Product Test: New Bobcat 1.6 to 2 tonne Mini Excavators from the Seat

Published on: 14 July 2025

EARTHMOVERS MAGAZINE: Taking a look back at this interesting test drive event as previously featured in Earthmovers Magazine, bringing it to life on the internet with alternative images and video. In October last year we were invited along to an exclusive test drive opportunity with selected journalists, and construction machinery related influencers, ahead of the machines first public appearance at Bauma 2025.

 

Undertaken in almost complete secrecy within the confines of a walled garden somewhere in the Czech Republic countryside, we had the privilege to able to spend an entire day with the new machines, with nothing being too much bother for the assembled team from Bobcat. From my point of view, this is just what I want from a construction machinery related press visit, time to spend around the kit, and indeed getting that “hands on” feel for the new models.

Bobcat first launched its updated R2 range of mini excavators back in 2021 and have been gradually updating the entire range since then, the four one to two tonne models are the final pieces in the R2 range jigsaw.

The 1-2-tonne mini excavator is an important sector in the European market. The four previous Bobcat models in this size class have proven to be best sellers in the EMEA region with a total of well over 34,000 units having been sold, most of which have been manufactured at the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Dobris, Czech Republic.

The long-awaited upgrade is now complete and the four new R2 models will take centre stage during Bauma, the models are, E16 (1,612 kg), E17z (1,712 kg), E19 (1,905 kg) and E20z (1,980 kg).

 

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