We can’t talk about construction equipment without mentioning Bobcat. The brand has made a name for itself by manufacturing tough, versatile, and reliable equipment. They specialize in a variety of equipment like tractors, telescopic handlers, utility vehicles, and excavators. In this review, we will be looking at the Bobcat E26 Model. This compact equipment has been designed to perform a variety of excavation tasks. Let’s delve further into its capabilities.

Bobcat E26 Specs & Key Features

Technical Specifications

Below is a rundown of E26 Specifications

Engine

• Emissions Tier (EPA): Tier 4
• Engine Fuel:
• Maximum Governed RPM: 2,500 rpm
• Horsepower: 24.8 hp
• Turbocharged Engine: NO
• Optional Turbocharged Engine: N/A

Note that a higher RPM can be very beneficial in heavy digging because it means more power and quick working time.

Performance

• Operating Weight: 6,489 lb
• Weight class: 9 t
• Travel speed: Low 3.2 mph and high 1.8 mph
• Arm digging force: 3,547 lbf
• Bucket digging force: 5,652 lbf
• Rated lift capacity: 2,359 lb
• Lift radius: 118 inches
• Boom swing (Left): 70°
• Boom swing (Right): 55°
• Max dig depth 114.4 in
• Max dump height: 129.6 in
• Max reach at ground level: 192 in

Considering it’s a mini excavator, the Bobcat E26 weight (2.9 t) is enough to stabilize the equipment. The dual travel speed allows you to move at the pace you prefer. You can pick the low range for tasks like dirt pushing and slot dozing, or high speed for increased mobility.

The swing boom, which rotates 70° to the left and 55° to the right, gives this excavator flexibility to dig around obstacles. As a compact excavator, it has a limited digging depth (114.4 inches) and a small lifting capacity. (2,359 lb). That means the equipment is limited to small to medium-duty jobs.

Advanced Features and Technologies

One of the reasons the Bobcat E26 stands out is because of its advanced features and technologies that make it an efficient piece of equipment on the job site.

Auto-Shift: This feature allows an automatic speed transition. The excavator automatically shifts from high to low speeds or vice versa, giving you optimum travel performance.

Auto-Idle: The feature makes it easier to pause your work whenever you need a break or want to communicate with others on the site. It will help you save fuel as well. To resume work, move the joystick control, and the excavator will return to the recent throttle position. You can turn this feature on or off whenever you please.

Fingertip Boom Swing Control: This feature lets you make movements with minimum effort enabling precise results with less fatigue. For this feature, you’ll use the rocker-style thumb switch on the left joystick, which is a better alternative than using foot pedals to control the boom swing.

Selectable Auxiliary Hydraulic Flow: Bobcat E26 has an operating pressure of 2610 psi and a pump flow capacity of 12.5 gal/min (45l/min). This feature allows you to pick an auxiliary flow rate that matches a specific attachment, such as an auger drive unit or bucket.

In-Cab Comfort Features: When it comes to in-cab comfort, Bobcat doesn’t compromise. The cab has been designed for comfort, ensuring less fatigue even on days you have to do long shifts. There is plenty of legroom and headroom, an ergonomic seat, and adequate lighting for increased visibility. Plus, with the optional heated seat, nothing will slow you down.

Performance Review of Bobcat E26

Here is a short performance review of this equipment.

Efficiency and Productivity

Despite its compact size, Bobcat E26 is a powerful machine that will take your performance to the next level. This equipment was designed with fuel efficiency in mind. With a fuel tank capacity of 9.1 gallons (34L), you can operate the equipment for longer hours without refueling. This saves time, reducing the overall cost of operating the machine.

In addition, you will find features designed to enhance your productivity at the job site. Some of them include the following.

• In-track swing frame: Ensures the swing castings and cylinders stay within tracks when you’re digging in an offset position. This helps you dig against obstacles.
• Protected components: The E26 is equipped with protected hydraulic lines, a durable tailgate, and smart hose routing to prevent the equipment from damage, reducing downtime at a job site.
• Simple machine tie-down: The E26 has four tie-down points that are easily accessible, allowing you to secure loads quickly and start your job quickly.
• X-Frame undercarriage: The x-frame undercarriage comes with great ground clearance enhancing your performance in challenging conditions. Dirt and other materials can quickly pass under the equipment, leaving less debris and making cleanup a breeze.
• Integrated slew brakes: They hold the load steady on slopes to allow accurate placement.

