Bobcat has added to the company’s agricultural telehandler range with three new machines which it lists as large high flow models.
The models in question are the TL34.65HF V-Drive, TL38.70HF V-Drive and TL43.80HF V-Drive which all utilise the ‘V-Drive’ continuous transmission system.
Bobcat has said that they are designed to offer greater comfort and productivity while improving operators’ peace of mind and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of equipment during its lifecycle.
Transmission choice
By adding the V-Drive models to the existing range, Bobcat still offers the current gearbox transmission for the high flow models, so customers can choose between the existing gearbox system or the new V-Drive continuous transmission.
Using dual hydraulic motors in series, Bobcat has been able to maintain the same performance as the current gearbox transmission.
Unlike the current transmission, the V-Drive transmission allows the operator to drive from 0km/h to 40km/h without the need to stop the machine or worry about changing the gear before starting.
This simplicity, combined with the efficiency of the V-Drive transmission, is said to offer comfort and peace-of-mind for the operator as well as smoothing out the changes in gear.
The hydraulic tank has also been redesigned resulting in a 70L capacity, up from 59L in models with the current transmission.
Dual range from Bobcat
In the new V-Drive models, the low and high speed hydrostatic ranges, referred to as turtle and rabbit by Bobcat, are still available and are always selectable through the joystick.
Both hydraulic speed ranges have been optimised with specific curves according to the requirements of the application with the slower mode working from 0km/h to 20km/h while the drive mode spans 0km/h to 40km/h.
A further benefit claimed for the V-Drive transmission greatly improved traction, providing a smoother, quieter and jolt-free ride even when hauling fully loaded trailers.
It is said to adapt to any terrain, offering best-in-class grip and stability, even when the operator is tackling rough ground or slippery surfaces.
Quieter ride
Following work with external acoustic experts to significantly reduce the noise (inside and outside the cab) thse new models are said to be significantly quieter.
Among the changes made to achieve this, the hydraulic motor has been suspended with four rubber mounts, resulting in a decrease of 60% in vibrations, and the whistle sound of the transmission has been fully eliminated.
A number of attractive features are included in the base models, including tractor homologation, 40km/h road speed and 7″ touchscreen display.
