New V638 Gives Building Contractors a Big Lift

Bobcat V638 Telescopic Tool Carrier

The new pick-and-place V638 VersaHandler® telescopic tool carrier takes performance to new heights.

Featuring a three-stage boom that extends to a maximum lift height of 38 ft., 11 in., the V638 is ideal for construction contractors and rental centers, according to Eric Brown, Bobcat product specialist.

"It offers the lift height and reach to save time and labor for framers, masons and others who need a compact machine to carry, lift and place a variety of building materials," he says. "Unlike most other machines on the market with a similar lift height, you can equip the V638 with an optional field-installed stabilizer kit. It improves side-to-side stability when lifting on uneven ground."

The V638 is also outfitted with more standard equipment, such as fenders, mirrors and road and working lights, than other brands, making it a better value for your money, Brown adds.

Available with a choice of canopy or enclosed heated and air conditioned cab, the V638 offers many of the same features as the VersaHandler V518 and V723 models. These features include:

Easy-to-use hydrostatic transmission.
You can shift-on-the-fly to transition smoothly from low to high speeds. The inching pedal, which lets you control travel speed independent of engine RPM, is another convenience feature.

"You can maintain full engine RPM while hydrostatically controlling the machine's ground speed," Brown says. "For example, you can operate the boom at maximum engine RPM for fast cycle times, while traveling at any speed within the transmission's speed range. It's a real benefit when picking and placing materials, and you only need to move the machine just a little to reposition it. The inching pedal also reduces wear on the disc brakes.

Dynamic braking system.
As soon as you let off the accelerator pedal, the V638 will slow and stop, a benefit of the hydrostatic transmission.

Unitized frame design.
Rigid, light and strong, the V638's frame provides the strength to lift as much as heavier machines within its size class. Plus, it does not flex as much as a conventional rail frame.

Full belly pan.
The frame's full belly pan provides total protection of machine components.

Easy-to-use controls.
A single, loader-style joystick controls lift and tilt functions, while variable-control thumbwheels on the joystick activate boom extension and auxiliary hydraulic functions.

A single shuttle lever controls forward and reverse travel and high and low speeds. Another single lever operates turn signals, horn and high-beam road lights.

Easy-to-read sweep gauges make it easy to check hydraulic oil temperature, engine temperature and fuel level.

Side-mounted engine.
This feature provides much faster and easier access to routine maintenance items than some other brands with a rear-mounted engine. Mounting the engine on the right hand side of the machine gives you better visibility to the sides and rear of the unit.

Visit your participating Bobcat dealer and see for yourself how the new V638 can lift your jobsite productivity to new heights. Operator training resources are available to meet OSHA CFR 1910.178 training requirements for rough terrain forklift trucks at www.training.bobcat.com.