Bobcat builds bigger with the introduction of new high-performance mid-size wheel loaders

Bobcat may be synonymous with compact equipment, but the company's latest product introductions are a strategic shift into larger territory. Bobcat's new wheel loaders range from 142 to 189 horsepower, with operating weights between 27,274 and 34,487 pounds and bucket capacities ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 cubic yards. With the rollout of the L205, L235, L255, and L285, Bobcat is entering the mid-size wheel loader market, offering contractors high-performance machines without the bells and whistles that can inflate price tags. 

According to Luke Hill, senior product specialist at Bobcat, the move is rooted in evolving contractor needs.

"Our customers are growing. Their job site needs are growing. Their businesses are growing," says Hill. "Their equipment needs are also increasing. So our goal here is just to grow with our customers."

A seamless step up from Bobcat's compact wheel loaders 

Bobcat has already spent years establishing itself in the compact wheel loader segment, which helped ease the transition to heavier machines. According to Hill, snow removal emerged as an important driver behind the shift.

"Our compact wheel loaders met many demands, but we recognized an opportunity to better serve our customers, particularly in northern states, by offering machines with higher capacity and speeds for demanding winter snow work," he says. 

The new lineup positions Bobcat dealers to serve contractors who previously had to go elsewhere for their larger equipment needs. For longtime Bobcat users, this means the ability to stay with the same brand and dealer, even as their job sizes and project scopes scale up.

"We're committed, and our dealers are committed, to offering that same exceptional service to compact equipment owners with our new heavy wheel loaders," says Hill.

Challenging the competition in the heavy equipment space 

While the size class is new for Bobcat, Hill sees it as a natural opportunity for the brand to compete with full-line brands and to offer something slightly different.

"We're focusing on those core productivity enhancements without having some of the expensive frills you see on other established wheel loaders," he says. "We want to be high performance, high productivity, at a very attractive price point."

Hill believes this approach will also appeal to users of competitive equipment.

"It gives our dealers and Bobcat the opportunity to play in a backyard typically dominated by companies that have a full line of equipment," he adds. 

Earth-moving performance features that matter 

Each of the four models shares the same core productivity-enhancing features designed to support efficient operation across a range of jobs. These features include:

Return-to-dig: Helps operators consistently achieve the correct bucket angle for grading or snow removal, reducing cutting-edge wear and improving material pickup.

Ride control: Stabilizes the machine when travelling with a full bucket, minimizing material loss and improving roading comfort.

Inching mode: Disconnects the transmission to deliver full power to the loader arms while stationary, allowing for faster loading and dumping.

"These are features that increase productivity, especially for newer operators," says Hill. "They're intuitive and effective."

All four machines also offer selectable power modes for job-specific fuel efficiency and quieter operation. Visibility from the cab is another standout.

"We have windows that stretch from floor to ceiling," says Hill. "So the visibility in these wheel loaders is just tremendous. We have a glass door with a frame where you can open the window or see through the door almost entirely, just driving excellent visibility and awareness on the job site."

Which loader is right for the job? 

While the core features remain consistent, each model in the lineup is tailored for specific job site needs:

L205: The most unique of the group, featuring a hydrostatic transmission for smooth, intuitive operation. It's ideal for snow removal in residential areas and small-scale construction projects. "It's kind of your do-it-all machine at a cost-effective price point," says Hill.

L235: A versatile option with an automatic transmission and a three-cubic-yard bucket. Well-suited for construction or snow removal, it offers more capacity and power than the L205 without a major size jump.

L255: Slightly larger than the L235 with a 3.5-cubic-yard bucket and increased lift capacity. Hill notes that it's optimized for loading material into taller trucks or stockpiles.

L285: Bobcat's largest wheel loader to date, with nearly 27,000 pounds of straight tipping load and maximum material-moving capability. "You're getting solid performance and the ability to move a massive amount of material," Hill says.

All four machines are available with Bobcat's dealer-installed payload scale system and are compatible with third-party machine guidance solutions like Topcon for grading and material placement.

"We can offer those high-end guidance features either through Bobcat or close collaboration with a third party," Hill notes.

Supporting contractor growth through service 

The shift into heavier equipment also means making sure Bobcat's dealer network is ready, and, according to Hill, they are.

"Many of our dealers already do a very good job at on-site and/or remote service. This is going to be nothing new for those dealers," Hill says. "We do have many dealers that are taking our heavy equipment lineup for the first time with this [expansion into larger wheel loaders], and they're getting creative in how they'll fit those into their shops."

Built for rental fleets 

Rental contractors have long associated Bobcat with compact machines, but Hill sees strong potential for the new loaders in fleet applications.

"It allows our dealers to go for that full line of heavy compact equipment," says Hill. "We can go after those rental companies or those rental customers that come in and need a [larger] wheel loader to move material quickly across the job site, and also need compact [machines] to clean up or get into smaller areas. Now our dealers can target both with a full range."

A message to contractors 

For contractors who haven't previously considered Bobcat, Hill has a clear message: now is the time.

"For those compact customers who also own heavy equipment, Bobcat is ready to play," he says. "Our dealers have exceptional service, and we have the performance to match."

While initial shipments are just reaching dealers, early feedback from demos has been strong.

"They're absolutely blown away at the power and performance," says Hill. "The excitement is real."

This article originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of Heavy Equipment Guide.