Evaluating Bobcats

[jeffburton]

I have an older John Deere and it is just too small for what I am using it for. I have been evaluating new tractors. One of them is the bobcat. Overall I am impressed with it, but I have a couple of beefs with it and was hoping to get some feedback from bobcat owners. First is the turning radius - it's more than the other tractors I've tried out. Not much anyone can do about that.

The second is strange - on the bobcat I drove (235), the hydro was "jerky". When changing speeds it would jerk - kind of felt like turning my deere on pavement with 4x4 engaged (but not as bad). I asked the dealer and he said maybe the throttle was too low - so I pushed it up and it did the same thing.

None of the other new tractors I have tried (Kubota, New Holland, Deere) did this.

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Jeff,

I evaluated Bobcat (Kioti), Kubota, and Mahindra myself recently.

FYI Bobcat CUTs are made by Kioti except BC uses a different FEL. That is the ONLY difference I could determine other than pricing and options cost.

I bought the larger frame Kioti and I have not noticed what you describe. Were you driving the HST version (that is the only one I've driven).

My experience as a new tractor guy, is that ALL of the jerkyness in FEL, driving, etc. has been OPERATOR INDUCED. In other words, as I get more seat time, the tractor miraculously moves more smoothly. It is amazing how much better it has gotten in fact.

Basically I did not observe what you are describing, or whatever I did observe was me over-operating and not the tractor.

Happy Tractoring! :tractor:
Be well,
David

 

[Crike]

Hey Jeff, I own a CT450 Hydro and have never experianced the problems that you mention with the 235 you tested. The turn radius is good, if it were any tighter I would damage the grass when using my finish mower. The only tractor I tested that turned better was the New Holland with the super steer feature. Takeoffs are smooth and no jerking. I suggest that you test a different Bobcat to compare. After using for two years I've had only a few minor issues. I am pleased with the Bobcat. Good Luck

 

[tcartwri]

The hydro should be smooth, although in low range it is sensitive.

My only complaint so far with my 235 is the key switch placement. I broke the key off after about 10 hours. Haven't replaced it yet.

Also the loader joystick is right at knee level, so if you're turned sideways in the seat, blowing snow for example, it is very easy to push the stick with your thigh. A couple of times I have made a pass down the laneway only to turn around and find the loader at full height...

:laughing::laughing:

 

[Bigasspilot]

I have a 235 and have not experienced what you are describing. Hydro runs, stops, and starts smoothly. Mine shifts gears smoothly most of the time. Occasionally you need to rock the hydro back and forth before pushing in the clutch to get it to shift the speed range. Try some other Bobcat tractors to compare. For me the bobcat was the most tractor for the money.

 

[SSdoxie]

Dealer may not ahve prepped machine yet and pedal linkage could be dry. My CT225 stated acting up a little @ 30 hrs., couple pumps of grease on the 2 zerks under there and little spray lube to rest of the linkage and she smooth as silk again.

Just tip I found on shifting; push in brake first then clutch it usually shifts smooth. If not let off the clucth while holding pressure on the shift handle. On rare occasion you may have to let off the brake and tap the foot pedal.

 

[kco]

I have a Kioti DK35 HST and find the hydro smooth.

Is your assessment of the turning radius based on the specifications or on actual driving? When evaluating tractors the turning radius was one of my concerns too since most of my work is in tight quarters and on winding bush trails. That concern was unfounded.

I can only judge from my previous Kubota L275 DT and present DK35, but I find the turning radius specifications of little value. My L275 DT had a specified radius of 105" vs the DK35's 126", and I thought that might be a problem. I was very wrong--the DK35 vastly out-turns the L275. The turning specs are for locked-wheel turns that have never worked for my conditions where the locked wheels of both machines make curving ruts. However, the DK35's front wheels rotate to a much sharper angle than the L275 resulting in a tighter turn. Also, the DK35's additional weight seems to the prevent the front wheel skidding that sometimes occurred with the L275. Also, the DK35 has R4 tires vs the L275's R1. I'm not sure how that affects turns.

The L275 was a 30 year old tractor. Perhaps most modern tractors' front wheels are like the DK's and rotate more. I'm sure the other tractor I seriously considered, the Kubota L3540, would turn as sharply or sharper than the DK35.

So from my limited experience, the DK35 is vastly more manouverable than the L275--even though the specifications suggest otherwise.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Jeff,

I evaluated Bobcat (Kioti), Kubota, and Mahindra myself recently.

FYI Bobcat CUTs are made by Kioti except BC uses a different FEL. That is the ONLY difference I could determine other than pricing and options cost.

Happy Tractoring! :tractor:
Be well,
David

David, you will find that you have draft control on your Kioti and the Bobcat does not. Just bringing that up so that others will know at least one of the differences between the two. The Kioti DK 35,40,45 & 50 have draft control where as the Bobcat equivalents do not. A minor difference unless you want-need draft control, then it could be a huge factor between the two.

