Largest Bobcat made....

[BIGBEN2004]

What was the model number of a Bobcat made in the 90's that was their largest of the time and also maybe the largest they ever made? I remember a local farmer had one and it looked like a beast. It was a radial lift arm design and was nothing special it was just heavy and that was how it lifted as much as it did.

[Junior M]

Umm Ron would be better to answer this, but I think its the 963?

[AWJ Services]

I think it was a 953.

[Junior M]

Here's a 963 Accurate Machinery has--- http://accuratemachinery.com/equipment/BOB2002963/view_summary

[talus]

I know they hag a 963 g series in or around 2000. I know they also had a 974 and 975. I'm not sure of the years though. The guy down the road has a 974 and it is a beast.

[bobcat_ron]

963, 105 HP with a 3200 ROC, but there was a 980, predecessor to the 974, it had a 6 cylinder Cummins and planetaries in all 4 wheels, I don't even know the ROC, my dad had the actual spec sheets years ago, and it was the monster of all skid steers.
The 943 my dad had was an animal, I felt so small in the cab and it was quite the climb up over the loader arms.

[ksss]

I know they hag a 963 g series in or around 2000. I know they also had a 974 and 975. I'm not sure of the years though. The guy down the road has a 974 and it is a beast.



Its not the 963. I do believe it is the 974. It came with a JD motor and I believe had a 4000 pound ROC. They had an example at ConEx. It was massive.

[Junior M]

You can get the spec's on www.bobcat.com but there home page wont load for me to post the information.

[stuvecorp]

Does any have that 50 years of Bobcat book? It is cool even if you don't care for Bobcat.

They made a 980 from 86-94 that looks like it was the biggest.

[Junior M]

Does any have that 50 years of Bobcat book? It is cool even if you don't care for Bobcat.

They made a 980 from 86-94 that looks like it was the biggest.
In the late nineties it would have to be the 963 though, wouldnt it?

[stuvecorp]

Let me consult the book...

943 85-94
953 94-97
963 97-02
974 75-90
975 74-90
980 86-94

The 980 looks the biggest from the pictures.

[talus]

:o: I'm not worthy.:cry:

[accurate machinery]

Construction equipment guide shows a Bobcat 980 weighing in at 14,430 lbs with a 94 hp Cummins, the 963G series weights in at 9900 lbs and has a 105 hp Perkins. The 980 would be a big dog for sure but the power to weight winner would be the 963.:weightlifter:

[BIGBEN2004]

Where can I find a picture of the 980 and a spec sheet? I just want to see it. I knew I had heard of a monster they used to make and it sounds like the 980 might also be the largest skid loader ever made even bigger then the Gehl that claims to hold the title today.

[ccstrebe]

Found this on google images, check out the size of those tires.

[bobcat_ron]

The 943 my dad had was a beast, but it was the worst machine Bobcat ever made, it always ran hot, even with an over ride fan my dad installed and don't even bother to complain that your tiny S300 has bad visibilty, the 900 series were the worst. It was heaven in the winter time, the air from the rads went straight into the cab, Summer, well that's hell.
I have some amazing photos from the days when Dad built a mounting frame for a MF backhoe, it puts the tiny Bobcat Backhoe to shame that the dealer wanted to sell him, and the JCB 8 foot combo bucket we used for snow removal was massive.
It was sold off to SurfWood Supply for the last of the PC-60's and someone from China threw it into a container and took it to China with all the toys.

[Stick Pro]

the 980 was the largest ever made we have a 01 963g we still run every day that machine is a beast it will outperform any skidsteer on the market curently i love that tractor babcat needs to get there stuff in gear and make another large loader like the 963

[bobcat_ron]

the 980 was the largest ever made we have a 01 963g we still run every day that machine is a beast it will outperform any skidsteer on the market curently i love that tractor babcat needs to get there stuff in gear and make another large loader like the 963

I second that, and 4 wheel steer should be a must have option!

[Junior M]

I second that, and 4 wheel steer should be a must have option!
I would like an S185 sized machine with 4 wheel steer..

[turfguy87]

Didn't Bobcat make a 1080 skid steer or something like that?

[bobcat_ron]

Didn't Bobcat make a 1080 skid steer or something like that?

They did make a 6 wheeled skid steer, but it was Melroe back in the days, there's a pic floating around in the deeps of HEF somewhere.

[turfguy87]

It looked like there was a 10 series that was bigger than the 9 series.