Versatility and Adaptability

The Bobcat E26 mini excavator is a versatile tool for handling different jobs. You can use it for material handling, demolition, landscaping, river dredging, drilling holes, and many other projects. You can also can use different attachments based on the job you’re doing. Some of the attachments you can use include the following.

• Auger driver
• Tilt bucket
• Grapple bucket
• Grading bucket
• Trenching bucket
• Hydraulic thumb

Operating Experience

In most excavation jobs, you’ll probably be seated for 8+ hours. That means you need a comfortable place to sit to reduce fatigue. Aside from that, safety is key. This is heavy equipment, and one wrong move can injure someone or damage property. Let’s take a look at the operating experience you can expect with the Bobcat E26.

Operator Comfort and Ergonomics

The Bobcat E26 has been designed with operator comfort in mind. The company recognizes the importance of a comfortable working environment, so the machine has a spacious cabin and ergonomic controls.

The spacious cabin provides enough room to move around, giving you a sense of freedom as you work. On the other hand, the controls are well-positioned to minimize strain and fatigue, allowing you to work long hours without discomfort. In addition, the hydraulic system has been designed to reduce noise and vibration for a comfortable working environment.

Safety Measures and Precautions

Bobcat E26 is equipped with safety features to prevent injuries on sight or damaging the equipment. For example, the cab has large windows and well-placed mirrors, ensuring operators have a clear view of their surroundings. This reduces the risk of accidents. In addition, the minimal tail swing reduces the risk of damaging the equipment or surrounding objects.

It’s important to adhere to this equipment’s safety practices to promote a safe working environment. For example, don’t exceed its load limit to keep the equipment and service the equipment as needed to keep it in good shape.

Maintenance and Servicing

Like any other equipment, maintenance is vital to ensure optimum performance. Thankfully, maintenance is easy. The smart layout and wide opening give you access to important components and enough space to work with.

Some regular maintenance checks for this equipment include the following.

Every 10 Hours (Before Using the Excavator)

• Check engine oil level and add if needed
• Check the condition of engine air filters and air system
• Check the coolant level in the engine cooling system and ass coolant if needed
• Clean and replace seat belt retractors if needed

First 50 hours

• Change fuel filter
• Replace engine oil and filter
• Check drive belts and replace them if needed

You will also need to grease the swing bearing every 50 hours. For more information on maintenance, check Bobcat’s service and maintenance page.

One of the major maintenance problems is a hydraulic system malfunction, such as fluid leaks, reduced pressure or power, and overheating. Inspecting the hydraulic component routinely will prevent this problem. Another issue is undercarriage damage which occurs because of debris and dirt. If left unchecked, the equipment can fail.

Conclusion

Bobcat E26 is a compact and versatile piece of equipment designed to handle various tasks. Its small size allows it to work in confined spaces, and its solid construction ensures it lasts a long time. That said, since it’s a mini excavator, it has a limited digging depth and lower lifting capacity.

So, is this equipment right for you? It will depend. If you’re doing heavy-duty excavation jobs, a more powerful excavator will do. But for small or medium-duty excavation works, the Bobcat E26 will do just fine.

FAQS

What type of jobs is the Bobcat E26 best suited for?

The Bobcat E26 is suited for jobs like site preparation, digging and trenching, landscaping, material handling, and road maintenance.

What attachments are available for the Bobcat E26?

The attachments available for the Bobcat E26 include a hydraulic thumb, bucket auger, grapple, and scraper.

How often does the Bobcat E26 need to be serviced?

The routine maintenance schedule is based on hours. There are some maintenance checks you’ll have to do after particular operating hours (50, 100, 250, 500, etc.) You also need to do seasonal maintenance whether the machine has operated for 50 or 500 hours.

What are some common problems with the Bobcat E26?

Some common problems include undercarriage wear, hydraulic fluid leaks, and operator errors like overloading.