Bobcat S850 Skid Steer

Introduction

The Bobcat S850 is the largest skid steer Bobcat builds — the top of the wheeled lineup and a machine designed for operators who need maximum lifting capacity and reach in a skid-steer package. With 100 horsepower, a 3,950 lb rated operating capacity, and an industry-leading 12-foot (144-inch) hinge-pin lift height, the S850 loads high-sided tandem trucks and stacks palletized material at a scale no other Bobcat skid steer can match.

On Aglist, the value is in understanding where the S850 fits — and whether you genuinely need this much machine — with real owner and operator reviews beside the spec sheet. The S850 competes with the largest skid steers from John Deere and the heaviest Kubota machines. The numbers tell you what it lifts; the reviews tell you how it behaves at the limit, how the cab handles long shifts, and whether the capacity justifies the size and cost for your work.

The standard capacity note applies before any cross-brand comparison: the S850’s 3,950 lb rating is on Bobcat’s basis (the 50% tipping-load standard, the same as Kubota), while John Deere rates at the more conservative 35% standard. Always put numbers on a common basis first. Details below.

Configurations & Pricing Context

The S850 is Bobcat’s large-frame flagship skid steer. Following the 2026 ConExpo restructure of the loader line into Classic and Pro tiers, the large-frame S850 continues as the top of the wheeled range — favoured for stable, high-capacity vertical-lift work even as newer Pro models introduce higher super-flow hydraulic options in other parts of the lineup.

For Canadian buyers, the practical specification is an enclosed cab with heat and A/C, high-flow hydraulics for demanding attachments, and the two-speed travel option for covering ground on large sites. This is a serious machine, and it is specified accordingly.

Pricing sits at the top of Bobcat’s skid-steer range — this is the biggest, most capable wheeled machine in the line. Because Dmytro has direct knowledge of Saskatchewan dealer and used pricing, we defer to local market figures over manufacturer-advertised numbers.

Key Specifications

Specification	Bobcat S850
Lift path	Vertical
Rated operating capacity (50% tipping)	3,950 lb (1,792 kg)
Rated operating capacity (35% tipping)	~2,765 lb (1,254 kg)
Gross horsepower	100 hp
Emissions	Tier 4 (no DPF)
Auxiliary flow (standard)	23 gpm
Auxiliary flow (high-flow option)	36.6 gpm
System pressure	3,500 psi
Operating weight	~10,237 lb (4,644 kg)
Hinge-pin lift height	144 in / 12 ft (industry-leading)
Travel speed (two-speed option)	~12.3 mph (19.8 km/h)
Standard tires	14×17.5

Specifications are verified against Bobcat specification data and independent spec databases. Confirm exact figures for a specific machine, year, and option package with your dealer.

Understanding the ROC Standard (Read This Before You Compare)

Rated operating capacity is a fixed percentage of a machine’s tipping load — and the percentage differs by manufacturer. Bobcat and Kubota use 50%; John Deere uses 35%.

The S850’s 3,950 lb rating is on the 50% basis. On the 35% basis John Deere uses, the same machine rates at roughly 2,765 lb. When cross-shopping against a John Deere skid steer, convert both to a common standard first — otherwise the raw numbers overstate the Bobcat. This is the single most common comparison error in the class, and it matters most on a large machine like the S850 where the absolute numbers are biggest.

Build & Engineering Detail

The S850 runs a 100-horsepower Tier 4 diesel that meets emissions standards without a diesel particulate filter — no regeneration cycle, no DPF maintenance cost on a machine built to work long hours. At roughly 10,237 lb paired with 100 horsepower, the S850 achieves about one horsepower per 102 pounds, delivering substantial power without the bulk of a wheel loader.

The defining feature is the vertical-lift boom and its 12-foot hinge-pin height — the tallest in Bobcat’s skid-steer lineup. Vertical lift raises loads straight up, keeping heavy material close to the machine for stability, and the exceptional height lets the S850 clear the sides of high tandem trucks and stack palletized loads that challenge smaller machines. For high-capacity, high-reach loading, nothing else in the Bobcat skid-steer range competes.

On hydraulics, the S850 offers 23 gpm standard and 36.6 gpm high-flow at 3,500 psi. The high-flow circuit runs professional attachments — cold planers, forestry mulchers, stump grinders, heavy brooms — at rated performance. Note that newer Pro models offer higher super-flow rates; the S850’s strength is the combination of high capacity, 12-foot reach, and the stability of a wheeled machine, rather than maximum flow.

