Bobcat invited members of the media and digital content creators to Terrell, Texas, on July 31, 2026, for a hands-on demonstration of the company's latest compact loaders and technology.
The event gave attendees dedicated time behind the controls of Bobcat's new Classic and Pro loader models while rotating through product stations highlighting advancements in machine performance, operator controllability, jobsite awareness and AI-powered productivity tools.
Scott Johnson, Bobcat's senior director of product for loaders, said the product evolution centers on helping operators accomplish more while giving customers a clearer distinction between machine offerings.
"The Classic lineup is for customers who want a dependable machine focused on getting the job done," Johnson said. "The Pro models are designed for customers looking to improve efficiency, productivity and operator experience through new technology."
One of the largest updates showcased during the event was Bobcat's new drive mode system for Pro loaders. Operators could switch between four selectable modes — agile, balanced, dynamic and charged — each adjusting drive speed, acceleration and machine responsiveness to match different operating styles and jobsite conditions.
According to Bobcat, the agile setting closely mirrors the feel of previous-generation loaders, while dynamic and charged provide an increasingly aggressive machine response for experienced operators seeking maximum performance. Balanced offers smoother, more controlled operation for precision work or less experienced users.
Attendees also experienced Bobcat's expanded jobsite awareness technology, including a 270-degree camera system and proprietary radar detection that alerts operators as they approach obstacles before automatically reducing machine travel speed to help avoid collisions. Bobcat said the radar system was introduced earlier this year and is exclusive to the company.
Another highlight was Jobsite Companion, Bobcat's intelligent in-cab operator assistant system designed to make the machine easier to operate and help customers complete work more efficiently
With Jobsite Companion, operators can create and manage jobs using voice commands while tracking job progress in real time to stay on plan. Equipment owners benefit as well; integration with Bobcat's telematics portal, Machine IQ, gives them visibility into job costs and profitability, keeping them connected to business performance and the bottom line.
The platform simplifies operation by automatically recognizing attachments and recommending optimized machine settings. The machine helps configure itself for the work, resulting in more efficient, consistent performance for different operators. Couple that with a growing number of machine commands (from settings adjustments to fault code assistance), and Jobsite Companion is paving the path for smarter job sites and more efficient operators.
Johnson said the focus of the technology is helping operators work more efficiently while giving equipment owners greater visibility into job progress and profitability.
Performance upgrades also were demonstrated throughout the lineup, including enhancements to controllability across the Pro lineup and updates to the T86-2 compact track loader. Bobcat increased the machine's output to 115 hp and reintroduced a 12-ft. lift height, providing additional reach for loading trucks and handling materials.
Throughout the day, participants rotated through demos before spending additional time operating the machines in a dedicated "playground" area where they could evaluate the new technology firsthand and speak directly with Bobcat product specialists.
This story also appears on Aggregate Equipment Guide.
