Earthmoving


new cab is roomier than the K-Series cab (10 percent more interior volume), and the enclosed version of the cab is pressurized and has a redesigned one-piece door seal. Interior sound levels are down some 60 percent, compared with the K-Series, according to Bobcat, due in part to a redesigned, three-point, engine-mount system that reduces vibration. Visibility is much enhanced for M-Series


models, with a rear window 14 percent larger and the roof window 43 percent larger than the K-Series design. Also, rear corner posts of the cab index with the upper portion of the lift arms, which means that the lift arms cause no more restriction to visibility than do the cab posts. A quite notable change for the M-Series cab is


its overall larger front door and its considerably lower threshold, 4 inches lower than that of the K-Series. The result, says Bobcat, is a more natural progression, step-to-step, when entering the cab, and significantly easier cab entry and exit. When the comparisons were completed, Mike


When operators Kevin Murray and Russell Peterman used the T590 and T190 to sort steel and concrete debris at a demolition site, both commented on the T590’s enhanced performance and visibility.


Also, the upper cross-tube, which connects the lift


arms, has been raised and dramatically increases rearward visibility. In like manner, the cross-tube at the front has been lowered, again providing significant improvement in visibility to the attachment. Accompanying these changes in lift-arm design and further enhancing visibility are the M-Series’ repositioned cab (2 inches farther forward) and repositioned attachment coupler (moved nearly 1.5 inches rearward). “Visibility to the cutting edge is very good on


M-Series machines,” says Hoesel. “We’ve not only moved the operator closer to the cutting edge, we’ve moved the cutting edge closer to the operator.” Repositioning the coupler also contributes to the


T590’s higher ROC, while maintaining the compact dimensions of the K-Series, although the length of the machine has increased nearly 3 inches on M-Series models. “With this increase in length,” says Hoesel, “we


repositioned the track carriages on the machine, versus the K-Series, to optimize the weight balance and the resulting ROC of the machine. The optimized weight balance also resulted in less horsepower required to turn the machine.” In addition to the new “cab-forward” design of


M-Series models, the cab itself is all new and is exactly the same for all M-Series frame sizes. The


18 January 2013 | Construction Equipment Reprinted from Construction Equipment, January 2013


Fitzgerald, Bobcat’s loader product specialist, and Justin Odegaard, attachments product specialist, loaded the test machines onto a trailer, along with grapple-bucket attachments, and drove 25 miles or so southeast to Sabin, Minn., where local contractor Fitzgerald Construction was tearing down an old factory. Operators Kevin Murray and Russell Peterman were using a large excavator to pull down the steel upper structure and masonry walls of the old building, then sorting the rubble with a Bobcat excavator. We asked if they would use the T590 and T190


to move and stack the steel and concrete debris, taking note of performance and operating differences between the two. After an hour or so, we asked their opinions about how the two models compared. The first comment from both operators


concerned the improved visibility from the T590’s cab: “Better visibility all around,” said Peterman,


“especially through the rear window. When I turned around, I could see much better from the new machine.” “The T590 felt bigger inside,” said Murray, “and


it definitely makes it easier to get in and out of the cab. But I’d say the biggest difference between the two models is the new machine’s hydraulic power— it has a definite edge in the way it performs.” See our video report on the T590 at ConstructionEquipment.com/T590.


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