The History Of The Bobcat

If a farm customer had a problem, Cyril and Louis Keller made it their goal to solve it. Hear how these brothers from Minnesota tell their story of how they used scrap metal and used parts to build the first Bobcat loader. Produced in 2003.

[@patirckloegering9694]

I am extremely proud to call Louis my grandpa. I only wish I would have had more time to have real conversations with him. I was only 17 when he passed. I distinctly remember his funeral, the dirt was filled in with one of the first machines they made. It was a very beautiful to see such a machine, made by the two of them, come full circle. Amazing men the both of them.

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

That's so sweet. 😭 What a loss.

[@gta123987]

The kellers are my great uncles on my grandmas side. Ed schillinger is my grandpa. Name in credits.

[@andyholinka3107]

What a cool story. He was a certified badass!

[@dawsondetrana5496]

You got some of that bobcat money?

[@sealteamsix1784]

skid steer loaders made it a lot easier and faster to build. there is probably entire airports, malls, suburbs/towns, etc (and 100+ million people) that would not exist without your grandpa.

[@drmodestoesq]

Astounding to think of the millions of people who's backs aren't killing them due to the ingenuity and perseverance of these two Minnesotan brothers.

[@tacomas9602]

Skid steers are hard on your back, trust me.

[@contraband1543]

​@@tacomas9602 I sure doubt a 20 minute bumpy ride in a bobcat is anything even close to as bad as shoveling all day.

[@ShainAndrews]

@@contraband1543 You have never been in a machine that has ZERO suspension. You get sloppy with the operation and the machine beats you down in a big way. Especially with foot controls. You can drop the boom like a sledge hammer and it rings your spine like a bell.

[@tacomas9602]

@@contraband1543 imagine spending 8 hour days in one doing sand bedding every week or hauling sawdust..my back is fucked. I’ve put a thousand hours or more on one unit alone. My back is shot.

[@contraband1543]

@@ShainAndrews If you're shitty at running the machine then yeah, of course it's going to beat you around. That goes without saying. That the same thing as saying riding a horse is painful when the problem is you just don't how to ride a horse. I've driven foam filled tires skid steers on concrete all day and my back had no complaints. Probably because I wasn't in there jerking the controls around like you, thinking it's a lonely Saturday night or something lmfao

[@coolthew42]

Nowadays it's hard to imagine a construction site without a skidsteer, these guys truly changed the equipment industry. Great documentary!

[@jakemocci3953]

Imagine how many backs these two old timers saved, I can’t imagine doing demolition without them, they can do the work of10 laborers

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

@@jakemocci3953 more like 100, a skidsteer never gets tired and lifts a ton xD

[@arjanvanraaij8440]

Well today there are traditional stering loaders with the same size of a bobcat opperate more gentle then skidsteers.

[@DontWatchProductions]

@@arjanvanraaij8440 dont rain on this parade.

[@jonyemm]

​@@arjanvanraaij8440 such as?

[@JoelGrant-ie4ly]

"We can fix anything but a broken heart". Two wonderful gentlemen with gifts of service to their community.

[@gilzor9376]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ . . . . did you really need to taint that thoughtful comment? You bring disgrace to the truth with your misdirected quotes from the book. As you probably know, you actually serve the Devil by stirring malice towards those who truly believe.

[@eve__________]

@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist8repent to deez nuts

[@milo6373]

True facts ,🤔🎯☝️✌️🙏

[@laryedus]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ WTF ?????

[@bobbg9041]

Oh with this story, I think they fixed broken harts after all.

[@keithjohnson7847]

My family was the proud owner of the orange Keller Loader that Cyril was driving in the video. My father bought it at auction in the early 1990s in WI and while the auctioneer told the story that it was one of the first Bobcats he wasn't entirely convinced. A few years later the Keller family tracked us down and bought it back and now it seems that it became Cyril's personal loader.

