Bobcat track loader with sand cleaner attachment on most famous Sicilian Beach

The very high performance T76 tracked loader, combined with the specific Bobcat beach cleaning attachment, was recently purchased by the Mondello Italo Belga company, which has been taking care of Mondello for over a hundred years, with the aim of restoring this locality’s original uniqueness and splendor.

On completion of the land reclamation operations, in the early 1900s the Italo-Belgian Mondello Company transformed the coastal district into a renowned seaside resort, creating the long white sand beach, the elegant masonry bathing establishment immersed in water, known as the “Charleston”, and promoting urban development with the construction of residential buildings and the creation of a hotel: the Mondello Palace.

The business associated with the concession of the bathing establishment is a catalyst for various interests, as Mondello is the only sandy beach in Palermo, a crowded city only 11 km away, and has become one of the most coveted beaches by its inhabitants and by tourists from all over the world.

Mondello beach requires cutting-edge equipment

Focused on the continuous development of the local area, the Mondello Italo Belga company also wanted to adapt its equipment to support soil conservation.

The choice of the Sand Cleaner to protect the area stems from our intention to ensure the technological evolution of the tools, says Mondello Italo Belga’s CEO Antonio Gristina. “Maintenance of the beach never stops. To avoid the formation of dunes and remove organic debris carried by wind and tides, maintenance is required throughout the course of the year, and in particular before, during and after the seasonal peak. The investment combines the company's interest in cleaning the beach in the most rational and advantageous way, with the environmental and sustainability needs of the area.”

The decision to purchase the Bobcat Sand Cleaner, despite the fact that the company already had other suitable means available to carry out this job, was primarily due to the need to guarantee thorough cleaning of the beach and therefore also of the sea. The vehicle is in fact used very intensely at the beginning of the season and throughout the summer period, passing daily between the rows of umbrellas thanks to the compact dimensions of the T76 loader and its extreme maneuverability.

Mr. Genova, who has been in charge of maintaining Mondello beach for over 50 years, and is therefore a great connoisseur of the most suitable means, was a strong supporter of the purchase of the T76 loaded combined with the Bobcat sand cleaner. “As soon as we understood the potential of this vehicle in terms of its operating speed and saving of resources, we chose to replace the existing vehicles”, says Mr. Genova. “To fully convince ourselves, we also tested offers from competitors. None of these have been able to match the performance of the Bobcat solution. A real masterpiece at ensuring optimal cleaning of a beach 1500 meters long and over 40 meters deep. Another important advantage for us is that, thanks to the rubber tracks, the T76 tracked loader can be driven on the road, so it doesn’t require dedicated transport on a vehicle to travel from our warehouse to the beach.”

Bobcat SC200 sand cleaner - faster and deeper cleaning

Covering a large area with a flow rate of up to 15,000m² per hour, the Bobcat Sand Cleaner allows you to quickly sift through sand and retain even the smallest debris, including cigarette butts, corks, pieces of glass, wood splinters or seaweed. The waste is then accumulated in its 350L integrated collecting bucket and can be directly unloaded onto a truck or container thanks to the hydraulic opening system of the bucket and the lift arm of the skid-steer loader on which the attachment is mounted.

It is a highly effective sand cleaning tool with an adjustable depth of 0 to 20 cm, equipped with interchangeable sieves with 4 mesh sizes (5x5,10x10, 15x15 20x20 mm), to collect waste and debris of all sizes.

The Bobcat SC200 Sand Cleaner is maintenance-free and extremely quick and easy to assemble thanks to the new T76 loader cast steel Bob-Tach attachment system, which allows it to be quickly and safely combined with all Bobcat attachments, ensuring versatility and efficiency.

Genuine Bobcat attachments also feature our unique ‘Plug & Play’ technology, so multiple data streams can be exchanged using a single electric cable conveniently located in the cab. Attachments are fitted with the Attachment Control Device (ACD), a kind of circuit board, allowing the machine to instantly recognize them and establish communication.

T76 Stage V R-Series Tracked Loader, the evolution of compact equipment

The sand cleaner operating in Mondello is attached to the new Bobcat T76 Stage V tracked loader. The Mondello Italo Belga company’s decision to buy such a high performance vehicle, which also functions as a useful took carrier, is dictated by the need to manage various business assets, in addition to the wide stretch of beach. As Antonio Gristina states: “The fact that the T76 loader can be used for different requirements by swapping its attachments, optimizes our costs and is therefore a major saving. Its sturdiness and operational capabilities allow us to use it to keep the property grounds clean, carry out work on site and lift materials. Last but not least, the advanced technology of the Bobcat T76 loader has allowed access to the tax saving opportunities offered by the Industria 4.0 program.”

The T76 R-Series loader, launched in October 2020 to coincide with the revolutionary Next is Now event, offers significant advantages over previous generation machines, in terms of productivity, reliability and durability, without neglecting the comfort of the vehicle.

The loader has been improved with a longer wheelbase and track width for a smoother ride. The higher stability combined with the enhanced efficiency of the hydraulic system provides class-leading push and breakout forces and increased lift capacity. The new cast steel boom structure makes the T76 loader 20% stronger, and the increased lift height makes it easier to unload materials into high-sided trucks.

In order to make the most of the potential of the T76 loader, the Italian-Belgian Mondello company has chosen to accessorize it with various available options: the cab with transparent sides, equipped with mesh-free side screens to improve visibility, the 7-inch touch screen display rear view camera, which provides detailed information about the machine and its associated attachment, and the suspension undercarriage with 5-link torsion, which helps reduce vibration and material spillage.

Betra, the Bobcat dealership for western Sicily with surprising results

Mondello Italo Belga’s integrated Bobcat sand cleaning solution was sold by Giovanni Riela, director of Betra, the Bobcat dealership for Western Sicily (in particular for the provinces of Palermo, Trapani, Agrigento and Caltanissetta), established in October 2020 but boasting twenty years of experience in the marketing of Bobcat products thanks to the experience gained by Giovanni Riela.

“I am extremely proud of the relationship of deep trust established with the Mondello Italo Belga”, says Giovanni Riela. “The sale of the new T76 Loader with Sand Cleaner is particularly prestigious as it represents an excellent worldwide showcase for Betra and Bobcat. We have chosen to be 100% single-brand, only Bobcat for both machines and accessories, and this is rewarding us with surprising results.”

Less than two years since the agreement with Bobcat, Betra has recorded major successes. In 2021, it far exceeded the set targets, and in 2022, 60% of the machines had already been ordered by April. The growth is so fast that a new 1000 sq.m, two floor headquarters in Ficarazzi (Palermo) will be opening soon, housing offices, a spare parts warehouse and a central workshop to provide the best specialized support.

Francesca Biagini, Bobcat Accessories Sales Manager for Southern Europe, comments: “We are completely satisfied with the new Betra dealer, who immediately proved to be determined and proactive. Thanks to Giovanni Riela's enthusiasm, the results came immediately: many accessories sold, of multiple types and dedicated to different applications, from sand cleaners to pressure washers, rollers, cutters, trenchers and compacting equipment. Betra has an extraordinary ability to promote the full range of accessories across its territory, obviously all strictly by Bobcat.”