Bobcat MT85 Compact track loaders tech specs

Overview

The Bobcat MT85 is a mini track loader aimed at contractors who need more lifting capability than entry-level stand-on loaders without losing the ability to work in narrow spaces. It stays compact enough for backyard access, side-yard work, landscaping paths, and interior renovation zones, but it brings a healthier 385.55 kg lifting capacity that gives it more usefulness in day-to-day material handling.

With an operating weight of 1,407 kg, gross power of 18.49 kW, and a width over tracks of only 0.91 m, the MT85 fits the kind of jobs where access is half the battle. It is especially useful for landscapers, fence installers, irrigation crews, rental fleets, and small contractors who need a machine that can carry, trench, load, and clean up without chewing up the whole site.

Performance & Efficiency

The MT85 is built around maneuverability, but unlike smaller units, it brings enough lift and hydraulic strength to feel more useful on real contractor work. The 385.55 kg lifting capacity gives it an edge when moving pallets of sod, bags of material, pavers, spoil, and light site supplies. It is still not a replacement for a full-size compact track loader, but it can take plenty of smaller jobs off the shovel-and-wheelbarrow list.

Hydraulic flow of 45.42 L/min allows the machine to run practical attachments for trenching, drilling, digging, and cleanup work. Relief valve pressure of 199.94 bar gives it respectable hydraulic force for its size, while the 24-degree rack-back angle helps retain material more securely during transport. With a top speed of 6.6 km/h, it is quick enough to stay productive on small sites without feeling twitchy.

The machine’s 0.34 bar ground pressure is another big advantage. It helps the MT85 work on softer ground with less surface damage than heavier loaders, which matters on lawns, prepared landscapes, and finished residential spaces.

Maintenance & Ownership

The MT85 makes sense for owners who want a simple, compact machine that can be transported easily and kept working without big overhead. Its smaller footprint means easier hauling, easier storage, and lower transport hassle than larger compact track loaders. That matters for contractors bouncing between residential jobs, maintenance stops, and small site packages.

Routine ownership is also helped by the machine’s straightforward design. There is less bulk, fewer heavy components to deal with, and generally less intimidation for smaller crews who do daily checks and basic maintenance in-house. For rental fleets, that simplicity is part of the appeal. It is the kind of machine that can stay busy because it fits more job types than its size suggests.

In Cabin & Interior

There is no traditional cab here, and that is the whole point. The MT85 uses a stand-on rear operator platform that prioritizes visibility and access over enclosure and comfort. In tight work zones, this layout can actually be more practical because the operator has a clearer sense of the machine’s corners, the attachment position, and nearby obstacles.

Controls are straightforward and easy to learn, which suits mixed crews and rental users. Operators stepping up from hand tools or smaller equipment usually adapt quickly. It is not built for luxury, obviously, but for short-cycle jobs and close-quarter work, it gets the job done without unnecessary complication.

Safety Features

The MT85 leans on compact size, stable tracks, and direct visibility as its main safety strengths. Its low center of gravity and track stance help it stay composed while loading, turning, or crossing uneven ground. The stand-on layout also improves visibility to the attachment and surrounding work area, which is useful when working close to walls, fencing, or foot traffic.

Because it is often used in residential and confined-access environments, that clear line of sight matters as much as raw machine stability. Operators can work more precisely, which helps reduce accidental contact with finished surfaces or nearby structures.

In Comparison

Caterpillar 299
A much larger compact track loader with substantially more power, lift, and jobsite presence. Better for heavy production work, but nowhere near as practical in narrow-access applications.

John Deere 319
Offers more size, more capacity, and more operator protection, but it also needs more room to operate and transport. It serves a different scale of job.

Bobcat MT85
The practical middle ground for contractors who need more muscle than a very small mini loader but still want a machine that can get through gates, tight paths, and compact job zones.

Verdict

Rated 4 stars, the Bobcat MT85 is a smart choice for contractors who need tight-access mobility with a useful bump in lifting performance over smaller mini track loaders. It is especially well suited to landscaping, irrigation, fencing, trenching, and small construction work where access limits what machine can be used in the first place.

In the AED 40,400–113,000 range, it offers a good blend of size, hydraulic capability, transport ease, and day-to-day practicality. It will not replace a bigger compact track loader on heavy lifting jobs, but that is not its role. Its job is to get into places bigger machines cannot and still do enough work to earn its keep.