BOBCRAP!! ???????

[flienlow]

We are getting pretty close to buying our first "real" machines (or at least compared to the baby tractor we have.) A CTL and 35 size Mini excavator.
Anyway, Out of all the dealers, and all the brands; our local Bobcat guys seems like he truly gives a **** and truly wants to "Earn" our business. We feel that just about every other dealer, really couldn't care less if we bought our not. Our local Bobcat guy has all of implements and goodies we want but cant afford and tells us if we buy the machines he can hook us up on cheap rentals or will even comp the use of some. I don't feel he is a slick talking BSer either. He is bring out demo unit and no ones else seems too willing. Kubota flat wont - "go rent one"

With that said, we are concerned about "Doosan" quality. I have been reading a lot of "BOBCRAP" Comments that make he worried about pulling the trigger. It is hard enough for us to afford the equipment, let alone issues that go with it. Hoping I can get the real story on bobcat by someone.

 

[nbking]

Bobcats are pretty nice, you see them everywhere, so I would think they are a great piece of equipment. Too bad no one is really out there trying to earn your business. Good luck with your search.

 

[ArlyA]

I buddy of ours was an M engineer for BobCat and after listening to his "inside" stories, we would not suggest they are a long lasting or a HD built machines. Over the years, most construction companies have dropped them.

 

[flienlow]

I buddy of ours was an M engineer for BobCat and after listening to his "inside" stories, we would not suggest they are a long lasting or a HD built machines. Over the years, most construction companies have dropped them.

You are not making it easy here.

 

[deezler]

I've rented a bobcat E35 w/ hydr thumb a couple times. Two different E35s from the same rental co. Each one had 2000+ hours and still felt super tight. Very strong and capable machine. Each fired right up and ran quiet and smooth.

I.... really want one. Cannot even begin to justify the expense though.

 

[Deerherd]

I bought a E42 brand new in 2016 and it’s been great, zero problems. My dealer also rents lots of equipment and he picks up and drops off the machine free of charge for scheduled maintenance. I just have to wait a day or so when he has a delivery in the area.

No DPF on the Bobcat, and with the auto idle feature, I don’t worry about idling or working at lower rpms. Plus it saves fuel. I have a 5 year bumper to bucket warranty, just haven’t used it.

 

[murphy1244]

I buddy of ours was an M engineer for BobCat and after listening to his "inside" stories, we would not suggest they are a long lasting or a HD built machines. Over the years, most construction companies have dropped them.

Don't even listen to crap like this! Bobcat is just getting back to tractor making and this time it truly is their own machine.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Those ars some pretty vague promises. I mean, can you possibly get some attachments to "try"? It that what he is talking about? That is a really hard promise to nail down. I can't see one customer, getting a rental rate cheaper than another. It all kind of sounds like saleman talk.

I will never forget my step father buying a new dodge. The salemans was the nicest guy in the world. When we went to pick up the vehicle, there was some issue, and my Stepfather approached the salesman, who was engaged with some prospective couple. That salesman wouldn't give my Stepdad the time of day and told him to go to the service department. Just sayin.

 

[flienlow]

Those ars some pretty vague promises. I mean, can you possibly get some attachments to "try"? It that what he is talking about? That is a really hard promise to nail down. I can't see one customer, getting a rental rate cheaper than another. It all kind of sounds like saleman talk.

I will never forget my step father buying a new dodge. The salemans was the nicest guy in the world. When we went to pick up the vehicle, there was some issue, and my Stepfather approached the salesman, who was engaged with some prospective couple. That salesman wouldn't give my Stepdad the time of day and told him to go to the service department. Just sayin.

There are no guarantees in life. I don't feel that was an exclusive offer to just us, but how they do business. I do know one thing. If I went down to my useless Kubota dealer, they wouldn't even have an implement in stock, let alone rent it out or even give a reduced rate for existing customers.
Tomorrow that BC Dealer is dropping off a brand new T650 and according to him.... "doesn't give a **** what we do with it or where we take it, as long as we give it a good honest demo."
Guess what the Kubota Dealer won't do?

 

[ruffdog]

My 2017 Toolcat has been good...no problems. I had a wheel issue with the front deck I had ordered so they just shipped out the wheel assy....no problem. So far, the dealer and MFG has been good to work with and the 5610 is a solid piece of equipment.

 

[soupcan]

I buddy of ours was an M engineer for BobCat and after listening to his "inside" stories, we would not suggest they are a long lasting or a HD built machines. Over the years, most construction companies have dropped them.

