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Our History

The Keller Brothers

A Challenger Mindset 

Bestowed upon us by two brothers ahead of their time, the idea of never backing down from a challenge will always be the global identity of the Bobcat brand. 

The Keller Brothers: A Knack for What’s Next

As key contributors to innovation at Bobcat, the Keller brothers' story is a testament to their profound impact on the company's forward-thinking mindset. They had a gift for making one-of-a-kind solutions, and their knack for invention kickstarted the creation of the compact equipment industry. 

“I’d say you’re born with some knowledge. Everybody has a gift. I can’t play a piano, but if you want me to get a piece of metal and make something, I can do it.”

Cyril Keller
Cyril Keller

It All Started With a Challenge.

Hearing about the Keller brothers' reputation for repairing and building custom machinery that boosted productivity, Minnesota turkey farmer Eddie Velo came to the brothers with a challenge. His two-story turkey barns needed cleaning, but his tractor loader couldn’t maneuver around the upright poles in the barns. The only alternative to date was hours of hard, dirty physical labor that cut into his bottom line. Velo needed a solution that was light enough to be lifted to the barn’s second floor and maneuverable enough to clean around the support poles. The only problem was that no machine existed to handle the job.