Executive Hire News › Archives › November 2009 › Market Report : More new Bobcats
Market Report : More new Bobcats
As predicted in our September issue, Bobcat has launched two more E series mini excavators. Nick Johnson appraises both machines and test drives the new 1.3 tonne E14.
Having launched other new compact excavators earlier this year, Bobcat is piling on the pressure to gain more sales in a highly competitive market by adding two more new models. Its latest contenders are the E14 and E16 that weigh in between 1.0 and 2.0 tonnes, so as to slot into the volume sector of the mini market.
Developed to replace the 319 model, the new E14 comes as standard with an hydraulically extending undercarriage that increases width from 980mm to 1330mm. The machine weighs 1303kg when supplied with a TOPS/ROPS canopy and it is able to dig down to a maximum depth of 2301mm.
There are two versions of the bigger E16 - one with a fixed 980mm width base and the other with an hydraulically extending undercarriage which allows its operating width of 1360mm to be reduced to 980mm for easier transportation and access to confined spaces. The E16 will effectively replace both the established 321 and 323 models. When fitted with a TOPS/ROPS canopy, rubber tracks and a 400mm bucket, the operating weights of the fixed and expandable undercarriage E16s are 1515kg and 1555kg respectively.
Longer boom and dipper arm
Compared to the E14, its bigger brother sports a longer boom and, when fitted with the side extending tracks, a longer dipper arm. Maximum digging depth increases from 2422mm to 2602mm when the long arm is fitted, but there is no increase in the 1068mm tail radius - it is the same as the E14. Good stability is maintained on the deeper digging E16 by using thicker steel plate for the robust rear engine compartment door. Both the E14 and E16 utilise a 3-cylinder Kubota diesel engine rated at 13.3hp. The first of these new Bobcats to reach the UK was an E14 and I was able to put the unit through its paces on a site in the Midlands. The test E14 was fitted with a Klac manual quick hitch that allowed rapid interchange of a 300mm wide digging bucket and a 1000mm grading bucket. The digging bucket was first used to excavate a trench and I was soon impressed by the smooth controls and, most particularly, the precision of the slew function. Unlike some other mini excavators I have driven, the E14 allowed a very accurate return to the trench line on each cycle and this attribute should endear it to site agents keen to maximise production.
The trenching work was carried out with the tracks fully extended and the new optional longer arm dozer blade lowered - a combination that resulted in a very stable platform. The front of the long arm dozer blade option on the E14 - it is standard on the E16 - extends forward from the machine’s axis of rotation by 1260mm - 348mm more than the blade on the former 319. This extra forward reach also proved useful when reinstating the test area. I found that I could more effectively ‘dust pan’ material using the grading bucket and blade than on machines that have shorter blade arms.
Top mounted boom cylinder
The E14 follows the design philosophy used on the 319 in that it has a top mounted boom cylinder that makes it less vulnerable to damage than more traditional under-slung cylinders. The new machine’s hydraulic lines are sensibly located within the boom and dipper arm to provide better protection and not restrict visibility from the operator’s seat.
Bobcat’s engineers have produced a new, increased strength boom for the E14. This curved boom contributes to an enhanced digging envelope (maximum dig depth is 293mm more than that of the 319) whilst not compromising excavation work close to the excavator in confined spaces.
In moving from the 319 to the E14, Bobcat has also increased the size of the hydraulic cylinders. This action improves the breakout forces and lifting capacity of the newcomer and it, together with the provision of more hydraulic flow from new Rexroth pumps, allows Bobcat to confidently claim a 15-20% increase
in digging performance.
As standard, the E14 comes with single speed travel (up to 2.1km/h). There is a high speed (up to 3.5 km/h) option with the speed range switch located on the lop of the dozer blade control lever. This is an interesting option as it is not offered on similarly sized minis from some other leading competitors. The hydraulic track extension and retraction is carried out using the dual operation dozer control lever. Changing from dozer control to track extension is carried out using a switch on the offside console next to throttle lever.
Hirers concerned about site damage will be pleased to learn that the E14 has not only a very substantial rear engine compartment door, but also durable metal side covers. The working light on the side of the boom also has a sturdy metal guard.
During digging and dozing on site, the new E14 proved to be a good performer with plenty of power. I particularly liked the controllability of the slew function and the extra operational flexibility provided by the long arm dozer option. My test unit did not have end-of-stroke hydraulic cylinder cushioning on the boom raise and dipper in and out functions, but these useful features will be available on all subsequent production machines.
The E14 and E16 have been developed, and are being produced, at the Bobcat factory in the Czech Republic. This is the source of the smaller Bobcat E08 and E10 compact excavators (with the same Kubota engine) that are proving popular with an increasing number of hirers. Now the availability of the bigger new generation E14 and E16 should help Bobcat become a significantly greater force in compact excavators in this country. •
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