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Spring 2008

Family Agribusiness Switches to Bobcat — Improves Overall Operation

Alabama Feed Mill Couldn’t Survive without its Bobcat S175

For the Davis family of Wilmer, Ala., owners of G&D Farms, there’s only one brand of skid-steer loader that makes the cut. Lee and Starla Davis operate their agribusiness outside of Mobile, with 20-plus years of experience in the industry. In 1998 they bought G&D Farms from another family member and today the Davis family successfully serves area hobby farmers who raise cows and horses.

“We’d be in trouble without our Bobcat skid-steer loader. I don’t think we could move this much volume without our Bobcat loader.”

A Bobcat® S175 loader is instrumental in the family’s feed mill operation. Equipped with a light material bucket, the S175 loads grains and other supplements into a hopper where the feed is mixed and bagged for customers.

The Switch to Bobcat Loaders

Approximately eight years ago, the Davis family traded from another compact loader brand. “We switched to Bobcat and we’ve been very pleased with the performance and resale value,” says Lee Davis. “It has the ability to quickly lift and carry hay, grain and other additives, yet it’s small enough to maneuver in and out of our buildings without any problems.”

“We started with a 753 skid-steer loader, and then switched to a vertical lift path machine for added reach and more lift capacity.”

The exclusive Bobcat dual path cooling system has been an important feature for Davis and his operators. “The biggest advantage of Bobcat over the competition is the air flow and how the machine brings in cool air from above instead of below the unit,” he says. “Other machines suck in dirty air from the bottom or sides, which make them run a lot harder and plugs the radiator.” Bobcat compact loaders’ dual path cooling system brings in cool, clean air from above the machine — while at the same time pulling air from the engine and hydrostatic area.

Less Work, More Play

All work and no play isn’t much fun for Lee Davis, an outdoor enthusiast who prefers to spend his free time enjoying everything that rural Alabama has to offer. “We like new equipment that keeps working so we can spend free time hunting,” he says. “Thankfully, we’ve never had any major issues with the Bobcat loaders that prevent us from getting our work done. Beard Equipment is close enough that if we do have a challenge, our salesman is here to support us.”

Read more about exclusive Bobcat compact loader features on the loader page.