Like all of Bobcat''s skid-steer loaders, the A220 can accommodate myriad-powered and nonpowered attachments everything from angle brooms and augers to wheel saws and whisker brooms. And it''s that versatility, along with the all-wheel steer capability, that has the company licking its chops in anticipation of a range of new markets. "We have several test machines in the field right now at a wide variety of customers," Fitzgerald said. "We''ve got one at a recycling plant where they''re running in all-wheel steer 100 percent of the time because of tire wear. They''ve taped the switch so the guys can''t run in skid-steer mode. They''ve got three other machines there and they go through approximately $12,000 worth of tires a year. If the plant can reduce its tire cost significantly, the price difference between an 863 and A220 can easily be justified. The other area of concern is a landing area by a conveyor. Current operating methods wear out the concrete surface. Grooves get worn deep enough into the concrete that they need to mill it out and repour the concrete. The A220 is a lot easier on the surface.

The MorElectric system began lab tests in 2002, and is currently testing in on-highway truck applications. Commercial production is expected in early 2005. Caterpillar expects the system to be used in a variety of trucks as well as off-highway, marine and military applications as well. Ort said Caterpillar is looking for partners for market exposure and field validation testing opportunities beginning this September.The development of the system grew, in part, out of a Dept. of Energy (DOE) program called "Parasitic Energy Loss Reduction and Enabling Technologies for Class 7/8 Trucks." This 42 month, $4.4 million research program started in May 2000 and brought together Cat Electronics, Kenworth Truck, Engineered Machined Products, a major supplier of water pumps to the heavy-duty diesel business, and Emerson Electric.

It''s great to be able to buy a nice, new, shiny piece of machinery, but that''s just not always possible. New skid steer attachments, depending on their function, can run up to $10,000 or more. Renting is one option to consider, especially when you only need the attachment for a short time.Farm auctions are another good source for attachments. "One definite trend I''ve picked up on over the past year has been the move to sell these attachments separately from the skid steer at auctions," says auction expert Greg Peterson, publisher of the F.A.C.T''s Report (800/381-0423 or machinerypete.com). His service reports machinery prices from auctions around the country.

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