Customers are Thrilled with their New Bobcat Compact Tractors

Tractors Already a Big Hit in Landscaping, Rental and Hobby Farm Market Segments

Reports of a new breed of Bobcat® equipment started circulating last summer. In our winter issue, we introduced you to the new Bobcat compact tractor family. Today we’re pleased to share some of the feedback we’re receiving from customers who purchased a few of the first Bobcat compact tractors in the field.

As you might guess, customers who heard about the new tractor line last year contacted their Bobcat dealers for more information. Literature wasn’t available yet in every case, but some Bobcat enthusiasts were so eager to learn more that they postponed buying another brand until they could see the new white and orange-colored Bobcat compact tractors.

“I first heard about the Bobcat compact tractors last September,” says Arlyn Hedtke, Grove City, Minn. Hedtke actually bought the very first Bobcat compact tractor sold in North America. He purchased the CT230 from Farm-Rite Equipment in Dassel, Minn. “When I heard they were coming out, I went to the dealership and asked for some literature, but it wasn’t available yet, so I waited and took sales manager Tim Cox’s word that they were worth waiting for,” Hedtke says. “I’ve done business with Farm-Rite for probably 15 years, so I felt confident that the Bobcat tractors would be a good product.”

Hedtke is 61 years old and has operated Bobcat compact loaders on his hobby farm to complete a variety of chores.

“It’s been more than good — it’s been sensational. It beat my expectations!”

“I had a Bobcat skid-steer loader that I traded in when I bought my Bobcat CT230 compact tractor because it was becoming more and more difficult for me to get in and out of it,” he says. “I can step on and off the tractor so easily — I love it!”

You might think a compact tractor wouldn’t get much use during a harsh Minnesota winter. However, Hedtke says he easily cleared snow with the tractor. Once spring comes, he plans to use additional implements for annual tasks at his farm.

Roger and Mary McKenzie own McKenzie Landscaping and Farm in Jackson Spring, N.C. Like Arlyn Hedtke, the McKenzies already owned Bobcat machines and were very familiar with the brand.

“I’ve operated Bobcat equipment for 20-plus years,” Roger says. “The last eight have been on my own as a landscaping contractor.” The couple currently own a T300 compact track loader, S185 skid-steer loader and 331 compact excavator.

When the couple heard that Bobcat was launching a new compact tractor line, the McKenzies decided to purchase one for landscaping projects and for chores on their farm. Roger says he can easily lift and carry hay for his six horses with his new Bobcat compact tractor and loader.

“I have an older, 30-hp tractor with a manual transmission and it can be difficult to change gears. The hydrostatic transmission in our Bobcat CT230 makes it much easier for us to operate.”

Ease of operation was very important to Roger and Mary when they were shopping for a new tractor. After a car accident made it more difficult for Mary to operate the machinery, he wanted something simpler for her to drive.

“We don’t have to change gears when we want to go forward — we only select low, medium or high,” Roger says.

“I have an older, 30-hp tractor with a manual transmission and it can be difficult to change gears. The hydrostatic transmission in our Bobcat CT230 makes it much easier for us to operate.”

Roger intends to put the tractor to good use, working alongside his Bobcat loaders and compact excavator to complete rigorous landscaping projects. Those clearing lots, installing drainage around homes, digging small ponds on horse farms and grading driveways. Another application that the McKenzies perform is erosion control. Roger looks forward to this spring when he can pair his new Bobcat seeder implement and the CT230.

When you see a rental yard, compact tractors aren’t always the first things that pop out. Jeff Gooldy, owner of Prosser Rentals, Prosser, Wash., admits that some of his colleagues in the rental market would just as soon not stock the product in their fleet. Despite this, Gooldy says compact tractors are an ideal rental machine, especially for homeowners in his area with two or three acres to maintain.

“Most rental stores around here don’t stock tractors,” Gooldy explains. “But we’ve found that they do well in our area because we have a lot of homeowners with acreage to maintain.” Gooldy says that it makes financial sense for some homeowners to rent the tractors for occasional uses, like mowing, tilling or light grading.

Gooldy bought a Bobcat CT230 compact tractor from Bobcat West in Yakima, Wash., based on his positive experience with the brand.

“I thought of my customers, too, when I was comparing brands,” he says. “The Bobcat brand was simply more recognizable than the other model I was considering.”

“I already buy Bobcat skid-steer and compact track loaders, and when I heard that Bobcat West was selling tractors, I traded in another brand for a new Bobcat model.”

Like the McKenzies, Gooldy was concerned about ease of operation, particularly for his customers who only occasionally rent tractors.

“One of the main reasons why I bought the Bobcat model was because it had a hydrostatic transmission,” he says. “A manual transmission is always an issue with renters — they’re simply not familiar with them. We spend a lot of time repairing clutches, so we thought it would save us money and our customers time to go with a tractor that has a hydrostatic transmission.”

The first rental assignment for Gooldy’s CT230 was from a regular customer who operates a landscaping company. He rented the Bobcat tractor to help with snow removal after more than 10 inches fell in the Prosser area.

“The customer said the Bobcat tractor was quicker than other models he owns, thanks to the hydrostatic transmission,” Gooldy says. “For him, time was money. Now he’s considering a Bobcat model when it’s time to buy a new one.”

Gooldy also expects customers will appreciate the CT230’s tilt steering wheel, suspension seat for improved comfort, excellent visibility when operating in confined areas and its power steering. “The power steering on the Bobcat tractor rivals most cars,” Gooldy says. “You can turn the steering wheel with one finger.”

You’ve read what some customers are saying about the new tractors; now it’s time to give them a test-drive. There’s also a wealth of useful information about the new tractor line online. Visit the tractor page to watch a video, see photos or read more about the new tractors.