The well-known Bobcat brand has expanded to a new product type, with local distributor Clark Equipment excited about its potential
Australian customers now have access to a Bobcat stand-on zero-turn mower after Clark Equipment expanded its product range.
The ZS4000 is the first of the brand’s stand-on mowers available in Australia and complements a number of ride-on mowers in the Clark offering, along with other Bobcat products such as telehandlers and tractors.
It was added to the Australian product range last year having been offered previously to customers in the United States.
“The people that have jumped on board have absolutely loved them,” Clark Equipment salesman Ian Knoke says.
“Where they have done really well is in the cities, specifically in the commercial market, because there’s a 36-inch (91cm) deck which is compact for a mower.
“We can get into tighter spaces; you can fit two onto a trailer quite comfortably and it’s still a zero-turn.”
Much of the commercial market which it has been popular with has been drawn to its comparatively small deck size and ability to fit into tight spaces in urban environments.
While this may seem in contrast to what appeals to farmers with wide open spaces, it is still a unit which has appeal for the likes of hobby farmers and those needing to maintain areas around the house with corners and tight spaces which can be trickier with ride-on mowers.
The 36-inch (91cm) deck is a selling point for some customers – also due to its ability to fit two onto a trailer – however the ZS4000 is also available with a wider 48-inch (122cm) deck for those requiring additional size.
The smaller decked mower has a 19hp engine, stepping up to 20.5hp for the larger unit.
“It’s quite a large engine, so you’ve got a lot of horsepower in a small machine that can get into compact and hard to reach areas.
“It’s a Kawasaki engine, and our dealer network is extensive, so parts and servicing is never an issue.”
The ZS4000 is also loaded with features designed to increase productivity, safety and operator comfort.
It boasts the innovative AirFX cutting deck on the 48-inch version, which Clark says optimises air flow and increases vacuum force, lifting the grass to the cutting blade for a clean and uniform cut.
The 36-inch mower has the tough and adjustable DuraDeck cutting system.
The maximum speed ranges between 14.4kmh on the smaller decked version up to 16.8kmh on the larger mower, with the mower in both sizes capable of going 5.6kmh in reverse.
The fuel capacity is 19.3L and 24.6L respectively, allowing those in commercial settings to keep going for longer.
The in-frame fuel tank and operator station design provide excellent stability and assist with the mower’s manoeuvrability, even on uneven terrain.
A vibration-dampening platform reduces fatigue and increases the ride smoothness, while this platform can also be flipped up to allow operators to use the ZS4000 as a walk-behind mower if required.
“It’s a compact mower but the tyres are quite large for the size of it so it also means if you’re going over rocky or bumpy terrain, then it’s actually still very solid and stable,” Knoke says.
Another benefit of a stand-on mower, Knoke adds, is the ability to hop on and off quickly to move obstructions such as hoses and sticks, enabling users to minimise downtime and maximise overall efficiency.
As with all farm machinery, safety is another crucial element.
Knoke says the concept of a stand-on mower has led to customers asking the question about its safety capabilities – something which he says the ZS4000 excels in.
“There are a lot of safety features on it, for example if you release your hand then there is an assisted stop feature,” Knoke says.
“It also has safety features for the blades to stop when exiting the machine as a standard, whereas on other commercial mowers, that’s not the case.”
In addition to these safety features, there has been plenty added to the design by Bobcat to maximise its ease of use and versatility.
The cutting height can be adjusted between 38mm and 114mm, something whch Knoke says is easy to do, and this is not the only feature which enhances ease of use.
“It’s easy to raise and lower the deck for a higher or shorter cut, and it’s super easy to transport the mower from property to property,” he says.
“There is also easy accessibility for maintenance.
“You can actually get to the engine and clean it all out more than you can on any other mower.
“This is because it’s all open and the seat is not covering things up, which is incredibly handy.”
The ZS4000, along with other Bobcat mowers and machines, are available through Clark Equipment.
The full range can be viewed online at www.bobcatofaustralia.com.au