Bobcat tried to introduce an all-wheel steer/skid steer machine back in 2002. It was called the A300 and had a switch to go from steer to skid. We also tested the first tracked Bobcats (864 if I remember) for a couple of years.
It’s just a little payloader wearing a skid steer costume. Should work well for the turf guys. Not going to be as stable. Just like a wheel loader when you drop one front tire in a hole it’s going to tilt the bucket. Wheel loaders can also get pretty shady when the bucket is up and you turn to full lock and I assume this would as well.
Kinda neat. I'm sure it's probably the right tool for some people...especially when you don't want to tear up the ground. I can't tell if it's 4-wheel drive or not...if not, I could see that being a con vs a conventional skid steer. Also, the turning ability isn't as tight as a skid-steer...which could be objectionable to some, depending on the use case. Hopefully the connection for buckets/implements is standard. Edit: Looked at the website...it is 4wd. Also, that steering would make it a better mower than a skid-steer. (but, I'm not sure it'd be an ideal mower)
Its a cool, nippy, low impact little machine, makes a lot of sense. What is the advantage of the swing steer system over just an ackerman type setup? That would have allowed an even tighter turning circle, so there must be some extra advantage to the swing steer.
Bobcat made and A300 which which both axles had turning points like the solid axle of the 1980s and further back front axle in 4wd pickup trucks. The claim was less turf damage I imagine same for this machine
Simplicity maybe? Fewer joints and linkages...and if the whole axle moves, you don't have to implement the steering directly on the axle? It may allow them to just use the exact same parts for front and rear axle. I dunno...just guesses. I suppose too, like the other comment...less turf damage. With ackerman...the wheels could turn while stationary...which could tear up the ground. But with the swing steer, it forces the steer wheels to roll, even if you're not moving forward or backward.
I've used similar machines, I'll take a tracked skid steer any day. The articulated steering gets really unstable with weight in the bucket on uneven ground especially on slopes, I used an avant for a job and I never wanted the tractor or skidsteer back so badly 😅
Skid steer with forklift drive. Novel idea. Only issue is durability in deep mud. I know fence workers like skid steers for their go anywhere ability. If mud and debris gets packed in that steering unit will it hurt it or will it make it get stuck quicker? Time will tell.
What advantage does this give over a standard articulated mini wheel loader? Certainly isnt stability, with as light as the back end was acting. Or for that matter, what's the advantage over a compact tractor?
Add accesability from the side and a telescoping arm and you have got yourself a Avant or multione articulated miniloader. Add accesability from both sides and the driver sitting on the rear instead of front and you have pretty much any other brand of articulated miniloader. I think it is kind of a neat idea but purely for people who think a wheelloader can not be scaled down.
Pros, minimizes grass tear up, easier on tires, only one expensive hydro drive. Less parts, potentially more durable than Bobcats 4 corner steering A300. Cons bigger turn radius, less stable when turning with the articulation. Fairly rare, bobcat did a similar articulating forklift basically too. May be a good niche market.
Okay, THAT'S how it should be. Much less tire wear, and much less sod disturbance. Much smoother steering action too. Probably can't turn as tight as a skid steer though.
Just keep it off a hill side. Turning uphill while operating on a hill side will cause this style steering to tumble downhill. This style steering does have some advantages is good for not tearing up turf, and maneuvers sharp repeated turns better, but there are stability limitations on grade changes..
I mean, a skid steer isn't a wheel loader, and a wheel loader isn't a skid steer. Skid steers top out about a 100 horse and pathetic lift capacity. You're not loading rail cars with a skid steer, and you're not landscaping with a 175B Michigan.
Meh ...reminds me of an old Hough loader.....when you back up and steer right your butt goes left first.....kind of an un nerving feeling to get used to.
That's me operating it. It's from north Dakota I believe. And I was super impressed I have run every brand machine in every style wheels track loader excavator compactor etc and it's extremely impressive.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Bobcat tried to introduce an all-wheel steer/skid steer machine back in 2002. It was called the A300 and had a switch to go from steer to skid. We also tested the first tracked Bobcats (864 if I remember) for a couple of years.
Bobcat introduced the A220 in 2001, one year before the A300.
They have different modals with all wheel steering and the a300 is a beast if you need all wheel steer
Makes a hell of a lot more sense than skid! Also saves on fuel, tires and messy tire tracks at end of job!
At least it doesn't tear the grass up when turning
Just gotta find that 40 acre field to turn it in, and the 6 extra month to do the job.😂
It’s just a little payloader wearing a skid steer costume. Should work well for the turf guys. Not going to be as stable. Just like a wheel loader when you drop one front tire in a hole it’s going to tilt the bucket. Wheel loaders can also get pretty shady when the bucket is up and you turn to full lock and I assume this would as well.
Kinda neat. I'm sure it's probably the right tool for some people...especially when you don't want to tear up the ground. I can't tell if it's 4-wheel drive or not...if not, I could see that being a con vs a conventional skid steer. Also, the turning ability isn't as tight as a skid-steer...which could be objectionable to some, depending on the use case. Hopefully the connection for buckets/implements is standard.
Edit: Looked at the website...it is 4wd. Also, that steering would make it a better mower than a skid-steer. (but, I'm not sure it'd be an ideal mower)
Doesn't appear to tear up the grass like a standard skidsteer. Other then that,, how much more is it?
It's just a little front end loader that's made to look like a skid steer. It will not be able to spin around in tight spots like a skid steer.
