Bobcat Co. is expanding its excavator product offering with its newest addition: the Bobcat E165 large excavator — the largest excavator in the lineup.

Similar to the E145, the E165 complements the performance of 700 and 800 frame size Bobcat compact track and skid-steer loaders. The new excavator is ideal for heavy digging and lifting operations on commercial and residential building sites and more.

The E165 is equipped with a 131-hp engine and conventional tail swing design and hydraulics that provide reliable, steady power to the large excavator workgroup. The E165 boasts a lifting capacity that enables operators to move items with ease, as well as more slew torque for slewing uphill, backfilling and  better productivity. With its advanced hydraulics and powerful pumps, the E165 delivers powerful performance.

The E165 has four selectable power modes. Whether the priority is efficient fuel consumption or all-out power for tough digging applications, operators can set performance to the demands of the job. Plus, a convenient power boost button on the right-hand joystick temporarily increases hydraulic power to allow operators to break through hard ground.

• Power+ mode: Get top work group speed to load trucks in less time or sustain peak performance in the most demanding applications.
• Power mode: Command impressive power and performance for tough digging, quick loading and heavy lifting. Save even more time with fast travel.
• Standard power mode: Get balanced performance and reduced fuel usage for routine digging, lifting and grading.
• Economy mode: Optimize fuel economy when power demands are lower or when doing precise digging and fine grading.

Additional E165 features include:

• X-Frame undercarriage, which increases ground clearance and maneuverability in softer ground conditions. The X-frame undercarriage has sloped surfaces that shed debris to prevent material buildup and reduce the time spent cleaning the undercarriage.
• Smart power control, which matches the load to engine rpm, hydraulic pump torque and engine response, improving efficiency in any of the four power modes. This feature is only enabled while in digging work mode.
• Variable speed control, which improves fuel efficiency by up to 5 percent by automatically reducing engine rpm during low workload requirements, such as the slew portion of the dig cycle.
• Pump torque control, which prevents engine overload by matching the hydraulic demand with available engine horsepower.
• Auto-idle, which idles the engine automatically when machine movement stops for several seconds. This is a standard feature on Bobcat excavators to help save fuel and lower noise to improve operator comfort.
• Auto-shift, which improves machine responsiveness and controllability by shifting to low range automatically when the load is high and back to high range when the load diminishes.

The pressurized cab features a seamless sound-isolating seal to keep sound levels low inside the operator station, and the cabin is isolated from the frame to reduce noise. Combined with the heated air-suspension seat, operators will experience minimized vibration and maximum comfort.

The large cabin provides good visibility for operators to the front and sides of the machine. An overhead window provides operators with great visibility above the machine, plus narrow corner pillars and small window joints, as well as a removable lower-front window,  provide a view that allows operators to see the work without obstruction. Front and top sunshades provide additional protection from eye strain while enhancing comfort.

Other comfort features include a premium heat and air-conditioning system, an easy-to-read, 7-inch LCD display panel and standard rearview and side-view cameras.

The E165 also includes wide-open access covers that provide plenty of room to reach the top side of the engine, while a hinged belly pan allows access from the bottom. Solid steel side covers provide quick access to regular daily maintenance items for easy upkeep and more uptime protection. Centralized grease banks can be easily accessed on the base of the boom to make essential daily maintenance quick and easy.

In addition, the excavator will remind operators when oil and oil filters need replacing before service is due. Operators can also review the hours worked since last servicing the machine as well as historical machine alerts via the bright, easy-to-read LCD monitor.