Bobcat Company history

Velo allowed the Kellers full access to his operations, and after the Kellers learned of drawbacks with the belt-driven transmission, they developed and patented a more robust clutch-based transmission system in 1958.

1959, M-200 three wheeled loader is released Next generation M200 Melroe self-propelled loader introduced.

The design inspired the M200 and eventually the first ever skid steer in 1960.

During these years, the Bobcat skid steer survived from inception in 1962.

Melroe replaced the M440 with the Bobcat M444 skid-steer loader in 1963 and, in the same year, the first M444 loaders arrived in the European market.

1967, Melroe acquires Reiten Manufacturing Melroe brothers expand their agricultural product line and purchase Reiten Manufacturing of Cooperstown, North Dakota, a maker of moldboard plows.

1968, Gwinner manufacturing complex expansion Gwinner manufacturing complex expands to eight buildings.

1969, Melroe is acquired by Clark Equickment Company Sales top $25 million.

The M970 is also the first Bobcat loader to incorporate a lever-actuated attachment mounting device -- called the Bob-Tach® system when it is patented in 1972 -- instead of pin-on attachments.

A vertical forklift mast option makes it popular with bricklayers. It is built until 1975.

Another decade later (1980) the company reaches its 100,000th loader milestone.

The M-600 is released and remains in production until 1981.

When the last M610 rolls off the assembly line in 1982, it signifies the end of the clutch-drive loader and the transition to diesel powered equipment.

The strategy lasts 10 years and, much to the dismay of competitors, is touted in ads saying, “Still at 1983 Pricing.” As a result, the skid-steer loader becomes a cost-effective solution of choice across many industries, unseating the once popular tractor loader backhoe.

Over the next decade, several different models are built -- including the 1080 and an innovative six-wheel drive model 1213 -- but the product line is discontinued in 1987.

In 1990, Bobcat becomes the first manufacturer to make excavators in North America, a record that would remain for 25 years.

The market for articulated loaders doesn’t grow as expected and the line is discontinued in 1995.

Renames to “Bobcat” division in 2000

In two more decades (2001), it hits the 500,000-loader mark.

In 2007, Ingersoll-Rand sold Clark Equipment Company to the Doosan Group of South Korea, along with the rest of its construction equipment group for US$4.9 billion.

However, since the 50th anniversary and 750,000th loader celebration in 2008, the pace is even more impressive: one loader built every 12.5 minutes!

First-ever Bobcat-branded Tier 4 engine is used in the 500 and 600 frame sizes in 2014.

With their announcement this winter at Intermat 2018, Bobcat Company is certainly going to continue to be a player in the heavy machinery industry.