[Junior M]

They did make a 6 wheeled skid steer, but it was Melroe back in the days, there's a pic floating around in the deeps of HEF somewhere.
I've seen it, its not an actual pic but more of a sketch. I think it was labeled the 1080 though.

[turfguy87]

I remember seeing one for sale.

[Junior M]

I remember seeing one for sale.
One of the six wheel ones? There really rare, shoulda jumped on it!

[2109 Stang]

the 980 was the largest ever made we have a 01 963g we still run every day that machine is a beast it will outperform any skidsteer on the market curently i love that tractor babcat needs to get there stuff in gear and make another large loader like the 963
Stick Pro ,with all due respect to your post ,I don't think the 963G is a match in any way to the 2109 Mustang ,and the other 900 series might be rated @ 4000# but in every other aspect the Mustang will outperform those too ,and I have one to put it to the test.

[SellingIron]

This should help... Have a safe New Year's everyone......

[stuvecorp]

Stick Pro ,with all due respect to your post ,I don't think the 963G is a match in any way to the 2109 Mustang ,and the other 900 series might be rated @ 4000# but in every other aspect the Mustang will outperform those too ,and I have one to put it to the test.

I am surprised that the big Mustang/Gehl haven't done better. The have power out the wazoo and major lift height.

[tallrick]

I would love to have a monster sized Cummins powered Bobcat. Even as it is if I cannot fix the Deutz in my bobcat I was thinking of stuffing a Cummins 4BT engine in its place. The 943's must have been awful, as they don't seem to be worth much anymore.

[Tigerotor77W]

This should help... Have a safe New Year's everyone......

Mmm, you need to tell Bobcat to get on that... the Gehl/Mustang are down to 99 HP due to emissions regs. :p

stuvecorp, I think it's the weight and size that really does it. For the weight, a compact wheel loader is probably more flexible (and especially more comfortable) than a very large SSL.

That being said, I would be surprised if Gehl/Mustang haven't sold more of their beasts than Bobcat did with the 963...

[stuvecorp]

Mmm, you need to tell Bobcat to get on that... the Gehl/Mustang are down to 99 HP due to emissions regs. :p

stuvecorp, I think it's the weight and size that really does it. For the weight, a compact wheel loader is probably more flexible (and especially more comfortable) than a very large SSL.

That being said, I would be surprised if Gehl/Mustang haven't sold more of their beasts than Bobcat did with the 963...

I would agree with you on the comfort part. I think the small loaders aren't a good 'value' compared to skids,not saying they are overpriced just more money than I think they should be. Do you think that after a certain size that people just get bigger equipment than to use a large skid to do the work?

[Tigerotor77W]

I would agree with you on the comfort part. I think the small loaders aren't a good 'value' compared to skids,not saying they are overpriced just more money than I think they should be. Do you think that after a certain size that people just get bigger equipment than to use a large skid to do the work?

Hard to say... it's odd that Case came out with a 95XT (which is doing very well), Bobcat followed with the 963 (a tremendous machine, but not a huge seller), and then Gehl followed with the 7800 (another great machine, but I don't know how well it's selling). The 963 was supposed to be a compact wheel loader "killer" in the sense that it was made to have the same productivity characteristics as a CWL.

If Bobcat really will be releasing a S350 or something in 2009, then perhaps the market isn't dead yet -- but here in the States, we don't seem to have a real need for a 4,000 lb ROC machine of any sort. CWL sales aren't amazing, and large skid-steer sales never really caught on. (Europe's another story for CWLs.)

As far as CWL value, I suppose the meaning I intended was just that they might be a more durable, productive solution. Chances are, if you need a machine with that much power, you'll be doing a lot of one thing (lifting, digging, etc) -- and a dedicated task machine (like a CWL or even a dozer or track loader) might be a better option if you're going to be towing/maintaining all that weight anyhow. I haven't looked at prices at all, so I'll take your expertise over mine any day. :)

[bobcat_ron]

And another thing to add to this whole "large skid steer" debate is, the 900 series had their own separate quick attach with the exception of the 963, the inside width between the loader arms is so great, a standard Bobcat Quick Attach frame just won't fit won't out using some funky extension on the main tilt pins, they would need to use a mounting system found on the CWL's.

