It is well known in the world of construction machinery that certain markets have certain peculiarities – traits that are intrinsic to that market and instantly define its identity. When it comes to the Middle East, there are two such constants: a preference for the backhoe loader, and price sensitivity. And Bobcat knows this well.
Our region swears by the backhoe loader. Here in the Middle East, it is an essential piece of kit on any job-site, no matter if it’s a small private villa being built or a large public infrastructure project – and everything in between.
While in the advanced markets of the West, contractors send in mini excavators and compact wheel loaders for such jobs, in the Middle East – and indeed in much of the wider region, such as in Africa and especially India – the backhoe loader is the go-to option.
Municipal and maintenance jobs? It’s the backhoe loader that’s preferred. Utilities and civic jobs? Send in the backhoe loader again. Civil contracting, landscaping or even helping on larger job-sites? You guessed it, it’s the backhoes loader that will be on the scene.
Given its importance, any manufacturer operating in the medium to compact equipment space needs a capable backhoe loader in their line-up. And an economically priced one at that, offering value to the owner.
Bobcat pulls off backhoe trick
Bobcat, the leader in the compact equipment space managed to pull both off those tricks in the third quarter of this year with the launch of its made-in-India B730 M-Series backhoe loader, conceived and built at its modern Doosan Bobcat manufacturing facility in Chennai, India.
Speaking exclusively to PMV Middle East about the new launch, Gaby Rhayem, Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and CIS countries at Doosan Bobcat EMEA, says: “Our mission is to develop our backhoe loader business for Bobcat in the Middle East and Africa. Both regions are huge markets for the machine, especially Africa, and the backhoe loader segment is growing exponentially, registering higher growth figures than other compact kit, such as the skid-steer loader.
“We definitely have the ambition to grow our sales and grab a bigger market share in this segment. The market is increasingly moving towards focused products that are not very high-end in terms of both technology and price – yet are robust, reliable and capable. And this is where the ‘made in India’ label is getting bigger and more prominent. Everybody is buying made-in-India where the backhoe loader is concerned.”
And indeed as the largest global market for backhoe loader sales, and with over 50% of the world’s production, India is the world’s backhoe-loader central. If there is one territory where this machine is even more preferred than in the Middle East then it is India. And if there is a market that is even more price sensitive, then, again, it is India.
“The India-made machines offer Middle East customers a value proposition that is almost unmatched. Firstly, there is the lower manufacturing cost when compared with making the same model in an advanced market. And then there is the proximity of the Middle East and India in terms of geography, which translates into much lower shipping costs and also reduces the lead time,” says Rhayem..
“More importantly, while there is a gap in the price point at which we can offer a made-in-India machine versus machines manufactured in other regions, there is no gap in quality. While the machine we are making in India is a more attractive product because it is a basic, no-frills machine that use components like mechanical gearboxes, for example – the quality of what they produce is right up there.
“In other words, had we made the same basic product in a more advanced market, the quality would not have been any better, but it would still have cost more to produce because of the economics involved.”
Bobcat’s “correct machine for the right job”
Describing the new machine, Rhayem says the B730 M-Series backhoe loader is a “very focused machine”.
“You can do your work with this machine as well as you can with any other comparable model and perhaps even better. There is no gap in performance and no gap in quality. It is right on par, and perhaps above par in robustness because, let’s not forget, it was built with the tough conditions of India in mind.
“At 94HP it is down only 6HP in power when compared to the Bobcat R-Series backhoe loaders. That is a power difference that operators will not even feel. It’s like you’re getting your work done just as well, but you’re using a machine that is adequate for you with nothing extra. But in a real-world job-site scenario, you would not need this extra bit anyway. It’s the correct machine for the right job – that is perhaps an apt way of describing it.”
Bobcat has designed the B730 M-Series with a strong focus on durability in challenging conditions. The model incorporates renowned industry-leading components known for their reliability, and ease of service and maintenance in the field. These high-quality, proven components are sourced from renowned brands, and include the Perkins 1104 engine, Carraro axles and transmission, and Parker pumps – all ensuring “superior dependability and effortless serviceability”, according to Bobcat.
