Bobcat and Tier 4 Frequently Asked Questions

Tier 4: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How has Bobcat already been addressing Tier 4?

A: Bobcat machines under 25.5 hp have been Final Tier 4 compliant since 2008. Bobcat machines equal to or greater than 25.5 hp, but less than 75.1 hp have been Interim Tier 4 (iT4) compliant since 2008. For Bobcat machines that are not subject to iT4 or Tier 4 compliancy until future dates, Bobcat is committed to incorporating iT4 and Tier 4 technologies that provide the most benefits to our customers and are the most applicable to the products that we manufacture.

Q: How will Bobcat address Interim Tier 4 (iT4) for higher-horsepower machines?

A: Like other manufacturers, we are thinking hard about 2012, when Bobcat machines that fall into the 75.1 to 174.3 hp class become Interim Tier 4 compliant. Interim Tier 4 technology abilities:

Machine performance � iT4 technologies can produce more combustion energy to increase engine torque output.
Operator comfort � iT4 technologies can reduce engine noise levels.

Q: What Interim Tier 4 (iT4) technology options has Bobcat favored?

A: The emission standards for all tiers, including Interim Tier 4, vary by the rated horsepower of an engine. Therefore IT4 compliancy deadlines and emission standards differ when a broad range of engine horsepower ratings are being considered. Cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) is a technology that has been already used in some models that have been Tier 3 or iT4 compliant for quite some time. Models that don�t have iT4 compliancy deadlines until 2012 will favor one or a combination of technologies available such as CEGR, diesel particulate filters (DPF), diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) or selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR).

Q: Will Bobcat machines with Interim Tier 4 engines be more expensive?

A: Bobcat products such as the MT52 mini track loader, the S70 skid-steer loader, CT122 compact tractor, 418 and 324 mini-excavators and diesel powered utility vehicles (6 models) have already been TIER 4 compliant for quite some time. These products had very minor increases in price due to Tier 4. In some other cases, advancements needed in engines and other systems external to the engine for IT4 will add expense. However these technologies may also allow improvements to engine noise, sound levels, performance and diagnostic capabilities.

Q: When will Bobcat announce firm Interim Tier 4 plans?

A: We will be announcing our plans for Interim Tier 4 early 2012. We are being very diligent in exploring which technologies will be best for our customers in the long run, and we will stand behind those technologies.