Bobcat shows multiple new machines at Demo Days

.

Bobcat used its recent Demo Days event at its Dobris facility in the Czech Republic to showcase upgraded ‘-2’ versions of its most powerful R-series skid steer and track loaders, as well as a new tracked M-series model, the T650, making a return to the European market after an eight-year absence.

Also new at the customer and dealer meeting were its new, soon-to-be-available compact wheeled loaders – upgraded and moving from three to two models – while its mini excavator range will see wider availability of the cylinder inside boom (CIB) design previously used only on its E26 machine.

The new R-Series

The R-Series compact loaders – comprising the tracked T66-2, T76-2 and T86-2 machines and the S66-2, S76-2 and S86-2 skid steers - offer “significant enhancements in operator experience, performance and reliability”, said Bobcat.

This S86-2 and T86-2 units use a more powerful 115hp (85kW) engine – the previous models were 105hp (78kW) – and lifting heights of up to 3.7m. That’s 0.3m higher on the T86-2 and S86-2 loaders.

A new 8-inch touchscreen display with integrated technology offers four drive modes, and side and rear cameras provide 260 degree sightlines to remove blind spots for the operator.

Patrik Natr, senior product marketing specialist, Bobcat EMEA, speaking at Demo Days, said the increase in power was in response to customer requests “because those biggest machines are really used for the advanced applications - with the forestry cutter, the wheel saw or planer, where you really need plenty of power.”

Tracked 650 returns

The new T650 Stage V compact track loader is another machine that comes back because of customer demand, using the well-established 600-frame and powered by a 55kW Bobcat engine.

“There is a huge benefit for those customers because this engine is without AdBlue”, said Natr, “The rated operating capacity of this machine is almost 1.2 tons. So it’s great for not only loading trucks with a bucket, but also for handling heavy pallets.

Bobcat’s T650 loader returns to Europe after an eight year absence, now with a Stage V engine. (Image: KHL Group)

“At the same time, the machine is very capable as a tool carrier because of this high flow delivery of 115 l/min. You can put on this machine whatever attachment - wheel saw, planer - all those advanced applications will be possible because of this high flow delivery.”

The T650 offers a vertical lift path and 1192 kg rated operating capacity, making it suited for truck loading, pallet handling and earthmoving.

It comes with either manual or SJC (Selectable Joystick Controls), which allows operators to manage both drive functions and workgroups (lift/tilt) using two electronic joysticks.

“With SJC, it’s actually a requirement if you want to use this tool carrier concept”, says Natr, “but some people still prefer levers. Manual controls offer better controllability - experienced operators handle the machines better with manual controls.”

Wheel loader upgrades

Meanwhile, Bobcat has had a rethink with the range of compact wheel loaders it produces in Dobris for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, moving from the three L75, L85 and L95 models to two machines, the upgraded L85 and the new L100.

“Why did we decide to have those two models?”, said Natr, “First of all, it’s because of the standard bucket size {0.85m3 and 1.0m3]. We found that customers are choosing based on the standard size of the bucket. It’s very easy for customers and dealers to understand what they are buying.”

The L85 and L100 were previewed at Demo Days and will be officially launched at the GaLaBau show in Germany this September. In production by August, they will be available in Europe by September or October. In North America the L65 and L95 models will still be available, made in Dobris.

Patrik Natr, senior product marketing specialist, Bobcat EMEA, pictured at the 2026 Demo Days event. (Image: KHL Group)

Bobcat’s L100 compact wheel loader, previewed at Demo Days. (Image: KHl Group)

Matyáš Heuer, Bobcat’s senior product manager for loaders, told KHL that the basic version of the L85 will replace the L75, while the L100 takes the place of the L95.

The frames of the two machines are the same, and they share the front frame of the earlier models, but with a new rear frame, which now offers a configurable counterweight. The heaviest version of the L100 weighs 5.6 tonne, while the L85 top weight is 5.1 tonne.

There are three speed options – 20, 30 and 40km/hr. The 20km/hr version is popular in Germany – that one country represents around half of the market for these machines in Europe - while Nordic buyers favour 40km/hr (using a two-speed mechanical gearbox). Other markets usually opt for the 30km/hr version.

“You can have two approaches to the machine”, said Patrik Natr, “it can be either a load and carry machine - so with a bucket or pallet fork - or you can have it again as a tool carrier.

“If you go for load and carry, you don’t need all the equipment, all the technology. You can go with very basic and lower specification, which means that you can keep the cost of the machine down.”

Cylinder inside boom

Bobcat is now introducing its cylinder inside boom (CIB) design for the E50 and E55Z models, expanding the use of the design beyond the E26 excavator, on which it has been used for several years.

These versions of the E50/E55 models will be available by the end of the year or the start of 2027.

The cylinder inside boom (CIB) design will now be available on Bobcat’s E50 and E55 excavators, in addition to the E26 model. (Image: KHL Group)

Natr said this feature will be important for rental buyers, particularly in markets like the UK; “it’s bringing extra protection for the machine, not only for the boom itself but also for the blade.

“When you are digging below yourself, it will be protected against a collision with the blade. It’s a huge benefit for rental companies.”

Also on show at Demo Days was an E60 excavator fitted with an ‘operation by wire’ joystick. This was shown as a prototype only and there are no plans yet for a launch.

Natr said the system offered great flexibility in how the controls are set up; “So it can be very smooth and very slow, with very precise movements, or it can be very fast. We don’t have a plan to launch it, but we are collecting feedback from customers.”

More than 90 machines

Demo Days, which is now an annual event for Bobcat at the Dobris facility, showcased more than 90 different machines from the Bobcat range, as well as many of its 250 attachments and accessories.

Customers were able to operate machines in real working conditions in applications in agriculture, construction and demolition, forestry, grading and earthworks, landscaping, lifting and material handling and road construction.

Katinka Kincses, Bobcat product manager for loaders, said: “It has been 15 years since we started Demo Days and they have proved to be must-visit events for our Bobcat dealers and their customers to try out a wide selection of machines and different types of attachments in working conditions.

Bobcat’s plant in Dobris, Czech Republic, employs 1700 people and produces 25,000 machines a year. (Image: KHL Group)

“They continue to provide the ideal occasions for Bobcat and its customers from all around EMEA to build even closer relationships.”