Bobcat’s 3600 and 3650 hydrostatic drive utility vehicles are designed to handle and haul more materials for grooming commercial buildings and grounds or maintaining personal properties. They also are the first utility vehicles in the Bobcat lineup to offer cabs with heat and air conditioning. This will provide more comfort than a typical utility vehicle while transporting passengers and for completing multiple work tasks, such as hauling, mowing, sweeping and snow removal.
Two Models Expand Utility Vehicle Lineup
The new 24.8-hp (18.5 kW) 3600 and 3650 utility vehicles extend the Bobcat line of utility vehicles, which includes the 3200, 3400 and 3400XL utility vehicle models, and continues with the Toolcat 5600 and 5610 utility work machines. The 3600 meets the need for Bobcat customers who want the benefits of a hydrostatic drive utility vehicle, while the 3650 will take attachment capabilities to a new level as it is the industry’s first utility vehicle with the capacity to operate front-mounted attachments that are PTO driven, according to the manufacturer.
PTO technology is one of the most simple and efficient ways to transfer engine horsepower to an attachment for optimum performance. This ability positions the 3650 to provide users with a highly versatile machine that fills the gap between standard Bobcat utility vehicles and the larger Toolcat utility work machines.
Durability
More uptime and easy upkeep are important to both homeowners and commercial utility vehicle owners. One of the main drivers behind the 3600 and 3650 was the development of a hydrostatic drive system. The hydrostatic system in the new Bobcat UTVs provides durability, and uses a single two-speed motor with fewer moving parts to achieve fast acceleration and maintain top travel speed.
Another key durability feature of the machines is a diesel engine that will automatically shut itself down if it experiences high engine coolant temperature, low engine oil pressure, or high hydraulic oil temperature. This gives the operator added peace of mind when operating Bobcat utility vehicles in demanding conditions.
Durability is further enhanced with the composite cargo box that resists dents and won’t corrode. Standard features on the Bobcat utility vehicles, such as the skid plate and CV boot to help protect important components from damage when traveling over rough terrain, logs, rocks and other debris. Options such as a brush guard provide additional protection.
Productivity and Performance
The combination of independent front dual A-arm suspension, with rear De Dion suspension that ties the two rear wheels together, improves the vehicle’s ride comfort and provides improved stability to haul and tow heavy loads. These features allow the 3600 and 3650 utility vehicles to achieve an increased payload capacity for towing and hauling. Cargo box capacity alone is 1,250 lbs. (567 kg). At a top speed of 30 mph (48 kmh), that means hauling more with each load and taking fewer trips to get the job done, according to the manufacturer.
Another characteristic of the hydrostatic system is dynamic braking, which occurs when the operator releases pressure on the travel pedal. As the operator lets up on the travel pedal, a valve in the drive motor closes — blocking the flow of oil — which in turn slows the machine down at a similar rate. This dynamic braking feature also makes the utility vehicle easier to control when under load. For greater stopping force, the utility vehicles’ four-wheel disc brakes can be applied.
The 3600 and 3650 utility vehicles’ hydrostatic transmission system offers the best of both worlds for customers combining smooth drivability and durable suspension. With an adjustable front and rear suspension, the operator can choose a setting that matches the load requirements to achieve optimum comfort and traction without sacrificing durability.
The ability to change directions without shifting has improved operator convenience and maneuverability. Operators can perform direction changes from forward to reverse in the new utility vehicles by using a travel control pedal rather than the typical F-N-R lever. This feature makes changing directions as easy as rocking one’s toe to go forward and one’s heel to go in reverse, and is especially beneficial in tight areas around buildings, barns and other structures.
On-the-fly shifting allows the operator to easily adjust to driving conditions, preventing the utility vehicle from getting stuck when terrain turns muddy. These features and others, such as easy-to-see instrumentation, a single-latch tailgate and easy-to-clean composite cargo box, make the Bobcat utility vehicles intuitive to use, according to the manufacturer.
Serviceability
Customers want to spend time operating their UTVs — not trying to troubleshoot them. That’s why Bobcat has incorporated an LCD screen within the speedometer that displays service codes. This allows customers to quickly identify issues with their machine and get them back up and running quickly.
For daily maintenance, access to key components is important. The fuel tank on the 3600 and 3650 utility vehicles is conveniently located and daily checks of items such as fluids, filters and the battery can be made through easy access to the engine compartment. Liquid-cooled engines in Bobcat utility vehicles protect critical engine components from overheating, which also results in more power and performance from the machine, because components are kept cooler at higher rpms.
Comfort and Ease of Use
Along with hauling materials and cargo, transporting passengers in comfort is an added benefit for even the hardest-working utility vehicles. Comfort features on the 3600 and 3650 include tilt steering, ample legroom and foot space and two-passenger bucket front seat standard on the 3650. A dealer-installed bench front seat capable of seating up to three occupants also is available on the 3600 utility vehicle.
Customers who need to feed their livestock and clear snow, or continue other projects into cold winter days or hot summer afternoons will find shelter from the elements with the optional cab that is equipped with heat and air conditioning. The cab’s modular design can provide customized protection for the operator and passengers. As an added benefit, the entire cab construction can be assembled or disassembled in pieces within 30 minutes.
There’s no need to be cut off from communication because of a dead cell phone battery when working on a job site. Two 12-volt accessory plug-ins allow the operator to conveniently charge a cell phone, iPod, or other electrical devices.
Versatility
The more tasks that one piece of equipment can complete, the more productive and profitable it can be for an owner. To meet job site needs for snow and ice removal, the 3600 has an optional integrated snow blade and a sprayer that can be mounted in the vehicle’s cargo box.
Customers who choose the 3650 utility vehicle will have the same compatibility but with twice as many tools. The 3650 utility vehicle’s exclusive Multi-Attachment X-Change (M.A.X.) provides integration and versatility not found on ordinary utility vehicles. In addition to the sprayer, it also will have the capability of powering front mounted PTO-driven attachments including a snowblower, mower and angle broom, as well as non-PTO attachments consisting of the snow blade, pallet fork and bucket. These six attachments, combined with a maximum lift height of 2 ft. (.6 m) and rated lift capacity of 500 lbs. (227 kg), allow the 3650 to accomplish tasks from clearing sidewalks of snow and debris to moving dirt or palleted materials.
Another valuable feature for operators of the 3650 utility vehicle is the ability to operate the throttle independent of the travel control pedal. A first for the utility vehicle market, this capability allows the operator to set the engine speed with a throttle rather than having to use the accelerator pedal to increase engine rpm. Separating the two functions gives the operator the freedom to run powered attachments more efficiently with the rpm they require yet at low travel speeds. This feature also will be beneficial when the vehicle is under load and high torque is required, but speed is not desired.
For more information, visit www.bobcat.com.
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