The new Bobcat G-series skid steer loader cab design was developed from global operator input. Since the first G-series roll-out in the fall of 1999, operators have confirmed that the G-series does indeed offer a more comfortable, operator-friendly cab. Cab Features Make Difference on the Job Site One distinguishing feature of the G-series cab is its rounded roof lines, which help create a quieter cab ride. The G-series loader line offers buyers two cab options, the standard model or the Deluxe model. “The added insulation of the Deluxe version really reduces the noise,” said Danny Benjamin, owner of Benjamin Design and Construction, Oxford, MA. “The top and rear windows keep the seat from getting wet when it rains and the rear glass reduces the amount of dust coming into the cab from the back.” Benjamin opted for the Deluxe cab when he purchased his Bobcat 773 G-series skid steer loader to do residential and small commercial projects. Wayne Day of Easley, SC, sees two more advantages of these windows. “They’re easy to take out, making it convenient to clean them, and the top window keeps out dirt and rocks, so you don’t have to squint to protect your eyes when you’re dumping into a tall truck,” he said. George Buquo, Jacksonville, FL, who owns a 773 G-series loader, said, “Because the top window is flush with the cab it’s easy to wipe off.” Whether the choice is Standard or Deluxe the operator gets a spacious cab that’s easy to get in and out of and easy to work in. Concrete contractor Jim Peterson, who bought an 873 G-series Bobcat loader with the Deluxe cab for his business, TaskMaster, in Litchfield, MN, said, “The cab is comfortable and easy to enter. You just walk right up into it.” That reflects the design of the cab’s front opening. The roomy interior stems, in part, from the glass door (it curves outward to give the operators’ hands room to operate), ample headroom and a seat bar that pivots from the rear. The rear-pivot seatbar comfortably fits around operators. Besides providing secondary restraint protection, this bar serves another purpose, as Chris Nelson, owner of Chris Nelson Plumbing, Des Moines, IA, discovered with his 773 G-series Bobcat loader. “You can rest your arms on the bar while you operate the levers,” he said. “Its ergonomic set up makes operating the levers very comfortable.” Donnie Wiggs manages the Royster Clark fertilizer plant in Princeton, NC, where a Bobcat 873 G-series loader is used to move and dump fertilizer material. Wiggs said, “There’s plenty of room in the G-series cab. When you sit in it, you feel like you’re part of it. Everything is real handy,” Wiggs commented. True Suspension Seat The optional, full-suspension seat adds to the G-series cab’s comfort. The seat easily adjusts to user weight, leg length and back. The back rest and seat belt move up and down with the seat cushion for true suspension. Benjamin said, “It really smoothes out the ride. There’s a very noticeable difference between the suspension seat and a standard one.” Bright Lights The new super-bright G-series headlights light up a user’s view when darkness descends on the job site or when working indoors. Climate Control Users can control the climate inside the cab with an optional heater. Four rotating vents allow direct heat to the floor to keep feet warm or to defrost the door or windows. Users also can choose factory-installed air conditioning for G-series cabs on Bobcat 800 and 900 loader lines. The system is contained completely inside the machine, yet it is totally out of sight, eliminating roof-top units that can snag on low-hanging obstructions. Only the temperature fan controls and the air-conditioning compressor switch are visible inside the cab. All other heater and air-conditioning components are located behind the cab or inside the engine compartment. Instrumentation The ergonomically placed instrument panels — one in the upper right front corner of the cab and one on the left — make it easy to read the gauges and to reach buttons and switches. “It’s real convenient,” Wiggs said. “You just look up and they’re right there in front of you.” The optional Deluxe instrument panel adds even more convenience. It features anti-theft keyless start, a clock, a job clock, a digital tachometer, four bar graphs and other information in metric or English units to monitor machine operation and diagnose problems. The Deluxe panel also provides helpful information (in six languages) on how to use various attachments. For added peace of mind, the automatic shutdown feature (a factory option with standard instrumentation) stops the engine, if necessary, in the event of certain conditions, such as high-engine temperature or low-hydraulic pressure, that could damage the engine or hydraulic system. This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.
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