Bobcat newest telehandler, the TL519, is set to officially launch at ConExpo-Con/Agg in March 2023. “This is going to be the smallest model in our telehandler lineup,” said Marty Miller, Bobcat product specialist. “It’s a little bit more than just your basic construction lift-and-carry machine.”

Other recently released models include the TL619, TL723, and TL923 to round out the R-Series telehandler lineup.

“The nice thing about this machine, it's our most compact one,” Miller said, noting that the TL519 is only 72 inches wide and approximately 13 feet long. “It's a nice tight, compact machine.”

Bobcat's Power Bob-Tach mounting system gives it a wider range of attachments and applications.

“You’ve got a nice low cab clearance height so its fits in more places,” he said. The TL519 is approximately 7 feet high to the top of the cab's beacon. Larger machines may not fit in a chicken barn or parking garage, but the TL519 can.

Also, the tightly packaged 72-inch width enables it to be hauled on smaller trailers, similar for hauling a skid steer or compact track loader.

"The TL519 delivers the power, extended reach and maneuverability that customers need to tackle big jobs on confined jobsites," said Bobcat Marketing Manager Drew Kolo.

The TL519 features a 74-horsepower engine, a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, and a standard Power Bob-Tach mounting system for swapping attachments without leaving the cab. The Tier 4 Final, turbo-charged engine delivers high torque and achieves emissions compliance without the use of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or selective catalytic reduction. 

Miller said the TL519 offers all-wheel steer, crab steer, front-wheel steer and semi-crab steer.

It has five operation modes:

• ECO – Maintains hydraulic performance without using the engine's full power, reducing rpms, noise and fuel consumption. 
• Smooth Drive – For maneuvering across jobsites with mild acceleration and deceleration while carrying loads. 
• Dynamic Drive – Increases the responsiveness of the telehandler's acceleration and deceleration for traveling between tasks. 
• Advanced Attachment Control – Allows for full auxiliary hydraulic performance.

The telehandler has an independent throttle system called "flex drive." Normally, the telehandler runs like a car when you put it in gear. As you press the throttle down, the engine rpms go up, and your speed goes up. And when you let off, it slows down.  

However, with flex drive, even as your engine speed goes up and down, your attachment speed remains the same. Miller said the TL519’s hand throttle can set engine rpm. “The engine rpm stays the same, so if you've got a snowblower, you can kind of just inch along. If you let off the pedal a little bit, you don't lose the hydraulic flow,” Miller said. “That's one of those one-of-a-kind features that are new that we put it in all the R-Series.”

The feature enables Bobcat to move the telehandler beyond the typical forks and a bucket attachments. “Our customers kept wanting to do more,” Miller said. “When we introduced the telehandlers and started putting the Bob-Tach on, you get a lot more requests for that because now all of a sudden, there's a whole other line of attachments available.”

Bob-Tach has been featured on this size machine before, but now it's been made even easier to use from the cab, he says. It also features a seven-pin controller for running a snowblower, angle broom, soil conditioner, and other tools. 

"A few of those attachments show the versatility of this machine is kind of second to none," Miller said. “They don't know that they need it on a telehandler until they have it.”

The TL519’s larger cousin, the TL619, has Bob-Tach but not Power Bob-Tach, which is being worked on. For those who switch to snow removal in winter, adding a blade allows you to pile snow up higher using the telescoping boom. 

Miller noted that the TL519's maximum rated capacity is around 5,500 pounds, and its maximum lift height of 19 feet.