Dont last long?? There are tons of 20+ year old bobcats still going strong. Bobcats live a hard life, especially in the construction world but still remain the most popular for a reason. Sure there are other brands, thats because everyone wants a slice of the pie. From personal experience of operating heavy equipment for 30 years and counting, a bobcat skid steer is the most dependable trouble free machine we have owned. Caterpillar has given us nothing be trouble and a lot of $$$ in repairs, their parts are crazy expensive. Kubota engines are awesome, and I was one who hated to see them be replaced on skidsteers given their track record. I cant comment on Doosan other than they havent given us any issues so far. Nobody likes change especially when something has been working (kubota) for years. But thats big business.

 

[mini14]

ive used their skid steers for years with no problems, I currently own a Doosan skid steer for 6 years now with zero issues. bobcat is well built for the money you pay, Kubota engines in them, standerized pins and bushings, wheel motors and pumps easy to get parts for. its an educated coin toss nowadays balancing pros and cons of each and every machine out there will drive you nuts. My next machine will be an e20 bobcat mini ex. parts are easy to source, dealers everywhere.

 

[Motorboatin]

I buddy of ours was an M engineer for BobCat and after listening to his "inside" stories, we would not suggest they are a long lasting or a HD built machines. Over the years, most construction companies have dropped them.

I spend a lot of time on construction sites and I see plenty of white skid steers. Probably more than all the other brands combined

 

[Rustyiron]

I think ArlyA was thinking in terms of Doosan engines, perhaps un aware that Doosan now owns Bobcat.
I've heard of electrical demons in them and Cat, and everything is electrical on these newer machines, just like today's pickups.
You're talking about spending some real "coin" soon, that should perk up any color dealer's attention. Check out heavy equipment forum, ask some questions to the guy's that run'em for a living.

 

[ArlyA]

Doosan is the Korean company who purchased BC quite a few years back and did make changes. Sometime after that, they came back and said there margins are to low and they'll need to lighten materials used on them. For example, if the frame was 1/4" steel, it was changed to 3/16 and so on. If you check the specs on these machines, there are indeed lighter in weight, than comparable machines from other manufactures. Our buddy among the items he designed for them was rubber tracks for a small backhoe they build. Its life expectancy specifications for them was only 300 hours. That's to short but it does save $$$.

Now some posters can return to a normal level of anger. :fiery:

I think ArlyA was thinking in terms of Doosan engines, perhaps un aware that Doosan now owns Bobcat.
I've heard of electrical demons in them and Cat, and everything is electrical on these newer machines, just like today's pickups.
You're talking about spending some real "coin" soon, that should perk up any color dealer's attention. Check out heavy equipment forum, ask some questions to the guy's that run'em for a living.

 

[Jchonline]

Our local Bobcat dealer was also very engaging and easy to work with. Rentals were also offered at discounts...they even offered to let me demo machines on our property. In the SS, they have just switched from Kubota to a Doosan engine to remove the DPF. They use a high grade low micron fuel filter to make this work, and I read some issues with these causing shutdown and cold start problems newer machines (they need constant fuel flow to make the non DPF tech work). I feel like they might need a few more years in development before they really get this down. In the end it wasn稚 this that kept me from Bobcat. I just decided on a different type of machine that they dont offer. They would still be high on my list, but my Kubota Dealer is so great to work with I would probably by a CTL or MiniEx from them.

 

[dnw64]

With that said, we are concerned about "Doosan" quality.

Is it made by Doosan?

We have a Doosan forklift and it has been about as trouble free as any of the Toyotas, Clarks and Nissans we've had. It's currently maybe 5 years old. No idea on the hours - I don't drive it and PMs are done by the dealer - it's not used 8 hours a day, but pretty regularly. Lots of short (5 minute) runs and occasionally an hour or two at a time.

 

[SJay]

Bought my used CT225 from the local Bobcat dealer. Salesman delivered it for a weekend demo and it hasn’t left. Consumers Energy uses mainly Bobcat equipment, the newer stuff. I doubt Consumers would continue to use stuff that is a problem. They are rentals, but if the equipment isn’t reliable it would still be a pain to return and get fixed. Just my observation.

 

[murphy1244]

Here is what IS going on with Bobcat Doosan Bobcat to enter N. American agricultural tractor market - ???? ???? ??(Pulse)

They stopped making compact tractors in 012 and now are just getting back into the market, so arly a they did not make compacts between those years.

 

[DJGTWO]

I was in the market for a skid steer, so my local dealer bought out a tracked and wheeled Bobcat for me to try for several days. They were both excellent machines, but because of my property terrain and the work I needed to do after a major flood last fall, I went with a tracked T595. I am extremely happy with the Bobcat with the partial property cleanup I got done last fall before winter set in. It has also been a great machine for the snow cleanup this winter.