BOBCAT Equipment South Africa, part of the Goscor Group, recently delivered five Bobcat S550 skidsteer loaders (SSLs) to De Heus Animal Nutrition, deployed at various sites in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape.
De Heus is an international company that produces and markets high-quality animal feeds. The machines were delivered from Bobcat branches in each of the respective provinces. Bobcat Equipment South Africa General Manager Brian Rachmanexplains that the SSLs are used at De Heus’ facilities to load animal feed into warehouses.
“They are ideal for this application, as their compactness enables them to operate effectively within restricted areas, in addition to high fuel efficiency,” Rachman points out. Bobcat is the market leader in SSLs, ably supported by its large national footprint.
The S550 has a height-to-bucket hinge pin of 2 908 mm, a 2 841 kg operating weight, and a machine height, including the operator cab, of 1 972 mm. The S550 Kubota V2607 liquid cooled, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine has a maximum power output of 45.5 kW at 2 700 rpm, with 201 Nm torque at 1 425 r/min. The machines have an extended warranty of 3 years or 4 000 hours, whichever occurs first, with a standard service interval plan of 250, 500, and 1 000 hour services to ensure an optimal operational lifespan.
Bobcat was required to customise the SSLs for De Heus with high-volume, lightweight buckets that were 800 mm long and with a capacity of 800ℓ. Pre-cleaners were also fitted to ensure a longer life for the air filters due to the dusty conditions in which the SSLs operate. The large, lightweight buckets allow the SSLs to collect as much bulk material as possible, in this case animal feed.
This is the first time that Bobcat has collaborated with De Heus. “We are very proud to have won this particular contract. It showcases how we can provide the highest quality, lowest total cost of ownership for our customers,” Rachman highlights. The contract also saw Group company Goscor Lift Trucks supply six Doosan forklifts across De Heus’ main three branches