“The well-proven Perkins High Torque engine is well-balanced with the hydraulic Tandem Gear Pump and Synchro Shuttle (SPS) transmission to provide excellent productivity and fuel efficiency,” Rhayem notes.
He adds that the B730 M-Series’ hydraulics also provide class-leading backhoe breakout forces, along with the highest loader lift and push breakout in its class. This is coupled with backhoe digging depths of 4.63m (standard arm) to ensure the B730 M-Series is perfect for any site.
The independent steering pump and hydraulics unloading system are standard – helping the machine to provide power only when needed, and keeping the systems cool in harsh working conditions. The front loader’s ‘return to dig’ feature is also standard and assists productivity when dozing and loading materials.
High-performance aluminium coolers and a durable and efficient Multi-Wing cooling fan provide a highly effective cooling system, ensuring the performance of the B730 M-Series is not compromised by even the hottest and harshest conditions.
“The extra-large 160-litre fuel tank and excellent fuel efficiency ensure outstanding autonomy. You can keep working for longer without the need to refuel. We’ve also made the fuel tank of corrosion-resistant plastic and protected with metal guards to bring even more toughness to the market,” Rhayem points out.
Bobcat provides 2-year warranty as standard
In fact Bobcat is so sure of the quality and durability of its B730 M-Series backhoe loader that it provides a standard two-year warranty, which provided extra protection and peace of mind.
“One of the things we have seen happening in recent times is how ‘Made-in-India’ machines have become accepted for their quality and robustness in the Middle East – and indeed elsewhere, too, such as in Africa. And this is from almost all manufacturers,” Rhayem highlights.
“So when we had our backhoe loader factory in Chennai, India, come on line for Bobcat, it was a no brainer to have it produce the B730 M-Series for export to the Middle East and Africa markets.
“It’s been two-and-a-half years since the Chennai factory started producing the B730 M-Series for the Indian market, and a year-and-a-half since it started exporting to Latin America. And now, it has started exporting to the Middle East as well, starting in late 2023.
“The first units landed here in the third quarter of 2023. There is great demand and enthusiasm for it in the market, as it is a no-frills, robust model that is attractive on pricing, and we will see it make a big impact for Bobcat in 2024.
Rhayem concludes by emphasising that the B730 M-Series has been conceptualised as a robust yet simple machine, a “no-nonsense piece of kit in which you hit the dirt to do the work, and do it well and economically”.
“It’s got everything that you need at robust quality levels – and nothing that you don’t. The B730 M-Series backhoe loader is a machine that is ideally suited for the Middle East.”
Built for the operator
The Bobcat B730 M-Series backhoe loader features a spacious cab with a clever layout and a comfortable seat that makes for fatigue-free work even for long shifts.
Sitting in it, I got the impression from the way the seat provided support in key places, that it was designed for long hours of work for operators. The all-round visibility was excellent, with extensive glass areas on all sides. The low point of the loader bucket was clearly visible without having to change position or strain, and the view on the backhoe side was equally wide.
The expanded visibility is a definite plus for job-site safety, with the operator able to keep an eye out for hazards around the machine as well as people who might cross its path.
When it comes to the machine controls, customers are able to have their machines factory-configured with the ergonomic control layout they are used to, so there are no worries when switching from another brand to Bobcat. Being able to select a familiar, customised control pattern (ISO, SAE or SAE-X) from the factory allows operators to simply step into the machine and start work immediately.
“We are keeping it simple, in sync with the theme of this machine offering everything that you need and nothing that you don’t. We are not offering electrical controls. We’ve kept this as an attractive product in terms of the price point and the only controls we are offering are the mechanical ones,” Gaby Rhayem explains.
But there are other in-cab creature comforts that Bobcat is not skimping on – such as cab air-conditioning. There’s also a Bluetooth stereo built-in inside the cab.