The cab-forward design moves the operator closer to the attachment for visibility, with the largest cab door in the class and enlarged windows — a real advantage when loading trucks at full height.

Best Applications

The S850 is a strong fit for:

• Heavy, high-reach truck loading — clearing high-sided tandem trucks and stacking palletized material where the 12-foot lift height is decisive.
• Large grain and construction operations — moving substantial volumes at a scale beyond the S770’s capacity.
• Demanding attachment work — the high-flow circuit runs cold planers, mulchers, and stump grinders.
• Heavy material handling on firm ground — where a wheeled machine’s stability and road speed suit the work better than tracks.

It is more machine than most farm or acreage operations need, and at 10,000+ lb it demands a heavier trailer and tow vehicle. If your work is mostly on soft or wet ground, the tracked T870 offers flotation the wheeled S850 cannot. For most prairie buyers, the mid-frame S650 or large-frame S770 is the more sensible size — the S850 earns its place only when maximum capacity and reach genuinely matter.

How the S850 Fits the Bobcat Lineup

The S850 sits at the very top of Bobcat’s wheeled skid-steer range, above the S770 flagship of the Classic line. It is the large-frame machine for buyers who need more capacity and reach than the S770 delivers.

Its tracked counterpart is the T870 — the largest Bobcat compact track loader, with comparable power and the flotation of tracks. As with every size in the range, the wheeled-versus-tracked decision comes down to ground conditions and cost; at the top of the lineup, both are substantial, expensive machines, so the choice deserves careful thought.

Bobcat S850 Reviews & Ratings

On Aglist, open the Reviews & Ratings section on this page to see how the S850 performs where it counts: heavy-load stability at full 12-foot height, high-flow attachment behaviour, cab comfort and visibility over long shifts, and ownership notes on serviceability and uptime. If you own an S850, your review helps the next prairie buyer judge whether the biggest Bobcat skid steer fits their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rated operating capacity of the Bobcat S850? 3,950 lb at the 50% tipping-load standard — the highest of any Bobcat skid steer. On the 35% standard John Deere uses, the same machine rates at roughly 2,765 lb. Convert to a common basis before comparing across brands.

Is the Bobcat S850 the biggest Bobcat skid steer? Yes. It is the largest and heaviest skid steer Bobcat builds, with the highest capacity (3,950 lb) and an industry-leading 12-foot hinge-pin lift height.

How much horsepower does the Bobcat S850 have? 100 horsepower from a Tier 4 diesel that meets emissions standards without a diesel particulate filter.

What is the lift height of the Bobcat S850? An industry-leading 144 inches (12 feet) to the hinge pin — the tallest in Bobcat’s skid-steer lineup, which is what lets it clear high-sided tandem trucks.

Does the Bobcat S850 have high-flow hydraulics? Yes. Standard flow is 23 gpm; the high-flow option reaches 36.6 gpm at 3,500 psi, enough to run cold planers, mulchers, and stump grinders. Newer Pro models offer higher super-flow rates, but the S850’s strength is capacity and reach in a stable wheeled machine.

How much does the Bobcat S850 weigh? Operating weight is approximately 10,237 lb. Plan your trailer and tow vehicle for the weight.

How does the S850 compare to the S770? The S850 steps up in capacity (3,950 lb versus 3,350 lb), horsepower (100 versus 92), and especially lift height (12 feet versus the S770’s reach). It is the choice when you need maximum capacity and the tallest lift; the S770 is more than enough for most heavy work.

How does the S850 compare to the tracked T870? They share a 100-horsepower output and large-frame positioning. The S850 rides on wheels for stability and road speed on firm ground; the T870 rides on tracks for flotation on soft ground. The choice comes down to ground conditions and budget.

Is the Bobcat S850 good for snow removal? It has the power and weight for heavy commercial snow work, and the high-flow option runs large blowers and pushers. For most snow contractors, though, a mid-size machine is more practical; the S850 suits operations that also need its capacity and reach.

Is the Bobcat S850 still available? The large-frame S850 continues as the top of Bobcat’s wheeled skid-steer range. Confirm current availability and configuration with your dealer, as the lineup evolved with the 2026 Classic and Pro restructure.

Related Models

• Bobcat S770 — the flagship of the Classic line, one capacity step down; sufficient for most heavy work.
• Bobcat T870 — the tracked counterpart and largest Bobcat compact track loader; the key comparison for wheels versus tracks at the top of the range.
• Bobcat S650 — the mid-frame Bobcat workhorse, the more common choice for prairie operations.