do not know what prices the accessories for the Bobcat have. Based on initial discussion, the XUV should be a bit less expensive than the Bobcat. I hope things are well in Provence. I left a fair amount of "sweat equity" on the slopes of Mont Ventoux a few summers ago on my bike. To this day, as a cyclist, a more mentally-challenging climb I have not faced. Richard Virenque I am not, but it went OK.

John M

Ukraine Train · Jan 29, 2007

What do they use for hydraulic power in the 2300? Do they just have a pump attached to the engine? Seems like at idle it wouldn't flow a whole lot. You'd have to shift to neutral and rev the engine, unless it's a variable displacement pump.

Baucom · Jan 29, 2007

jcmseven said:
Rox,

I have heard through the JD grapevine that Deere would like to compete with some of the companies like Bobcat in this market. There is intense speculation that a modified slip scoop, currently marketed for the X series tractors, might find its way to the XUV. There is also the promise of some upgraded wheels, winches, and perhaps forks, power brooms with self contained motors to join in the accessory line. I am not sure when though. The Bobcat is a very nice machine, but might be even more expensive in Europe than in the US. Husqvarna markets exactly the same machine, as does EZ go. I do not believe the accessories are quite as extensive, but assumably could be fitted. I do not know if these makes would have better prices or availability there. I do not know what prices the accessories for the Bobcat have. Based on initial discussion, the XUV should be a bit less expensive than the Bobcat. I hope things are well in Provence. I left a fair amount of "sweat equity" on the slopes of Mont Ventoux a few summers ago on my bike. To this day, as a cyclist, a more mentally-challenging climb I have not faced. Richard Virenque I am not, but it went OK.

John M

Bobcat, Husqvarna, and Club Car are the same--EZ Go is a different beast entirely.