The Lowest Cost of Ownership Awards are the industry’s only accolade of its kind, based on empirical data regarding the long-term cost of heavy and compact equipment. Nominees were recognised within 15 different categories of machine that exhibit the lowest cost of ownership over a five year span.

The Winners are...

The S70 won the Lowest Cost of Ownership Award in the category entitled Skid Steer Loaders and the MT55 was the winner in the Loaders Compact Track category. Other categories included those entitled Backhoes, Dozers Track Large, Motor Graders and Excavators Crawler Medium, which was won by the Doosan DX300LC-5 30 tonne excavator.

The S70 skid-steer loader is the smallest model in the Bobcat skid-steer loader range. With a width of 901 mm, a height of 1814 mm, an overall length with standard bucket of 2472 mm and an operating weight of only 1268 kg, the S70 skid-steer loader ticks all the boxes for compactness, transportability and manoeuvrability. The rated operating capacity of the S70 is 343 kg (ISO 14397-1).

With its small dimensions, the S70 model can access sites with narrow openings such as gates, alleys or aisles. The S70 is ideal for work in tight areas where larger machines cannot manoeuvre effectively. It provides a versatile and compact solution for rental fleets, demolition, construction, landscaping, farming and general material-handling applications.

The S70 is driven by the 17.5 kW Kubota D1005-E4B-BC-3 diesel engine. The power output from the engine together with the 1268 kg operating weight results in a higher power to weight ratio compared to other machines on the market. With a hydraulic flow of 37 l/min, the S70 offers excellent versatility through the ability to work with an extensive range of Bobcat attachments.

Compact yet powerful, the MT55 mini-track loader is ideal for mechanising manual work in confined and limited access areas where it is not possible to use larger machines. With an overall width with bucket of just 903 mm, length with bucket of 2365 mm and height of 1246 mm, the MT55 is ideal for digging, loading and clean-up applications (both indoor and out), particularly on construction, demolition and landscaping sites.

Powered by a 17.5 kW Kubota D902-E3B diesel engine, the MT55 has a rated operating capacity (ISO 5998) of 254 kg and a tipping load of 732 kg. With the arms in the fully raised position, the MT55 has a height to hinge pin of 1807 mm and a dump height of 1265 mm.

The MT55 features an all hydrostatic transmission and track drive system, providing smooth operation and excellent manoeuvrability. The durable rubber-track undercarriage of the MT55 distributes the loader’s operating weight of 1186 kg over a large area to reduce ground pressure and minimise disturbance to turf and other established surfaces. The C-Pattern tracks provide excellent traction and flotation for digging and other applications and for working in muddy or wet conditions. The MT55 has a maximum forward travel speed of 5.6 km/h and 2.3 km/h in reverse.

Thanks to more than 20 attachments, its compact size, low ground pressure, and outstanding manoeuvrability, the MT55 is an ideal machine for the equipment rental industry as well as landscape contractors, eliminating much of the hand labour normally found in earthmoving and fencing applications.

Total cost of ownership is one of the most important aspects that buyers take into account when they purchase equipment and these two awards show why Bobcat equipment is always rated highly for great performance and value-for-money. The awards are also a further confirmation of why the Bobcat range of skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders continues to lead the market worldwide.

The LCO Awards are the industry’s only accolade of their kind, based on empirical data regarding the long-term cost of heavy and compact equipment. They are organised by EquipmentWatch, a world leader in data, software and insights for the heavy equipment industry. Nominees are recognised within 15 different categories of machine that exhibit the lowest cost of ownership over a five year span.

Total cost of ownership is one of the most important aspects that buyers take into account when they purchase equipment. The awards won by the T590 and S70 are a testament to the reputation for high performance, quality and reliability that the Bobcat range of compact loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers and attachments has established over the last 60 years.

Commenting on Bobcat’s success in the LCO Awards, Jiri Karmazin, Loaders Product Manager Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “We are delighted to win these awards again. They demonstrate why even after more than 60 years, the Bobcat compact loader range continues to be the market leader, so that one in every two skid-steer loaders sold today is still a Bobcat machine. It is our commitment to outstanding quality, workmanship and innovation that has helped to maintain our market leadership.”

The Bobcat T590 and S70 Compact Loaders

The T590 compact track loader has an operating weight of 3548 kg, a rated operating capacity (ISO 14397-1) of 971 kg and a tipping load (ISO 14397-1) of 2774 kg. A particular aspect of Bobcat compact track loaders like the T590 is the excellent ground-hugging abilities and stability offered by the tracks for work in harsh, wet conditions and for utilities and road maintenance with Bobcat planer and wheel saw attachments.

The S70 is the smallest model in the Bobcat skid-steer loader range. With a width of 901 mm, a height of 1814 mm, an overall length with standard bucket of 2472 mm and an operating weight of only 1268 kg, the S70 skid-steer loader ticks all the boxes for compactness, transportability and manoeuvrability. With its small dimensions, the S70 model can access sites with narrow openings such as gates, alleys or aisles. The S70 is ideal for work in tight areas where larger machines cannot manoeuvre effectively.

The T590 and S70, like all Bobcat compact loaders, are equipped with the quick-change Bob-Tach attachment mounting system, allowing them to be combined quickly and safely with a very wide choice of Bobcat attachments, delivering versatility and time-saving efficiency across a huge range of different applications.