Fiumeter purchase Italy’s first Bobcat L85 compact wheel loader

New machine proves to be a versatile all-rounder for recycling operator

FIUMETER Srl have invested in a brand-new Bobcat L85 compact wheel loader (CWL), the first to be sold in Italy. The machine – which has been put straight to work at Fiumeter’s Denno recycling centre in northern Italy – was chosen for its high performance, efficiency, and versatility to meet the customer’s waste-management operations, from loading C&D materials to stockpiling recycled aggregates on site.

The L85 CWL is equipped as standard with the Power Quick-Tach system (compatible with widely used industry-standard couplers), which allows the operator to quickly mount and remove attachments.

The engine is generally started by the standard key, but for quick engine starts/stops during the day, the operator can also use soft-touch buttons conveniently located on the right-hand console. The machine is also equipped with automotive-style automatic parking brake and slope assist features, which are said to be unique in the industry for this type of machine. With a 190cm bucket in use, the machine works continuously around the Denno recycling facility, moving and handling inert materials (eg sand, aggregates, gravel etc.).

For cleaning duties, the L85 is mounted with a sweeper attachment to clean and maintain the access and internal roads at the plant, removing both small and large surface debris. For work in the snow season, which is common in Trentino from October to May, Fiumeter have purchased a snow blade attachment, which transforms the L85 loader into a powerful snow ploughing machine.

To ensure the CWL is well equipped for the task at hand, the L85 incorporates Bobcat’s Advanced Attachment Control system, which allows the operator to switch to an alternative machine control pattern at the touch of a button. This offers independent control of the engine speed (and maximum auxiliary flow) and the machine travel speed.

Matteo Fondriest, manager of Fiumeter’s Denno recycling centre, commented: ‘Operating the L85 is both a comfortable and fully satisfying experience in terms of performance. In particular, an important added value is the possibility of using reduced gears and therefore working with the engine at high rpm and adjusting the desired speed with the joystick.’

Designed around the operator, the cab on the L85 offers high levels of comfort and easy operation. The joystick’s position is adjustable horizontally and integrated in the operator’s suspension seat, and the steering column is also adjustable in two directions – horizontal and vertical, a feature said to be unique in the CWL segment.

The cab is fully enclosed and pressurized, meeting the strictest FOPS II safety requirements. There are two full glass doors either side of the cab, providing excellent visibility on both sides.

This is further enhanced with the low front window corners, a hood design that offers both toughness and high visibility, and output from the rear-view camera.