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Posted: 01/01/2016

Efficient Control Operation

Controls on excavators should give skilled operators the ability to perform many functions at the same time. With well thought out controls you can offset, move the machine, plus run the attachment and work group at the same time. That’s why operators can control boom swing, auxiliaries, and angle blade functions with simple fingertip controls on Bobcat® compact (mini) excavators. Caterpillar®, John Deere®, and Kubota® place important functions on the floor where they’re in the way and difficult to operate with precision. Watch the test to see for yourself.

Controls Overview

 Efficient controls overview for compact (mini) excavators video.

When operating an excavator, you’re often required to complete numerous movements at the same time. They may include offsetting, moving the machine, plus running the attachment, and work group. Standard foot controls can limit your ability to control those functions efficiently. That’s why some brands offer fingertip controls, which enable multiple concurrent movements.

Watch the Full Test

Efficient controls for compact (mini) excavators comparison video.

Operation controls on the industry’s top brands of excavators can vary greatly. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your options. We tested the top brands to see the differences. Which brand compact (mini) excavator has the most capable efficient controls? Watch the test results to find out.

Bobcat vs. Other Brands

Table of controls comparison for Bobcat vs Caterpillar vs John Deere vs Kubota compact (mini) excavators.

Test Results

Bobcat compact (mini) excavators feature fingertip controls for the auxiliaries, boom swing, and angle blade. For you, that means it’s possible move the machine, and run the attachment and work group at the same time. Caterpillar®, John Deere®, and Kubota® include one or two of these controls at most. Only Bobcat excavators deliver everything you need.

Fingertip Boom Swing Control

Close up of Bobcat compact excavator joysticks.

Bobcat excavator controls allow you to make fine movements with low effort and maximum comfort – so you can get precise results in less time, with less fatigue. A rocker-style thumb switch, located on the left joystick, provides superior boom swing control with better metering than foot pedals.

Predictable Controls

Bobcat E35 compact excavator lifting with a bucket and clamp attachment.

Bobcat compact excavators deliver the house, boom, arm and bucket control you expect in the most challenging work environments. It’s the confidence in these precise movements that determines whether you complete the job using your machine, or with two workers and a pair of shovels. This predictable control is delivered through exclusive control valve systems and torque-limiting piston pumps that match force with demand.

How We Test Equipment

Bobcat Advantage behind the scenes testing equipment video.

When you’re shopping for a new machine, it’s easy to compare specs. After all, that’s the best way to compare machines, right? Not quite. With specs, you’re only getting part of the story. They don’t measure real performance on your jobsite and that’s what matters most. It’s the reason we put top brands through the paces with fair, accurate, and repeatable tests. Watch to see how we developed the tests.

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