Bobcat Unveils World’s 1st Battery-Electric Wheel Skid Steer—The S7X

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Bobcat says the all-electric S7X skid steer loader will outperform its diesel-powered equivalent when it arrives. (Photo courtesy of Bobcat.)

Bobcat showed off its innovation chops at the recent ConExpo-Con/Agg trade show with the introduction of the S7X, the world’s first all-electric wheeled skid-steer loader. The zero-emission machine is still in the prototype phase, but Bobcat says it will eventually be a production model. The company also unveiled its “one-of-a-kind” RogueX concept, which Bobcat says belongs in a category all its own. The all-electric machine forgoes an operator station in favor of remote and autonomous operation and offers both vertical- and radial-path lift capabilities.

The S7X

The S7X follows last year’s release of the Bobcat T7X, the world’s first all-electric track skid steer. As it did for that machine, Bobcat worked with Moog, Inc. and Viridi to develop the S7X, which the manufacturer says is equipped to outperform its diesel-powered equivalent. The machine, which produces minimal vibrations and noise, is powered by a 60.5- kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that provides up to 8 hours of operation on one charge, depending on the task. Fully recharging the battery takes about 10 hours. The battery and the S7X’s electric drive motors provide up to three times greater instantaneous torque than traditional loaders, Bobcat says.

“As the inventor of the original skid-steer loader, we are excited to take the machine that created the industry and reinvent it all over again,” says Doosan Bobcat Vice President of Global Innovation Joel Honeyman. “The S7X is an incredible product with real-world application that can support operators on environmentally sensitive sites, in noise-restricted areas, and for indoor operation.” 

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Bobcat’s RogueX is a next-generation all-electric track skid steer that eliminates a cab, leverages advanced kinematics, and provides autonomous operation. (Photo courtesy of Bobcat.)

The RogueX

Honeyman says Bobcat conceptualized the RogueX with an eye on future work sites and what customers’ needs may be. Focal points include ease of use, remote operation, autonomous functionality, sustainable operation, and features that let operators get more done with one machine, he says. In addition to a lithium-ion battery and an electric drive system, RogueX leverages advanced kinematics. These and the lack of an operator cab enable next-gen functionality like RogueX’s dual lift-arm geometry, Bobcat says.

“After our successful development of building an all-electric loader, we wanted to think bigger, broader, and take a leap far into the future,” says Matt Sagaser, Bobcat director of innovation accelerated. “Our dedicated innovation team took a bold approach and designed a machine that breaks all of the rules. RogueX sets a framework for what is possible, and our team is just getting started on what is next.”

Source: Bobcat