The launch of Bobcat Company’s new E85 makes it the largest machine in the company’s compact excavator family.

The 8.5-ton E85 joins the fastest-growing-size class of compact excavators in North America.

As part of the new R-Series model, the 66-horsepower E85 is designed and manufactured in Bismarck, North Dakota. It shares the same Bobcat turbo-charged diesel engine technology – that does not require a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) – and similar cab upgrades found on the current R-Series excavators. A new standard lift eye is included to help operators properly lift and place objects.

The 33 cm of tail overhang allows the E85 to work in compact environments, including construction, landscaping, utilities, rental and agriculture.

The excavator’s boom swing frame stays within the width of the machine’s tracks as it swings, making it easier to perform in confined jobsite conditions and next to buildings or other obstructions where larger equipment can’t fit.

The Bobcat depth check system

Bobcat excavator operators can dig faster using less effort and have greater precision with the depth check system – an optional accessory available for select Bobcat excavators. The E85 can be equipped with the system, allowing operators to accurately measure depth and grade without exiting the excavator. The depth check system has an accuracy of about 125 mm, reducing the need for excavator operators to stop the machine to measure depth and potentially entering and exiting a trench with a measuring device. It also helps to reduce over-digging and under-digging, and the costs and time associated with backfilling. Another benefit of the system is that no additional display screens are required, allowing for more operator space in the cab.

New Cab layout

Bobcat has redesigned the E85 cab for an “unbeatable” operator experience, the company claims. Like other R-Series excavators, there is more floor space in the E85 for the operator’s feet and legs. Redesigned travel pedals fold away, maximizing floor space even more. The E85 seat and cab are also wider, providing plenty of elbow room. Operators will appreciate the optional automatic heating and air-conditioning systems for complete control over the cab climate, as well as an optional heated seat.

The new machine features a standard, easy-to-reach control pattern selector. This feature is conveniently located within reach, allowing the operator to quickly switch from ISO controls to standard controls. With the repositioned second auxiliary hydraulic selector switch, operators are able to toggle between the optional second auxiliary and the boom offset without removing their hands from the left joystick.

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The design maintains wide-open access to the engine area for daily maintenance checks. Operators have panoramic access to the engine and routine maintenance components for service and to help minimize machine downtime.

This R-Series excavator also has a variety of optional comfort and performance enhancements, including:

• Hydraulic pin-grabber quick coupler accessory to quickly change attachments from the cab.
• Secondary auxiliary hydraulics to operate attachments with multiple capabilities.
• Deluxe instrumentation panel for fast access to critical machine information.
• Factory-installed steel tracks and segmented tracks.
• Travel alarm to meet localized jobsite requirements.
• Rear work light kit to brighten worksites at night.
• Counterweight to add lifting capabilities.
• Guard kits for the front and top windows to elevate the cab to a Level 2 FOPS rating.
• Keyless start to increase machine security.
• Radio kit.

A new tubular-frame reinforced cab door comes standard, which holds a tighter seal, helping keep out dirt and dust for an enhanced operating experience.

High-quality finish

The new R-Series E85 features strengthened hinges and latches, as well as rigid, aligned excavator panels to reduce vibration in the cab, especially when working on rough surfaces.

Easy maintenance

A lower engine compartment and relocated hydraulic valves makes it easy to access and service the machine, according to Bobcat. In addition, greasing intervals have been extended to 50 hours for the swing and slew and to 250 hours on upper work group pivot points for improved uptime.

Equipped with eight machine tie-down locations, securing the E85 to a trailer and ensuring proper transportation procedures are followed is simplified. In addition, lower cab height also makes it easier to transport the machine from jobsite to jobsite.

Bobcat R-Series E85 specs:

  • Horsepower: 66-hp Bobcat turbo-charged diesel engine
  • Operating weight: 8.608 kg
  • Bucket digging force: 16,269 lbf.
  • Arm digging force: 8,253 lbf.
  • Rated lift capacity: 4,424 lb.
  • Maximum reach at ground level: 7.2 metres
  • Maximum dig depth: 4.7 metres
  • Maximum dump height: 5.1 metres
  • Width: 221 cm
  • Auxiliary hydraulic flow: 95 litres per minute
  • Tail swing type: Conventional