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Does Your Tailgate Protect Your Machine?

Posted: 10/16/2016

Protected Components

Jobsite hazards are everywhere - and your loader’s tailgate is the first line of defense. It protects your radiator, engine, and other critical components. That’s why Bobcat uses a solid block of steel to make every tailgate. Unfortunately, other brands don’t have the same quality standards. Kubota®, Caterpillar® and Case® and New Holland® tailgate designs leave your loader open to damage. Watch the test to see for yourself.

Get An Overview

A video about tailgate design on a compact track loader.

Your loader’s tailgate is a key feature. It’s much more than access to your engine It needs to withstand flying debris, corrosion and collisions to protect components inside the equipment from damage. Learn how tailgates affect uptime.

Watch the Full Test

A video about testing tailgates on compact track loaders.

Tailgates vary greatly between brands. That’s why it’s important to consider their quality when selecting a loader. We put leading brands to the test to see which tailgates offer the best protection. See which ones offered the most.

Bobcat vs. Other Brands

Four images compare tailgate durability on Bobcat, Kubota, Caterpillar, Case and New Holland loaders.

Test Results

After comparing Bobcat, Kubota, Caterpillar, Case and New Holland loader tailgates, we saw some major differences in their designs. Bobcat was the only brand that incorporated solid steel doors to offer the most engine and component protection. The other brands use a solid metal edge on the outside of the door, which doesn’t offer the durability of a solid-metal door. Caterpillar also relied on metal meshing to protect key components, while Kubota, Case and New Holland featured louvers. These openings still allow for debris to enter the engine compartment.

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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