Inception of the Bobcat

JMS/.MN · May 8, 2014

google "skid steer invented" for the story of Bobcat. Under the wikipedia article, read "How the Bobcat skid steer came to be". Interesting reading of how an industry was born out of a simple need to move manure!

ShadetreeRet · May 8, 2014

People are always looking for an easier way to shovel sxxt!

Dick2 · May 8, 2014

The computer is an easy way for some guys to shovel it.

ShadetreeRet · May 8, 2014

Chris English · May 8, 2014

www.skidsteerhistory.com/How%20it%20began.htm

Heres a history trail

rrlund · May 8, 2014

I'll be darned. The first ones I ever remember seeing were the Case Uniloaders.

JMS/.MN · May 8, 2014

My first was a 30 hp uni....more downtime than up between the WI engine and the gearbox. I liked the original model pics in the article....similar to the 25th anniversary edition of Bobcat Magazine. Dealer in Dassel, MN has an early model on display. My BIL worked in the Keller shop before they made the first crazy wheeler.

Alan K · May 8, 2014

Do let the politicians get a whiff of that idea...lol.

oldtanker · May 8, 2014

I've had the honor of meeting Cyril Keller. I've also seen the first one the Keller's built. It's in the Ottertail County museum. It's not always on display but sometimes if you ask they will let you in the storage are to see it. Some of the Keller grandkids tried to get a museum going in Fargo ND a few years back. The bought from me a M400, that according o their data was the 6th Bobcat built in 1960. No way of knowing if it was the 6th or maybe the first 4X4 production model made with both the M200 and M400 sharing sequential serial numbers. They built a total of 700 units in 1960, M200 and M400 combined. I believe the engine was the original Onan. When I rebuilt it the crank shaft had a date stamp of Aug 1959.

M200

M400

Rick

DannyE · May 8, 2014

"Bobcat of Bemidji" also has a tricycle model on the floor also. Dan

Phil-mar Farms · May 8, 2014

Butler Bin Company made a machine called the Carscoop during WWII. The lack of manpower to unload boxcars of grain made the machine useful. Butler Bin built a batch in the 1960s,but they did"nt sell well.

WV2CYL · May 8, 2014

Valley Implement in Harrisonburg, Va was the first dealer around and is the biggest in Va now. They have one of the very first ones built if not the first. It has been a while since I looked at it but I don't remember if had the melroe name on it yet

Geo-TH,In · May 8, 2014

So a bobcat is really a pooper scooper? Bob's cat poo?

moresmoke · May 8, 2014

The Bonanzaville museum in West Fargo, Nd has a neat collection of Bobcats.

Mark-Mi · May 8, 2014

A friend of mine has one of the original ones with the two drive wheels and the caster wheel in back.

Bob · May 8, 2014

<img src = "http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto6672.jpg">

I've got it's twin, although the paint ain't nearly as pretty!

I wish someone would come along and convince me they needed it more than I do!

oldtanker · May 9, 2014

(quoted from post at 18:27:49 05/08/14) The Bonanzaville museum in West Fargo, Nd has a neat collection of Bobcats.

I wonder if that's where mine wound up????

Rick

oldtanker · May 9, 2014

(quoted from post at 21:41:44 05/08/14) <img src = "http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto6672.jpg">

I've got it's twin, although the paint ain't nearly as pretty!

I wish someone would come along and convince me they needed it more than I do!

I guess that you have to price it right. I wish I still had mine, it would be handy now.

Rick

Inception of the Bobcat

JMS/.MN

Well-known Member

ShadetreeRet

Well-known Member

Dick2

Well-known Member

ShadetreeRet

Well-known Member

Chris English

Member

rrlund

Well-known Member

JMS/.MN

Well-known Member

Alan K

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

DannyE

Member

Phil-mar Farms

Member

WV2CYL

Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

moresmoke

Well-known Member

Mark-Mi

Well-known Member

Bob

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

Similar threads