[ksss]

Hard to say... it's odd that Case came out with a 95XT (which is doing very well), Bobcat followed with the 963 (a tremendous machine, but not a huge seller), and then Gehl followed with the 7800 (another great machine, but I don't know how well it's selling). The 963 was supposed to be a compact wheel loader "killer" in the sense that it was made to have the same productivity characteristics as a CWL.

If Bobcat really will be releasing a S350 or something in 2009, then perhaps the market isn't dead yet -- but here in the States, we don't seem to have a real need for a 4,000 lb ROC machine of any sort. CWL sales aren't amazing, and large skid-steer sales never really caught on. (Europe's another story for CWLs.)

As far as CWL value, I suppose the meaning I intended was just that they might be a more durable, productive solution. Chances are, if you need a machine with that much power, you'll be doing a lot of one thing (lifting, digging, etc) -- and a dedicated task machine (like a CWL or even a dozer or track loader) might be a better option if you're going to be towing/maintaining all that weight anyhow. I haven't looked at prices at all, so I'll take your expertise over mine any day. :)


I am told that CASE may be releasing a 485 sized machine. I hope that happens, but who knows, no one is talking, at least to me. I think you may be right Tiger, I don't know how many of those 4K ROC machines they would sell. When the price tag gets that high for a skid steer you have to really need that extra capacity. I think I would be in, but it would depend on the money and how well it performs. They are limited to 99 hp so if you could get engine specs around 95-99 hp and torque rating at 350-375, that would be good. Breakout around 8-8.5K with lift height around that of the Gehl machine. I would like to see the weight around 11K max. Given current economic conditions, I doubt anyone is spending much on R&D for the time being.

I really like the CWL idea, but I cant swallow the costs. Used would be the best way for me to justifiy one. They sure are nice to run. Great visibility, smooth ride, I have run them but would really like to put one through its paces once and see how effective they are.

[stuvecorp]

Hard to say... it's odd that Case came out with a 95XT (which is doing very well), Bobcat followed with the 963 (a tremendous machine, but not a huge seller), and then Gehl followed with the 7800 (another great machine, but I don't know how well it's selling). The 963 was supposed to be a compact wheel loader "killer" in the sense that it was made to have the same productivity characteristics as a CWL.

If Bobcat really will be releasing a S350 or something in 2009, then perhaps the market isn't dead yet -- but here in the States, we don't seem to have a real need for a 4,000 lb ROC machine of any sort. CWL sales aren't amazing, and large skid-steer sales never really caught on. (Europe's another story for CWLs.)

As far as CWL value, I suppose the meaning I intended was just that they might be a more durable, productive solution. Chances are, if you need a machine with that much power, you'll be doing a lot of one thing (lifting, digging, etc) -- and a dedicated task machine (like a CWL or even a dozer or track loader) might be a better option if you're going to be towing/maintaining all that weight anyhow. I haven't looked at prices at all, so I'll take your expertise over mine any day. :)

As far as the pricing goes it is more how I feel, can't say it is gospel if you know what I mean. I know it isn't apples to apples but to me if I was going to spend what I've been told a small loader is(70,000ish) I would buy a used 3 yard machine. I really like the smaller loaders as in 906 Cat or 221 Case but it is more a wish list thing. The small loaders are awesome in snow removal by the way.

I get the impression that many people classify a skidsteer as only doing so much. I will say once you get more than 2000-2500 lifting class a lot of contractors go with dozers or other big equipment. Kaiser is probably one example of a contractor over achieving with a bigger skid instead of having bigger equipment. I know I get comments a lot from clients or contractors that say 'didn't know a skid could do that' because of perceptions. I find this topic very fun to talk about. Will be interesting to see if this segment grows or is it fully matured?

[stuvecorp]

And another thing to add to this whole "large skid steer" debate is, the 900 series had their own separate quick attach with the exception of the 963, the inside width between the loader arms is so great, a standard Bobcat Quick Attach frame just won't fit won't out using some funky extension on the main tilt pins, they would need to use a mounting system found on the CWL's.

Never knew that. I guess one thing is do you have to have 'extra strength' attachments to handle the power of this size machines?

[2109 Stang]

stuvecorp:I am surprised that the big Mustang/Gehl haven't done better. The have power out the wazoo and major lift height. I don't know if they have sold what they have expected ,but I'm pretty sure they did outsold Bobcat 963 pretty early in their production ,I have only seen 2 963 in my life and this area is big in Bobcat and so far here in the Keys alone I know of three Mustangs .

[bobcat_ron]

Never knew that. I guess one thing is do you have to have 'extra strength' attachments to handle the power of this size machines?

