Bobcat E17 and E20: A Deep Dive into the New Compact Excavators

Bobcat Co. just lately expanded its compact excavator lineup with the brand new E17 and a next-generation E20 type, focused on contractors operating in landscaping, residential building and different programs requiring energy in confined areas. To know the sensible programs for contractors, Apparatus These days spoke with Bobcat product experts at The Software Expo 2025 concerning the design philosophy, key options and function improvements of those new machines.

What was once the method in the back of introducing the E17 along the redesigned E20?

The E17 was once added to the portfolio to function a “worth level system” within the 1- to 2-ton elegance. It supplies a extra reasonably priced choice for contractors who want the core efficiency of a compact excavator with out one of the vital top class options. It comes completely in a cover configuration, which is helping arrange the price whilst nonetheless handing over the crucial functions for this measurement elegance.

The following-generation E20 builds at the luck of its predecessor, which was once already a most sensible performer. We made enhancements to what we felt was once the most productive system in its elegance to make it even higher. Each machines proportion key upgrades, together with a redesigned hydraulic device and usual fingertip controls, however they’re situated to fulfill other buyer wishes and budgets.

Each fashions characteristic a brand new hydraulic device. What are the important thing adjustments and the way do they receive advantages the operator?

Each the E17 and E20 are provided with a brand new closed-center hydraulic device that includes a load-sensing pump. It is a vital improve that improves multi-functioning functions. For an operator, this implies you’ll carry out a couple of movements concurrently — like swinging the growth whilst working an attachment — with extra environment friendly use of hydraulic float. The device delivers clean, responsive keep an eye on and actual positioning.

This enhanced controllability is an important when digging a trench, operating close to foundations or the usage of hydraulic attachments. It permits operators to finish duties extra successfully and with higher finesse, whether or not they’re skilled or new to the system. The enhanced device does not essentially open up a brand new vary of attachments, but it surely considerably complements the efficiency and capability of the attachments you’re already the usage of.

Fingertip controls for growth swing and auxiliary hydraulics are actually usual. Why was once this selection prioritized?

Making fingertip controls usual was once a big center of attention for bettering operator convenience and precision. Up to now, a foot pedal rocker was once the bottom choice for those purposes. Shifting the controls to the joystick permits for a lot finer, extra proportional actions. An operator’s thumb can also be extra actual than their foot, which is significant for duties requiring finesse, comparable to digging alongside a basis or moderately metering hydraulic float to an attachment.

Those controls are proportional, which means a small motion of the transfer ends up in a sluggish, managed motion, whilst a complete push delivers most pace. It is a distinct benefit over some aggressive fashions that can use a extra on-off taste keep an eye on. We consider this selection advantages each seasoned operators who call for precision and more recent operators who to find it more uncomplicated to have all number one controls out there at the joysticks.

What explicit options make those excavators best for tight-access jobsites?

Each the E17 and E20 are zero-tail-swing machines with an in-track swing body, taking into consideration unrestricted rotation when operating as regards to partitions or different stumbling blocks.

A key characteristic for entry is the hydraulically retractable undercarriage. At the E17, as an example, the tracks can retract from a complete width of 53.5 inches down to only 38.6 inches, permitting it to simply cross thru usual gates and slim entryways. The dozer blade may also be manually folded to compare this compact width.

Upgrades to Bobcat’s E20 Compact Excavator come with a redesigned hydraulic device and usual fingertip controls, amongst others.Bobcat Co.

At the E20, we have now progressed the blade retraction mechanism. It now makes use of a easy swivel pivot pin device, making it sooner and more uncomplicated for the operator to retract the blade extensions earlier than navigating a decent area. Those options, blended with handy tie-down issues and an automated slew brake, make delivery and maneuvering on congested websites hassle-free.

The E20 gives an not obligatory enclosed cab. What efficiency and luxury options does it come with?

The not obligatory cab at the E20 is designed for operators who paintings in less warm climates or just favor a extra managed setting. It comes usual with warmth, a Bluetooth radio, 3-d clutch handles and lowered noise ranges.

Past convenience, the cab choice contains two key efficiency options: auto idle and auto shift. Auto idle purposes a lot love it does in a automobile, routinely lowering engine RPM when the system isn’t actively operating to avoid wasting gasoline.

Auto shift complements maneuverability when touring in two-speed mode. When an operator makes a flip in top pace, the system senses the higher load at the tune motors and routinely downshifts to low pace. This offers the important torque to finish the flip easily. As soon as the system straightens out, it routinely shifts again as much as top pace. This permits the operator to commute temporarily and successfully around the jobsite with out manually moving for turns.

How does the efficiency of the next-generation E20 examine to the former type?

The brand new E20 delivers a considerable efficiency spice up. It has a rated raise capability of one,098 kilos and gives 24% extra arm digging drive and 26% extra lifting capability over the blade than the former E20. That is completed thru the brand new hydraulic device, which contains better growth and blade cylinders.

It additionally comes usual with an extended arm for higher succeed in, digging intensity and sell off peak, in addition to an extended blade for progressed grading and backfilling efficiency. Those upgrades make the E20 a formidable and productive system able to tackling extra difficult jobs.

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