Bobcat T870 Compact Track Loader

Introduction

The Bobcat T870 is the largest and most powerful compact track loader Bobcat builds — the machine that first brought 100 horsepower to the compact track loader class. Built for heavy-duty work like land clearing, grading, forestry, and high-production construction, the T870 pairs a vertical-lift boom with unmatched lift height and capacity, and rides on a track undercarriage that keeps ground pressure remarkably low despite the machine’s size. For prairie operations that need maximum capability on soft or variable ground, it is the top of the tracked range.

On Aglist, the value is in understanding where the T870 fits — and whether you need this much machine — with real owner and operator reviews beside the spec sheet. The T870 competes with the largest Kubota SVL machines and the heaviest John Deere P-Tier track loaders. The numbers tell you what it lifts; the reviews tell you how the 5-link torsion suspension rides, how the undercarriage holds up, and whether the capability justifies the cost.

The standard capacity note applies before any cross-brand comparison: Bobcat rates the T870 on the ISO and 50% bases, while John Deere rates at 35%. Always put numbers on a common basis first. Details below.

Configurations & Pricing Context

The T870 is Bobcat’s large-frame flagship compact track loader. Following the 2026 ConExpo restructure of the loader line into Classic and Pro tiers, the large-frame T870 continues as the top of the tracked range — the most powerful and capable compact track loader Bobcat offers.

For Canadian buyers, the practical specification is an enclosed, pressurized cab with heat and A/C, high-flow hydraulics for forestry and demanding attachments, and attention to track type for the softest conditions. The optional automatic ride control improves comfort and reduces spillage on rough ground, and the 5-link torsion suspension undercarriage smooths operation across uneven terrain.

Pricing sits at the top of Bobcat’s compact loader range — this is the biggest, most powerful track machine in the line, and tracks add cost up front and over time. 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 T870
Machine type	Compact track loader
Lift path	Vertical
Rated operating capacity (ISO)	3,650 lb (1,656 kg)
ROC with 400 lb counterweight	3,850 lb (1,746 kg)
Maximum lift capacity	~5,215 lb (2,366 kg)
Engine make/model	Bobcat D34, 3.4 L Tier 4 turbo diesel
Gross horsepower	100.1 hp
Peak torque	276.9 ft-lb at 1,600 rpm
Auxiliary flow (standard)	23 gpm
Auxiliary flow (high-flow option)	36.6 gpm
System pressure	3,500 psi
Operating weight	~12,925 lb (5,863 kg)
Ground pressure (rubber track)	4.7 psi
Track width	17.7 in (450 mm)
Travel speed (low / high)	6.5 / 11.4 mph
Fuel capacity	32.6 gal (123 L)
Undercarriage	5-link torsion suspension

Specifications are verified against Bobcat specification data and independent spec databases. Confirm exact figures for a specific machine, year, undercarriage, 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 standard cited differs by manufacturer. Bobcat publishes the T870 on the ISO basis (3,650 lb), with capacity rising to 3,850 lb with a counterweight; John Deere rates at 35%.

For cross-shopping: the T870’s ISO and 50% figures sit on the same basis as Kubota’s SVL ratings, so those numbers compare directly. When comparing to a John Deere P-Tier track loader, convert to a common standard first. As always, only the number changes, not the machine — and on a flagship machine the absolute numbers are largest, so the conversion matters most here.

Build & Engineering Detail

The T870 runs Bobcat’s D34 — a 3.4-litre turbocharged Tier 4 diesel producing 100.1 horsepower at 2,400 rpm and 276.9 ft-lb of peak torque. It was the first compact track loader to reach 100 horsepower, and that power, paired with an advanced hydraulic system, is what lets it run the most demanding attachments and move heavy material efficiently.

The vertical-lift boom delivers the lineup’s greatest lift height and capacity — built for loading high trucks, handling heavy palletized loads, and high-production material work. Maximum lift capacity reaches around 5,215 lb, with a 3,650 lb ISO rated operating capacity that rises to 3,850 lb with the counterweight kit. This is the most capable lifting machine in Bobcat’s compact loader range.

The undercarriage is a standout. Despite weighing nearly 13,000 lb, the T870’s 17.7-inch tracks distribute that weight to a ground pressure of just 4.7 psi — among the lowest in the entire Bobcat range, lower even than smaller track loaders. That flotation lets the biggest Bobcat track machine work on soft, wet, and finished ground. The 5-link torsion suspension undercarriage further smooths and quiets operation, reducing operator fatigue over long shifts. The trade-off is the usual one, amplified by size: undercarriage components are expensive, and on a machine this heavy, track and roller wear in abrasive conditions is a real ongoing cost.