Its a cool, nippy, low impact little machine, makes a lot of sense. What is the advantage of the swing steer system over just an ackerman type setup? That would have allowed an even tighter turning circle, so there must be some extra advantage to the swing steer.
Bobcat made and A300 which which both axles had turning points like the solid axle of the 1980s and further back front axle in 4wd pickup trucks. The claim was less turf damage I imagine same for this machine
Simplicity maybe? Fewer joints and linkages...and if the whole axle moves, you don't have to implement the steering directly on the axle? It may allow them to just use the exact same parts for front and rear axle. I dunno...just guesses.
I suppose too, like the other comment...less turf damage. With ackerman...the wheels could turn while stationary...which could tear up the ground. But with the swing steer, it forces the steer wheels to roll, even if you're not moving forward or backward.
that counterweight looks way too small, the back wheels are jumping with the bucket at mid height with a light scoop
I don't see what you are talking about. Looks pretty stable for a small rubber tire loader to me. At what point did the tires jump off the ground?
What is the Sense of puting-down a Plastic-Barier if a DUMB-SHIT is going to Toss-Up Clumps and put Holes in It at the Beginning of It's Life?!!🤔😵💫😤
I didn’t see that either. Looks like a longer wheelbase than a standard skiddy
I've used similar machines, I'll take a tracked skid steer any day. The articulated steering gets really unstable with weight in the bucket on uneven ground especially on slopes, I used an avant for a job and I never wanted the tractor or skidsteer back so badly 😅
So what does it cost? And why should we be asking that, when that should be part of the video. You introduce new equipment, give the price. 👍
Skid steer with forklift drive. Novel idea. Only issue is durability in deep mud. I know fence workers like skid steers for their go anywhere ability. If mud and debris gets packed in that steering unit will it hurt it or will it make it get stuck quicker? Time will tell.
Lift height doesn’t look very high???
What advantage does this give over a standard articulated mini wheel loader? Certainly isnt stability, with as light as the back end was acting.
Or for that matter, what's the advantage over a compact tractor?
Add accesability from the side and a telescoping arm and you have got yourself a Avant or multione articulated miniloader. Add accesability from both sides and the driver sitting on the rear instead of front and you have pretty much any other brand of articulated miniloader.
I think it is kind of a neat idea but purely for people who think a wheelloader can not be scaled down.
Pros, minimizes grass tear up, easier on tires, only one expensive hydro drive. Less parts, potentially more durable than Bobcats 4 corner steering A300. Cons bigger turn radius, less stable when turning with the articulation. Fairly rare, bobcat did a similar articulating forklift basically too. May be a good niche market.
landscapers will love this.. if it is 4wd..
Okay, THAT'S how it should be. Much less tire wear, and much less sod disturbance. Much smoother steering action too. Probably can't turn as tight as a skid steer though.
Looks top heavy, also not enough counter weight for bucket capacity.
That's nice you don't tear the shit out of the ground. It does look like you could use a bit more weight in the back for counterbalance
It's like a wheel loader and a skid steer had a baby, and got the worst traits from both.
Just keep it off a hill side. Turning uphill while operating on a hill side will cause this style steering to tumble downhill. This style steering does have some advantages is good for not tearing up turf, and maneuvers sharp repeated turns better, but there are stability limitations on grade changes..
Every machine has its place but not a game changer
Bobcat made a machine called the a770. They stopped making it.
Other small scale loader brands are better these days this would've been a great machine if it was built years ago
Where I live we never have mud...
How much?
I won't believe it's real until the Dirt Monkey pulls a wheely in it
Avant make this kind of loader for many years now
It's got a steering wheel lol.
That’s the original bobcat
It looks like it is not as robust as todays skidsteers. Cant say much more. Is there a web site?
Hey look they put a skid steer cab on an articulated loader
That's a homeowner/landscaping machine. Not big enough for construction work.
Kind of designed like a Moffitt.
Would've been a good idea 20 or 30 years ago, small scale wheel loaders are better than this these days in my opinion
Drive it in the mud 😂
These were called articulated loaders back in the day and were common on work sites until the skid-steer proved to be more versatile and cheaper.
I mean, a skid steer isn't a wheel loader, and a wheel loader isn't a skid steer. Skid steers top out about a 100 horse and pathetic lift capacity. You're not loading rail cars with a skid steer, and you're not landscaping with a 175B Michigan.
Wtf is your helper doing?
thats a payloader in disguise
Bobcat already makes an all steer version. Do ur homework
Looks like a fail. Front loader but not articulated, just made to look like a cheap skid steer.
I wish I ran with this idea when I thought of it 50 years ago. but who was going to listen to an 11 year old kid?
A game changer in the "what were they thinking?" Wing of the failed ideas hall of fame.
Meh ...reminds me of an old Hough loader.....when you back up and steer right your butt goes left first.....kind of an un nerving feeling to get used to.
It’ll never hold up
Looks like it is from China. It even has a Chineese name.
That's me operating it. It's from north Dakota I believe. And I was super impressed I have run every brand machine in every style wheels track loader excavator compactor etc and it's extremely impressive.
Nope. Apparently these are manufactured in West Fargo, North Dakota. The company founders are ex-Steiger execs.
Made in China? What a turd-wagon😂
Made in West Fargo, ND! Gotta do your research.
Avant does it way better
It needs much stiffer tires on it.
Like a bobcat would normally have.
Too much bouncing with the beefed up lawnmower looking ones…