First Bobcat T870 Compact Tracked Loader in Italy

Having taken delivery of the first Bobcat T870 compact tracked loader in Italy, the Salemme Giuseppe Company of Gerenzano in the Italian province of Varese, put the new machine to work straight away.

The Salemme Giuseppe Company operates in road construction, urban development, excavation works and earthmoving, demolition and utility construction. The company purchased the new T870 compact tracked loader from the Milan branch of the Bobcat dealer, DMO.

The first project for the new machine was at a site where the foundations for the internal road system for a new residential development were being laid. Talking from the site, owner Giuseppe Salemme, explained the reasons for buying the machine: "Our business covers a variety of applications in which the versatility of the equipment is a crucial factor. In addition to several types of larger machines, our fleet already included a Bobcat S250 skid-steer loader, which has proved very useful in numerous applications.

"In light of the type of work we carry out, we were looking for a machine that was not only easy to transport in terms of weight and size, but was also capable of operating in situations where greater power and traction than that offered by the S250 is required. This is a very important aspect of site clearance and excavation work to remove undergrowth and other vegetation for residential and commercial developments and particularly those applications where the nature of the terrain makes the wheeled machine less effective. Another highly important aspect that convinced us to buy this machine was the boom design on the T870, which allows the machine to load a truck with high spill guards without a problem. Also, the great stability that the tracks offer is a vital factor ensuring safety and security in transporting loads with forks, even on very uneven ground."

Anatomy of a Real Champion

The T870 compact tracked loader offers a unique working environment for the operator that sets it apart from the rest with a 30% improvement in all-round visibility over previous machines and a comfortable seat designed to reduce fatigue in the operator even after long work cycles. In addition to the better all-round visibility, the operator has an improved view of the attachment through the use of a larger front door and to the rear through a larger rear window. These features obviously have a positive impact on operational safety.

The Bobcat T870 loader is part of the 800 series, which includes the largest machines of this kind that Bobcat has ever produced. The T870 compact tracked loader features a brand new design that actually has a larger frame than that used on the previous T300 and T320 models.

In addition to the operating comfort, all-round visibility and the new frame, the T870 also boasts a higher pushing force, remarkable hydraulic power and greater durability than other compact machines, coupled with a rated operating capacity and power that make it extremely productive.

The exceptional sturdiness of the T870 and its operating capacity therefore make this loader the ideal machine for all heavy-duty applications that demand greater pushing and digging capacity or require considerable hydraulic power. The T870 is also designed for all those particularly heavy-duty applications in which the operator's safety and comfort are critical factors.

The T870 is powered by a 3.8-litre Kubota V3800 DI-TE3 four-cylinder turbo diesel engine supplying 74 kW (99 HP) at 2600 rpm (SAE JI995). The combination of the engine's power, its operating weight (5751 kg) and the fact that the machine is equipped with 450 mm wide tracks creates the conditions for a truly exceptional pushing and digging capacity. This compact tracked loader also stands out owing to its operating height of 4689 mm, which, as Giuseppe Salemme pointed out, makes it possible to load trucks fitted with high spill guards and various types of hoppers. If used with the forks, it shows its true calling as a material handling machine. The T870 can lift and transport loads weighing up to 1.5 tonne and its incredible lift capacity makes it ideal for use with the heavier attachments in the Bobcat range such as the forestry cutter and the big trenchers.