On hydraulics, the T870 offers 23 gpm standard and 36.6 gpm high-flow at 3,500 psi — enough to run full-size forestry mulchers, cold planers, and the most demanding attachments at rated performance.

Undercarriage maintenance is essential: inspect tracks, rollers, idlers, and sprockets monthly, especially in abrasive conditions, and use full track kits when needed. Keep the cooling system clear to prevent overheating under heavy, sustained load.

Best Applications

The T870 is a strong fit for:

• Land clearing and forestry — the 100 hp engine and 36.6 gpm high-flow run full-size mulchers and brush cutters, with track flotation to work on rough, soft terrain.
• High-production construction — heavy material handling, grading, and truck loading at a scale beyond mid-frame machines.
• Heavy work on soft ground — the 4.7 psi ground pressure lets it operate where wheeled machines and even smaller track loaders would struggle.
• Demanding mixed operations — large farms and contractors needing maximum capability across variable ground conditions.

It is the most expensive and capable machine in Bobcat’s compact loader range, and far more than most farm or acreage operations need. For the heaviest, most demanding work on soft ground, though, nothing else in the Bobcat line matches it. Buyers whose work does not demand this scale should look at the mid-frame T650 or the T770.

How the T870 Fits the Bobcat Lineup

The T870 sits at the very top of Bobcat’s compact track loader range, above the T770 flagship of the Classic line. It is the large-frame machine for buyers who need more capability than the T770 delivers — the most powerful, highest-capacity compact track loader Bobcat builds.

Its wheeled counterpart is the S850 — the largest Bobcat skid steer, with comparable power. At the top of the lineup, the wheeled-versus-tracked decision is between two substantial, expensive machines: the S850 for stability and road speed on firm ground, the T870 for flotation and capability on soft ground.

Bobcat T870 Reviews & Ratings

On Aglist, open the Reviews & Ratings section on this page to see how the T870 performs where it counts: flotation and traction on soft ground, heavy-load stability and lift performance, high-flow attachment behaviour, the ride quality of the torsion suspension, undercarriage wear, and cab comfort over long shifts. If you own a T870, your review helps the next prairie buyer judge whether the biggest Bobcat track loader fits their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the Bobcat T870 use? A Bobcat D34 — a 3.4-litre turbocharged Tier 4 diesel producing 100.1 horsepower. The T870 was the first compact track loader to reach 100 horsepower.

Is the Bobcat T870 the biggest Bobcat track loader? Yes. It is the largest and most powerful compact track loader Bobcat builds, with the highest capacity and lift height in the tracked range.

What is the rated operating capacity of the Bobcat T870? 3,650 lb at the ISO standard, rising to 3,850 lb with a 400 lb counterweight. Maximum lift capacity reaches around 5,215 lb. When comparing to a John Deere machine, convert to a common standard first.

What is the ground pressure of the Bobcat T870? Just 4.7 psi on rubber tracks — among the lowest in the entire Bobcat range, despite the machine weighing nearly 13,000 lb. That flotation lets it work on soft, wet, and finished ground.

How much does the Bobcat T870 weigh? Operating weight is approximately 12,925 lb — the heaviest machine in Bobcat’s compact loader range. Plan your trailer and tow vehicle accordingly.

Does the Bobcat T870 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 full-size forestry mulchers, cold planers, and the most demanding attachments.

How does the T870 compare to the S850 skid steer? They share a 100-horsepower output and large-frame positioning. The T870 rides on tracks (4.7 psi ground pressure) for flotation on soft ground; the S850 rides on wheels for stability and road speed on firm ground. The choice comes down to ground conditions and budget.

What is the 5-link torsion suspension? An undercarriage design that makes tracking substantially smoother and quieter than older systems, reducing vibration and operator fatigue over long shifts — a meaningful comfort advantage on a machine built for high-production work.

Is the Bobcat T870 good for forestry and land clearing? It is one of the best compact machines for it. The 100 hp engine, 36.6 gpm high-flow hydraulics, and track flotation let it run full-size mulchers and brush cutters on rough, soft terrain that would stop smaller or wheeled machines.

What maintenance does the T870 undercarriage need? Inspect tracks, rollers, idlers, and sprockets monthly, especially in abrasive conditions, and use full track kits when needed. Keep the cooling system clear to prevent overheating under sustained heavy load. On a machine this heavy, undercarriage wear is the main ongoing cost.

Related Models

• Bobcat T770 — the flagship of the Classic track loader line, one capacity step down; sufficient for most heavy work.
• Bobcat S850 — the wheeled counterpart and largest Bobcat skid steer; the key comparison for wheels versus tracks at the top of the range.
• Bobcat T650 — the mid-frame Classic track loader, the more common choice for prairie operations.