Yup, and Deere CTL owners give me a woot, woot here please.

[stuvecorp]

I am told that CASE may be releasing a 485 sized machine. I hope that happens, but who knows, no one is talking, at least to me. I think you may be right Tiger, I don't know how many of those 4K ROC machines they would sell. When the price tag gets that high for a skid steer you have to really need that extra capacity. I think I would be in, but it would depend on the money and how well it performs. They are limited to 99 hp so if you could get engine specs around 95-99 hp and torque rating at 350-375, that would be good. Breakout around 8-8.5K with lift height around that of the Gehl machine. I would like to see the weight around 11K max. Given current economic conditions, I doubt anyone is spending much on R&D for the time being.

I really like the CWL idea, but I cant swallow the costs. Used would be the best way for me to justifiy one. They sure are nice to run. Great visibility, smooth ride, I have run them but would really like to put one through its paces once and see how effective they are.

I always wondered why Case never gave the 450/90xt or 465/95xt more power? Maybe another thing to overcome in the big machines is cost, you do jump up money wise when you get in the bigger sizes.

[SellingIron]

Stuvecorp, Stay away from the cat 906 WL.. Junk...It is out classed by most... The 963 is done for a reason... They didn't sell. To heavy,wide,price,etc......Bobcat is compact equipment. The X442 is the biggest thing the stuck there name on (16K).....Lets see what happens now that that Doosan has control!!!!!!!

[stuvecorp]

Stuvecorp, Stay away from the cat 906 WL.. Junk...It is out classed by most... The 963 is done for a reason... They didn't sell. To heavy,wide,price,etc......Bobcat is compact equipment. The X442 is the biggest thing the stuck there name on (16K).....Lets see what happens now that that Doosan has control!!!!!!!

I would not buy a 906, we used it for a season and half on snow rental. The first year it was real cheap but the next year it wasn't as a good deal and it wasn't snowing so I sent it back. It performed fine but it just felt cheap, kinda plasticy.

There wasn't too many 963s on MachineryTrader.

[BIGBEN2004]

When Case had the 95XT the dealer told us they were making a 100XT witch never happened. I would doubt they will make anything bigger for any time soon. As far as a market for a larger machine my brother would be the perfect candidate, he loads large square bales and the 95XT just barley gets it done. He won't buy a Gehl since he doesn't like the machine. I must admit the 95XT is one of the best machines I have ever run. He has almost 3,000 problem free hours on it and that is a record in my book.

[mrsops]

There was a nice 963 on ebay last week i think it only had 1000 or so hours. There was a couple asphalt guys out here that had bobcat 963's. Now they both run the bobcat s330

[2109 Stang]

Is the new 300 series the same frame and cab as the 963? I'd always liked the 963 ,it looked big and nicely built ,to me looked bigger than any of the large bobcats ,but again back than that was the largest skid steer around ,can someone explain the difference of these two series? not performance wise but physical sizes .

[Tigerotor77W]

the 900 series had their own separate quick attach

Oh yeah! I forgot about that one.

I doubt anyone is spending much on R&D for the time being.

... I would really like to put one through its paces once and see how effective they are.

First point: the sad thing with CCE is that the housing bubble began to burst before this autumn, so I think manufacturers have been looking at ways to curb costs long before everyone began predicting that the sky was falling. This is probably the reason Bobcat didn't release their machines at ConExpo...

I get the impression that many people classify a skidsteer as only doing so much. I will say once you get more than 2000-2500 lifting class a lot of contractors go with dozers or other big equipment. Kaiser is probably one example of a contractor over achieving with a bigger skid instead of having bigger equipment. I know I get comments a lot from clients or contractors that say 'didn't know a skid could do that' because of perceptions. I find this topic very fun to talk about. Will be interesting to see if this segment grows or is it fully matured?

I think that stigma is even more true in Europe; the CWL is more or less the SSL in Europe, and even Bobcat doesn't have a huge following there. They've been dealing with small lots for ages now, so you'd figure that we'd have our fair share of slower, bigger CWLs and they would be scampering around with SSLs. It could be a variety of reasons why we run different "jack of all trade" machines. Another one is simply ergonomics -- the EU has a bunch of vibration limits for mobile equipment, and CWLs are currently better suited to meet those than are SSLs. Compare a 90s Pettibone telehandler to a 90s JCB or any other European brand (a green brand whose name is eluding me at the moment) and you'll see this stark difference readily. Where the US telehandler was a stubborn mule, its European brethren was a refined stallion.

I think that ksss might *not* be better served with other types of equipment. (Of course there's the stipulation that I haven't studied his situation so don't know what might be better.) For moving serious dirt, a good, powerful SSL really can't be beat by too much. Depending on the situation, a CWL might actually be slower enough than a SSL to be less productive, even with a bigger bucket. That being said, the tradeoff of comfort is definitely one that most operators would take!

And this conversation is interesting. It's really hard to say what'll happen with the SSL market. It's closely tied to the housing market (in the States), so when that swings back, I expect there to be a little more development. Cat and Bobcat are apparently trying to address the skid-steer's uncomfortable heritage, so that's probably the first change we'll see; from there on out, the SSL market may well have fully evolved by then.

I don't know if they have sold what they have expected ,but I'm pretty sure they did outsold Bobcat 963 pretty early in their production

Gehl/Mustang did a better job of promoting their machines than Bobcat did. Bobcat never really promotes a specific machine, and the 963 was no exception.

From a sales standpoint, I have no idea which one has sold better -- but it'd be interesting to see.

Is the new 300 series the same frame and cab as the 963?

Similar (if not same) cab but with updated electronics (at least in the current production models. The early S300s had the same cab and electronics, I believe. The 963 was not offered with SJC but did have a form of anti-stall. :p)

The frame is entirely different -- Bobcat built that machine for serious production.

[bobcat_ron]

I also heard that if you wanted a new one, Bobcat would build it for you, other wise they put their "quality" steel to other uses.
But they pretty much gave up on building them for people around 2002.

[stuvecorp]

I also heard that if you wanted a new one, Bobcat would build it for you, other wise they put their "quality" steel to other uses.
But they pretty much gave up on building them for people around 2002.

That's interesting. It isn't really that bad of an idea, just put all the tooling in the corner and if you had stealthy marketing they could keep moving some. I guess the problem would be keeping workers training up to standards but something like the Tier stuff would kill it.

Tiger, I can understand after spending some time on a Pettibone(mid 80's?) that the ergonomics are totally lacking. That is interesting they have that tight of rules on the machines over in Europe.

It will be interesting to see if the manufacture's try again in the uber-skid part of the market.

[SellingIron]

Hey B-Ron, I was asking around about the 1080 bobcat and found out that its was on 843 FRAME with a front floating axle. It was setup with tree shears and had a roll cage around it. I will try and get some pics. Also, melroe made a wheelloader that had around 1200HP (Cummins).. I will try and get more info and pics>>>>>:usflag:

[bobcat_ron]

Hey B-Ron, I was asking around about the 1080 bobcat and found out that its was on 843 FRAME with a front floating axle. It was setup with tree shears and had a roll cage around it. I will try and get some pics. Also, melroe made a wheelloader that had around 1200HP (Cummins).. I will try and get more info and pics>>>>>:usflag:

Yeah I saw those pics on HEF, the one that Melroe made was also for pushing scrapers I believe, but LeTourneau beat them to it with their monster pusher.

[SellingIron]

Yeah I saw those pics on HEF, the one that Melroe made was also for pushing scrapers I believe, but LeTourneau beat them to it with their monster pusher.


Here we go, Its a Melroe M870. Wheel Dozer.. Trying to find true HP... Turns like a skid steer...

[ksss]

Stuvecorp, Stay away from the cat 906 WL.. Junk...It is out classed by most... The 963 is done for a reason... They didn't sell. To heavy,wide,price,etc......Bobcat is compact equipment. The X442 is the biggest thing the stuck there name on (16K).....Lets see what happens now that that Doosan has control!!!!!!!

I suspect that BC put their name on it because they wanted a presence in that weight class. They rebadged that machine and so their costs to field it were limited to parts and sales training support. No R&D involved. I doubt that model will last much longer.

The 963 did not do well here either. I know of one here. It seemed rather dated to me. It was massive but it did not give me the impression that it was that advanced compared to other machines with similiar specs.

[bobcatuser]

Here we go, Its a Melroe M870. Wheel Dozer.. Trying to find true HP... Turns like a skid steer...

I could use one of those, where can I get it?:laugh:

[xc2010]

Does any have that 50 years of Bobcat book? It is cool even if you don't care for Bobcat.

They made a 980 from 86-94 that looks like it was the biggest.
..........