 

[Grand_Pooba]

Also the loader joystick is right at knee level, so if you're turned sideways in the seat, blowing snow for example, it is very easy to push the stick with your thigh. A couple of times I have made a pass down the laneway only to turn around and find the loader at full height...

:laughing::laughing:

Glad I'm not the only one to do that.

 

[Steelstring]

The hydro should be smooth, although in low range it is sensitive.

My only complaint so far with my 235 is the key switch placement. I broke the key off after about 10 hours. Haven't replaced it yet.

Also the loader joystick is right at knee level, so if you're turned sideways in the seat, blowing snow for example, it is very easy to push the stick with your thigh. A couple of times I have made a pass down the laneway only to turn around and find the loader at full height...

:laughing::laughing:

I did the same thing the other day while running the back blade on the gravel drive....now I understand why they have a joystick lock! :thumbsup:

 

[horticattleman]

There is a little lever just below the joystick which you lock to keep it from happening.

 

[kco]

Jeff,

I evaluated Bobcat (Kioti), Kubota, and Mahindra myself recently.

FYI Bobcat CUTs are made by Kioti except BC uses a different FEL. That is the ONLY difference I could determine other than pricing and options cost.

I was at the Armstrong Fair last week and as usual spent time browsing the dealer machinery displays. It was interesting to see Kioti and Bobcat directly across from each other and the McCormick (also handles Massey,Case, Landhini) dealer separated from Bobcat by the John Deere display. So there were 3 Daedong brands within 200'.

The Bobcat person I spoke with told me there are 51 differences between the Kioti and Bobcat models. But he was not familiar with the CUT line (that salesman was busy with other people) and did not know what they were.

So lack of draft control is one, the white colour is two, I think Bobcat has a seat safety switch = 3, the loader = 4, + ???? (47 more?). Maybe they also count safety decals, name plates, ....?

 

[Z RENCH]

Other differences 'tween Bobcat & Kioti are; Kioti DK35 and larger models come standard with one rear remote; Bobcats have weather proof wire connectors, Kiotis do not. I've heard that there were 2 or 3 hundred differences 'tween them. The seat and steering wheel are different. I believe Bobcats come standard with horns Kiotis do not.:confused2:

 

[kco]

Other differences 'tween Bobcat & Kioti are; Kioti DK35 and larger models come standard with one rear remote; Bobcats have weather proof wire connectors, Kiotis do not. I've heard that there were 2 or 3 hundred differences 'tween them. The seat and steering wheel are different. I believe Bobcats come standard with horns Kiotis do not.:confused2:

My 2011 DK35 has a horn. I could easily do without it.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

... Also the loader joystick is right at knee level, so if you're turned sideways in the seat, blowing snow for example, it is very easy to push the stick with your thigh. A couple of times I have made a pass down the laneway only to turn around and find the loader at full height...

:laughing::laughing:

Another good reason to get a front mount blower instead of the old rear mount version.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I was test driving a Bobcat CT230 this weekend and I only barely noticed a slight "jerkiness"/"jumpiness" when turning while in all wheel drive. Which is similar to what I've seen when you lock the hubs on 4x4s when you go mudding but are driving on hard surfaces.

 

[Canada_CT230]

That jerkiness will preceed the damage to the front wheel assist. 4x4 and FWA are not for hard surfaces.

 

[bruceha2000]

So lack of draft control is one, the white colour is two, I think Bobcat has a seat safety switch = 3, the loader = 4, + ???? (47 more?). Maybe they also count safety decals, name plates, ....?

You are more likely to lose a Bobcat than a Kioti in a big snowstorm = 5
Oh wait, is that the same as #2 ??

It would be pretty cheesy to say there are 50 differences if most of them were name plates and decals.

So much for them being the same. I need a big comparison spreadsheet

 

[Z RENCH]

My 2011 DK35 has a horn. I could easily do without it.

Then how do you signal to your wife to fetch you another cold beer?:laughing:

 

[Lockport]

Maybe the CT335 has draft control?

I have a CT235 and no jerkiness whatsoever. Range shifter sometimes reluctant but I don't think that is brand specific as it is Hydro technology. My Kubota was like that. Same resolve. I find if its not in gear, perhaps I have just took it out, and it won't go into another range, or AWD, I simply tap very quickly the hydro pedal and that always resolves the issue.

The key is a little close to the knee. Someone said there is a shorter one. As for the horn, I like to wave at my neighbours.

I find the ROPS is high, but has three positions. Up will not clear my standard garage. Partially folded will, once I change the sheet metal weather stripping on my garage with rubber.

That being said, I really like my CT235. Its nice and heavy. Makes an easy meal of a grown over mud pile without hesitation or a need for teeth. Lots of weight to throw in the task. The seat is to die for, hands down. My little BX used to kill my back after cutting an acre and a half of finished lawn and I'd have been the last to admit it, but I could bush hog fields all day with this one. Thats Bobcats skid steer experience shining through. Front mount snowblower or lockout the FEL handle.

As for losing it in the snow, tie a rope to the back door like they used to do between the house and the barn.:thumbsup: