Bobcat has launched the all-new L100 compact wheel loader and an updated version of the L85, unveiling both models for the first time at GaLaBau in Nuremberg, Germany, running from 15 to 18 September.
The L100 has a 1.0 m³ bucket capacity and the L85 an 0.8 m³ capacity. Both feature a redesigned operator’s workstation, a wider range of application-specific options for landscaping and horticulture, and higher hydraulic performance than their predecessors.
“Compact wheel loaders in landscaping are under pressure every day: completing many work cycles, dealing with changing ground conditions and often very limited space,” says Matyáš Heuer, loader product manager at Bobcat. “The new L100 and the L85 are built for exactly that. They are intuitive to operate from the first shift, deliver high breakout forces for clean penetration and keep the bucket steady even on uneven terrain.”
Redesigned workspace
The centrepiece of the redesigned cab is the way attachments are controlled via the joystick: up to four attachment functions can be operated directly from the joystick without the operator’s hand needing to leave it. Both machines come as standard with a heated cab, adjustable steering wheel, automatic parking brake, a joystick integrated into the seat and a high-resolution display.
An optional 5-inch colour display provides access to further settings, including three selectable drive response modes that adjust acceleration, braking and forward-reverse switching according to the application, and a working mode maximum speed that is infinitely adjustable between 8 and 16 km/h. With automatic ACD attachment recognition, the machine automatically identifies connected Bobcat attachments and adjusts the assignment and logic of the attachment control on the joystick accordingly.
Three further assistance functions are designed to ease everyday work. An automatic ride stabilisation system stabilises the machine while driving by activating the boom suspension through an integrated hydraulic accumulator, keeping the bucket steadier and reducing material loss. A return-to-position automatic function stores the bucket position and recalls it at the push of a button and joystick movement. A bucket shake function is designed to help empty sticky materials, while engine auto-stop and adjustable working group speed round out the package.
Higher hydraulic pressure
Auxiliary hydraulic pressure has been increased from 205 to 235 bar, a rise of 15 per cent, for use with power-hungry attachments such as angle brooms, snow blowers or multipurpose sweepers. A high-flow option offering up to 103.5 litres per minute is also available. The Quick Tach quick coupler system is standard, while the Bob-Tach system and 7- and 14-pin connections are available as options to extend attachment compatibility further.
The L85 and L100 can be ordered in three speed variants, 20, 30 or 40 km/h, to suit registration requirements and application profile. An optional hitch rated up to 3.5 tonnes, with an electrical socket, is available to simplify the transport of equipment between construction sites. For demanding operating conditions, an additional counterweight, a reversible cooling fan to prevent dust clogging, protective plates and a ground protection kit are offered as options.
Maintenance and telematics
Both models share a single service point covering the machine and engine, intended to save time and coordination effort in daily workshop operations, according to Bobcat. The Bobcat Machine IQ telematics system is fitted as standard, transmitting operating data in real time, enabling remote diagnostics and allowing remote activation or engine lockout for theft protection and fleet management.
The standard warranty of two years or 2,000 operating hours can be extended to up to five years or 6,000 operating hours, which Bobcat says is increasingly a decisive factor in calculating leasing costs and residual values.
Technical specification
The L85 is powered by a 50.7 kW (68 hp) engine at 2,600 rpm, with an operating weight of 4,796 kg (5,129 kg with additional counterweight), a bucket volume of 0.8 m³, tipping load of up to 3,007 kg (with counterweight) and a breakout force of 4,588 kg. The L100’s engine produces 55.2 kW (74 hp) at 2,600 rpm, with an operating weight of 5,258 kg (5,581 kg with counterweight), a 1.0 m³ bucket volume, tipping load of up to 3,297 kg (with counterweight) and a breakout force of 5,551 kg. Maximum lift height to pin is 3,250 mm for the L85 and 3,287 mm for the L100, with overall widths of 1,800 mm and 1,807 mm respectively. Both models offer a selectable maximum speed of 20, 30 or 40 km/h.
Bobcat, which has been in operation since 1958, describes itself as the world’s leading manufacturer of compact equipment, offering loaders, excavators, telescopic handlers, compact tractors, lawn mowers, attachments, spare parts and services through a worldwide network of independent dealers and distribution partners. The Bobcat brand is owned by Doosan Bobcat, a company of the Doosan Group headquartered in Bundang, South Korea. More information is available at bobcat.com.
