Did you know that the creation of modern compact loaders and skid steer loaders wouldn’t have been possible without the innovations in snow blowers and plowshares? Without the invention of compact machines, Bobcat Company wouldn’t exist. Here’s a glimpse into the birth and development of Bobcat, the billion-dollar machine manufacturing giant.
The Founding Innovators: The Keller Brothers
The story of Bobcat begins with the ingenious blacksmith brothers, Lewis and Cyril Keller, from Rothsay, Minnesota. Known for their exceptional skill in building small machinery for farmers, their creations fell into two primary categories: farmwork equipment and snow-clearing devices. The brothers excelled in both areas, crafting plowshares for farmers and walk-behind and self-propelled snowblowers to tackle the harsh Minnesota winters.
The Challenge that Sparked a Revolution
In 1956, local turkey farmer Eddie V. approached the Keller brothers with a unique problem: he needed a machine to quickly clear manure from the second floor of his barn. The standard tractors of that era were too heavy and bulky for such a task, especially on the second story. The Kellers didn’t have a ready-made solution in their shop, but they were adept at building lightweight, maneuverable snowblowers and plows. This foundation of knowledge laid the groundwork for a new idea.
The Birth of the Compact Loader
Through a process of experimentation and testing on Eddie’s turkey farm, the Kellers developed the first three-wheeled compact loader. This machine quickly gained popularity among other farmers, and the brothers struggled to keep up with the demand. In 1958, they partnered with the Melroe brothers—Les, Cliff, Roger, and Irving—who owned Melroe Manufacturing Company in North Dakota. This collaboration led to the mass production of the compact loader, marking a significant entry into the compact equipment industry.
Branding and Expansion
The innovative compact machines were soon branded as Bobcat equipment, in honor of the quick, agile, and tough prairie animal. The company’s first true skid steer loader, the M400, was introduced in 1960. Despite an initial slow start, the redesigned and rebranded M440 was launched in 1962 as the Melroe Bobcat, featuring the familiar white color and red accents. The name Bobcat, symbolizing toughness, quickness, and agility, quickly became synonymous with loaders.
Innovating for Success
By the late 1960s, Melroe began expanding internationally, acquiring other businesses, and seeing their annual sales top $25 million, largely thanks to Bobcat equipment. In 1969, the Melroe brothers merged with Clark Equipment Company to continue their growth. While the frame and shape of the Bobcat skid steer loader remained largely unchanged until 1972, numerous mechanical enhancements were made to improve its power, reliability, and safety features.
Versatility and Attachments
Throughout the 1970s, Bobcat loaders began performing tasks never imagined by their creators, the Kellers. They were used for everything from broom sweeping to apple picking, snow blowing, and mowing. The introduction of the Bob-Tach system was a groundbreaking innovation, allowing for quick and secure attachment changes. Unlike other quick-release mechanisms that used pins, which often became loose and wore out, the Bob-Tach’s triple-wedging design provided a tight and durable fit. This system became the SAE standard for all skid steer loaders.
A Global Industry Leader
The invention of compact loaders kickstarted what is now an $11.6 billion global market, cementing Bobcat’s position as an industry leader. In 2014, the company celebrated the production of their millionth loader. Through the 1980s, 1990s, and into the new century, Bobcat’s range continued to expand with larger models that could outperform traditional single-purpose machines. These new models offered multi-use adaptability, providing greater value for money.
International Presence and Further Innovations
During the 1970s, Bobcat equipment arrived in Australia as part of its global expansion, thanks to Clark Equipment Company. The robust and durable products were well-suited to Australian conditions, and the brand quickly became popular. Today, Bobcat operates in Australia in collaboration with the Clark Equipment dealer network, offering excellent service and parts support.
Technological Advancements
Over the years, Bobcat has significantly enhanced the power, capability, and technological advancements of their skid steer loaders. The company expanded their loader family to include compact track loaders in 1999, mini track loaders in 2002, and small articulated loaders in 2020. Bobcat has always been at the forefront of technological innovation in compact machines:
- Keyless Start: In 1996, Bobcat patented the first keyless start option on their loaders.
- Compact Track Loader: In 1999, they introduced the first American compact track loader with a solid-mounted undercarriage.
- Deluxe Instrumentation System: Also in 1999, Bobcat introduced a deluxe instrumentation system providing vital loader monitoring and diagnostic information in seven languages.
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The Acceleration Center
In 2014, Bobcat opened the Acceleration Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. This facility was established to drive innovation in product development, design, prototype engineering, prototype manufacturing, computer simulation, and testing of ideas and concepts. It serves as a key engineering hub for all Bobcat compact equipment distributed globally.
Expanding Product Lines
Driven by a passion to serve customers, Bobcat continued to take on new challenges, engineering and introducing new products and capabilities. They entered the compact hydraulic excavator market, bringing their attachment expertise to these machines. The introduction of the X-Change system allowed excavator operators to quickly switch attachments, significantly enhancing versatility and efficiency.
Continued Growth and Diversification
Throughout the following decades, Bobcat introduced multiple generations of excavator product designs. The first Bobcat-branded compact excavators to reach North America were the models 56 and 76, built in Japan. By 1990, Bobcat became the first manufacturer to produce excavators in North America, a record they held for 25 years.
Recent Developments
In 2002, Bobcat introduced utility vehicles, continuing to seek new ways to help customers achieve more. The brand evolved beyond just compact equipment, returning to its agricultural roots by reintroducing compact tractors in 2019. A year later, they unveiled a full lineup of zero-turn mowers and entered the large excavator market. By 2023, Bobcat expanded their offerings to include forklifts, portable power, industrial air compressors, turf equipment, and a variety of tools.