About · Bobcat S850Overview
The Bobcat S850 is a large-frame skid-steer loader with an operating weight of 4641 kg and a 100 hp engine, placing it at the top end of the skid-steer class where it competes directly with full-size compact loader alternatives. Its 1.4 m3 bucket capacity allows it to move meaningful volumes of material in a single pass, making it one of the more productive machines in its segment. The S850 carries Bobcat's vertical-lift arm geometry, which contributes to reach and dump height at full elevation, characteristics relevant to loading trucks and high-sided containers.
Typical applicationsWhere this machine is used
Large-frame skid-steer loaders in this weight and power bracket are regularly deployed in site preparation, bulk material handling, demolition support, and agricultural operations where maneuverability in confined spaces must be combined with high lift capacity. The S850 is suited to work in recycling yards, quarry support, and intensive rental fleets where a durable, high-cycle machine is required. Attachment versatility, a defining characteristic of the skid-steer platform, extends the working envelope to include augers, hydraulic breakers, sweepers, planers, and pallet forks.
Current marketPrice position
The Bobcat S850 occupies the upper tier of the skid-steer segment, sitting above mid-frame machines and competing directly with the JCB 300 and the Caterpillar 279. Against the JCB 300, the S850 offers a higher operating weight, which generally reflects greater structural capacity and stability under load. Against the Caterpillar 279, which is a compact track loader variant cross-shopped by buyers considering undercarriage type, the S850 represents the wheeled option, with differences in ground pressure, traction characteristics, and surface sensitivity being the key differentiators. Within the S850's own market tier, the attributes that move a used example within its price band include accumulated hours on the machine, service history documentation, tire condition and remaining tread depth, the presence of a high-flow hydraulic option, cab specification including heat and air conditioning, and the quantity and quality of attachments included in the sale. Machines configured with high-flow hydraulics command stronger positioning than base-spec units, as the high-flow circuit opens compatibility with a wider range of productive attachments.
