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November 2009

Transmission option added to Bobcat tractor line for increased performance

Since launching its first compact tractor models in 2007, Bobcat Company has continued to expand the line with new models, new options and new attachments. For the rest of 2009 and into 2010, Bobcat has exciting plans for its whole compact tractor line.

CT450 SSTThe CT450 is one of three models that the shuttle shift transmission option is now available for.

Bryan Zent, marketing manager at Bobcat, said 2009 has been a busy year for Bobcat compact tractors. The year has brought not only changes and updates to the line, but also a successful contest, new Bobcat compact tractor dealers and outstanding strength in sales ― a large percent of which have been to new Bobcat customers.

“We are very excited about the continued growth of the line, and next year is already shaping up to be equally exciting with new options planned for 2010,” Zent said.

Some of the additions coming this year and in 2010 include a shuttle shift transmission (SST) option, to complement the current hydrostatic transmission, and a line of front-mounted implements.

Shuttle shift transmission option
In the coming months, Bobcat will launch a semi-synchronized gear transmission option which will be available on the CT335, CT445, and CT450 models. This transmission will feature 12 forward gears and 12 reverse gears with shuttle shift capabilities for ease of use, which will complement the hydrostatic transmission (HST) models offered today.

Ideal for customers of all types, the SST transmission will provide optimal PTO output and efficiencies for use in applications such as mowing, tilling and other rear PTO demanding applications. These models will also excel in applications such as spraying and seeding, where a specific speed needs to be maintained.

“We are very excited about the continued growth of the line, and next year is already shaping up to be equally exciting with new options planned for 2010."
— Bryan Zent, marketing manager, Bobcat

Front-mounted implements for compact tractors
Starting with two snowblower models, Bobcat is now offering front-mounted implements that mount directly to the tractor frame and can utilize the mid-PTO for power. The first snowblower models being offered are 49-inch and 62-inch cutting widths. These models are available to order from Bobcat dealers and approved for use on Bobcat CT120 to CT235 compact tractors. A 72-inch-cutting-width model is coming later in the year for use on the CT225 to CT450. A lift kit, mid-PTO and PTO kit are required to use the snowblowers. In addition to the snowblowers, Bobcat has plans for additional front-mounted implements in 2010.

“Using these implements on the front of the tractor is more comfortable for the operator,” Zent said, “especially on large jobs where the operator would have to constantly turn around to do the work.”

Contest winner announced
On Aug. 31, Bobcat ended its six-month “Great Bobcat Tractor Pull” contest, which asked entrants to tell the company what they would do with a new Bobcat CT230 compact tractor. Stories ranged from homeowners with acreage and animal rescue operations looking for a machine that could replace hand labor to single projects that needed a helping hand to get started, such as restoring an old barn or building an amphitheater. After reviewing nearly 10,000 entries, the first- and second-place winners were chosen.

John Shepherd, of Porter, Ind., was the grand-prize winner of the contest. Shepherd, referring to his story as a “21-century, reality-version of ‘Green Acres,’” described his wife as a “city girl,” and added, “I’m kind of country.” The Shepherds are apple-orchard owners and beekeepers, tasks for which the CT235 and implements package will find a lot of use. Second place went to Lucas Greff, of Elgin, N.D., who is looking to reestablish the family farm he grew up on. The Greff family will receive a Bobcat 2200 utility vehicle.

About the line
Launched in 2007, the Bobcat compact tractor line currently includes eight models, from the 22-horsepower CT122 to the 49-horsepower CT450. A shuttle shift transmission option on three models launched in late 2009. Bobcat currently offers more than 20 implements and attachments for its compact tractor line, including three-point hitch implements, mid-mount PTO implements, front-end loaders and front-mounted PTO attachments. Bobcat also offers the optional Bob-Tach™ attachment mounting system on all models of front-end loaders, which allows for use of non-hydraulic attachments such as buckets or pallets forks. For the CT335 and larger an optional front hydraulic kit is available for hydraulic attachments such as augers or utility grapples. Models CT335 and larger also feature an optional factory-installed cab with heat and air conditioning.