Bobcat /Massey Ferguson telehandlers

[marco]

Is anyone here currently running one of these? Anything to look out for? Pros cons. I know of one guy who is running a 2.6 ton 6 meter and is very happy with it.

Currently running a 5 year warranty and 5 year 0%finance offer so maybe instead of buying a second hand telehandler this might be the way to go.

Advertised using a doosan engine. Any comments welcome.

 

[Sparkplug]

Make sure it is initially several thousand less than market leaders, as depreciation is severe - no problem if keeping it 20 yrs - but despite Bobcat selling TH for many years - they sell a very small number in the UK - more popular in Europe - but not a great following in the Uk in any market - they have had periods of selling in quantity to major Plant Hire Companies in the Uk - but when replaced it was not for more Bobcats - it is all about cost of ownership - initial cost - reliability - resale value and JCB & Manitou win hands down - so don't be tempted by the finance and warranty deal without comparing price difference to it's competitors.

 

[br jones]

@BredRedHfd has one and so do i ,an older version with a perkins 1104 ,good machine ,done 9000hr and going strong

 

[danpwll]

get one on demo, we have had merlos and massey dealer said try a massey, we did !! lads left it in shed !!! not a patch on a merlo !!

 

[BredRedHfd]

10 years old, 4k hours. Replaced a boom hose. That's it. Love it! Like putting a pair of slippers on.
Not a big model, and wouldn't want to tow heavy trailers or clamp with it. I have a loader tractor for road work. But for general farm work, dealing with cattle sheds etc, can't fault it. So easy to drive with the hydro. Only thing my dad will now jump on and drive
Oh yes, and the Rexroth hydraulics are the best and most precise I have used out of all the handlers I've driven.

 

[marco]

This all seems good, I read a farmers weekly review and they didn't mark them highly but reading it they marked it down because it was basic and simple to use. Seems ideal to me

 

[Dave6170]

A big farm down the road from me has the bigger model with the curved window. I believe its been very good. 1800hours last I heard.
Some handlers are just too complicated.

 

[deleted user 837354]

10 years old, 4k hours. Replaced a boom hose. That's it. Love it! Like putting a pair of slippers on.
Not a big model, and wouldn't want to tow heavy trailers or clamp with it. I have a loader tractor for road work. But for general farm work, dealing with cattle sheds etc, can't fault it. So easy to drive with the hydro. Only thing my dad will now jump on and drive
Oh yes, and the Rexroth hydraulics are the best and most precise I have used out of all the handlers I've driven.

Cripes, you look after kit if that machine is 10 years old. Looks immaculate.

 

[Farmer Fin]

Bought an 18 plate 7038 Massey badged bobcat in the spring. Reason was there are lots of bobcats going out around us and hearing good reports, plus would trust doosan. As people have said it hadn’t held its value compared to JCB etc, but that benefited us plus as long as it’s not a dog it will stay long enough. 3 people here using it and all happy with it. Lots of power, quick hydraulics. The hydrostatic took a bit of getting used to compared to a JCB. The only gripe we have is the F/R switch on the joystick is operated by your thumb rather than your finger as a JCB; it can be a pain when using boom / hydraulics, although just takes getting used to. Long term I think the values will hold up. They are backing them heavily and I can’t help but think the JCB bubble has burst. They just aren’t what they used to be.

 

[Chae1]

This all seems good, I read a farmers weekly review and they didn't mark them highly but reading it they marked it down because it was basic and simple to use. Seems ideal to me

Probably because they never bought a large enough advert.

 

[Zebbedee]

I don’t normally comment on machines I have never driven but in this case as both normal drivers of bobcat and my driver all agreed it was terrible. This is when a proper demo is needed before you buy. Personally I say stick with the three main brands Jcb/ manitou and merlo depends who has best dealer and price really

 

[Cowabunga]

Doosan own Bobcat, hence the use of their engine.
My opinion is that MF/Bobcat have improved their product greatly over the last twenty years whereas Merlo have significantly failed on the newer models that lack development before general sale and quality control as they are built. Top dogs often get complacent and have keen younger keener dogs snapping at their heals, more desperate for a piece of the action. Merlo once took the market by storm and so did Manitou and JCB in their day. I think there's more choice than ever today and 'the best' tends to see-saw between brands with new model releases. However, sometimes the new model can turn out to be a 'dog' so beware and don't buy a model until it has proven itself for maybe a year or two.

 

[Dave6170]

I've never sat in a new merlo, but isn't the door pillar in the wrong place? Looks like it would block your view left?

 

[quattro]

Seem to be selling quite a lot up here
don’t hear no bad reports either

 

[Nearly]

@TripleSix

 

[marco]

Seem to be selling quite a lot up here
don’t hear no bad reports either

Who's your dealer?

 

[quattro]

Who's your dealer?

Balgownie tractors
Thainstone
Inverurie

 

[Sandy]

I don’t normally comment on machines I have never driven but in this case as both normal drivers of bobcat and my driver all agreed it was terrible. This is when a proper demo is needed before you buy. Personally I say stick with the three main brands Jcb/ manitou and merlo depends who has best dealer and price really

Agree With you, My own opinion is they feel very cheap/basic no secondhand value and very light on the rear axle when loading just bought a new manitou instead

 

[TripleSix]

A big issue is they're hydrostatic, if you're coming off a Manitou or JCB they take a lot of getting used to.
Merlo and Kramer guys get on with them well.

The bigger models have a better transmission if you're doing a lot of road work.
They have a no frills cab with a lot less electrics to go wrong than a lot of brands.

Around £10k cheaper than an equivalent yellow one...

 

[daveydiesel1]

A big issue is they're hydrostatic, if you're coming off a Manitou or JCB they take a lot of getting used to.
Merlo and Kramer guys get on with them well.

The bigger models have a better transmission if you're doing a lot of road work.
They have a no frills cab with a lot less electrics to go wrong than a lot of brands.

Around £10k cheaper than an equivalent yellow one...

Is the hydro not alot more handy around the yard?