Sicey Farm purchases first Bobcat S450 Skid-steer Loader

Sicey Farm, a mixed arable and dairy farm near Beverley in East Yorkshire, has purchased the first Bobcat S450 skid-steer loader in the UK farming industry. The new S450 loader has replaced a previous Bobcat S130 model which had been on the farm since 2004 and is the latest in a long line of Bobcat skid-steer loaders that have been used on the farm for well over 40 years.

The new S450 skid-steer loader was supplied by AMS Bobcat, the Authorised Bobcat Dealer based in Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, and represents the fourth generation of loaders the company has supplied to Sicey Farm.

Bill Rodmell, who runs the farm with his brother, Geoff, said: “I remember the first Bobcat loader we bought from a former Bobcat dealer based in Leeds when I was in my teens – I’m 65 now so that’s quite a history with the Bobcat brand at our farm. Though we’ve tested some other makes, we’ve been Bobcat users through and through – they have always been dependable and reliable tools for use anywhere on the farm.”

The new Bobcat S450 loader is used in conjunction with an existing Bobcat S130 skid-steer loader mainly for distributing brewer’s grain to feed the 90 plus cows in the dairy herd together with the heffers reared on the farm.

Bill Rodmell continued: “With their ability to turn around in their own length and controls that allow for precise movements even in the most cramped of spaces, the Bobcat S450 and S130 loaders provide us with the manoeuvrability we need to carry out the feeding operations and many other jobs in the tight confines of the farm buildings.”

As well as buckets, Sicey Farm has a range of other attachments such as a brush and pallet forks to do a variety of jobs around the farm. Like all Bobcat compact loaders, the S450 and S130 models are each equipped with the quick-change Bob-Tach attachment mounting system, allowing them to be combined quickly and safely with over 70 different Bobcat attachments, delivering versatility and time-saving efficiency across a huge range of different applications.

Like the larger new generation models introduced over the last three years, the new S450 skid-steer loader offers significantly improved comfort and visibility to allow for greater control and accuracy in tight working spaces. In addition, for the first time in a skid-steer loader model in this size class, the S450 loader is supplied with a fully pressurised cab with air-conditioning as an option. Other key features include increased hydraulic performance and efficiency; a new tailgate design; integrated rear bumper and enhanced serviceability.

The new S450 cab is based on that in the larger Bobcat loaders and has been cleverly designed to maintain the loader’s compact size whilst still providing the operator with better comfort and control. The internal area of the cab has been increased by 10% compared to the S130 model it replaces, resulting in more space around the operator.

Bill Rodmell added: “The new S450 loader is an excellent machine and builds on the standards set by the previous generations of Bobcat machines we’ve had at the farm. With each generation, Bobcat has always tried to offer us more from these very productive farm machines.”

With a height (top of cab) of 1976 mm, width over the tyres of 1500 mm and length with standard bucket of 3172 mm, the S450 loader is particularly suited to jobs in confined areas. It combines this with an operating weight of 2240 kg, a rated operating capacity of 608 kg and a tipping load of 1215 kg. The S450 also has a height to bucket hinge pin of 2781 mm and a dump height of 2157 mm.

The S450 combines fast lift arm and bucket cycle times with a fast travel speed of 11.4 km/h (a high range speed of 14.8 km/h is an option) for a variety of digging, material handling and many other applications in the agricultural, construction, rental, landscaping, local authority and industrial sectors.

As well as Bobcat skid-steer loaders, AMS Bobcat is also responsible for sales and service of Bobcat compact tracked and all wheel steer loaders, excavators, telehandlers and utility vehicles throughout Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

AMS Bobcat also offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. Customers benefit from AMS Bobcat’s well-established on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance. The company offers flexible service agreements including 24 hours a day coverage, depending on the requirements of the customer.