[@Streckenstillleger]

Really cool Story that U Tell us.thanks😊

[@kellerthesciencefeller3436]

My dad, Joe Keller, saw your comment. He was the one who picked up that Keller Loader from Robert Johnson. I was on the trip too when I was still quite young. He's tried to find a contact number for anyone in Robert's family. He would love to talk with anyone if that is possible.

[@LoganBraaten-wm1lh]

The two brothers are my great great uncles. Are you related to them at all? Because if you are we could be related.

[@Streckenstillleger]

@@kellerthesciencefeller3436 nice plan.good luck.😁

[@keithjohnson7847]

@@kellerthesciencefeller3436 I'd love to get in contact with you. Can you send me your contact info?

[@SkrixFox]

RIP Louis (2010) and Cyril (2020).

[@flat6fever680]

I figured that sadly those gentlemen had passed on by now. What amazing men and nice long lives they had. Really makes you ponder your own contributions.

[@ehsnils]

Two men that left a lasting legacy behind.

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

I'm happy for them that they don't have to see what becomes of this country they worked and fought for.

[@dem0nchild610]

It's rare that you see two brothers create something so influential and not fall apart to greed

[@fokkerd3red618]

I always wondered about the history of the Bobcat. I used to run a Bobcat back in the mid 70's on a dairy farm running Silage carts, cleaning barns all kinds of various duties, then I joined the Army driving the APC 113 which steered just like a Bobcat. The instructor said you drive this like a pro, I told him I used to run a Bobcat every day. Thanks for the upload. I hope these brothers got rewarded financially for all there efforts and hard work. They deserved it.

[@s.marcus3669]

Cool story! I too, lived on a farm in Israel and drove an M-113 in the Israeli Army. Fun fact: NASA used to (or maybe still does) use an M-113 for an escape vehicle in case something goes wrong with the Space Shuttle/newer rockets. It's not really the best choice, if you think about it; even if you clad the thing in asbestos it's still made of aluminum....

[@fokkerd3red618]

@@s.marcus3669 I didn't know that about NASA, but your right about them being all aluminum. Ours had a 300 Detroit Diesel. I was a Track vehicle mechanic on all armored vehicles.

[@dons8122]

I can't even think of cleaning out barn with out a skidsteer any more all of the attachments out there for them now

[@fokkerd3red618]

@@dons8122 My Dad made sure me and my brother knew what it was like to clean barns by hand.

[@allaussietraveller9879]

Yes, I read they each got a $100 Home Depot gift voucher for their hard work developing the Bobcat.

[@waynejohnson5611]

I spent a week with Cy in Gwinner in 1973 at Bobcat Operators School. I was the only one to attend that week, so I had him to myself. Great guy, we went to the bowling alley every day after class to drink Grain Belt Beer. He told me the whole story as you hear it now. I was honored to be there with the original guys that created it. I did 20 years with the Bobcat store in Orlando Florida.

[@LoganBraaten-wm1lh]

The two brothers are my great great uncles. Wondering if you could share any more cool stories like that.

[@waynejohnson5611]

@@LoganBraaten-wm1lh Not sure how much I could tell you, I spent the better part of 5 days with Cy showing me about operating the Bobcat. I had experience already so we stopped early and went to the bowling alley, 3 lanes if I remember right, and drank beer and talked. He was a really nice guy, I never met Louis. He gave me a signed book about the evolution of the Bobcat, but someone nabbed it many years later. Pictures of them running the first machine in the turkey stalls, and how it evolved. I wish I had the book, but gone now.

[@flat6fever680]

Awesome!

[@deandee8082]

@@waynejohnson5611 theeves, rotten bastages!

[@steelwitness]

sounds like quite the honor

[@taofledermaus]

That was fantastic! I really enjoyed this.

[@letsdothis9063]

Good to see you here. Yeah, how awesome and well done was this? I worked in landscape, irrigation, and lighting when I was younger. I will forever have an appreciation for Bobcat. Very capable and very durable machines.

[@user-fm6ny3uo2b]

Very kool.

[@williampotter2098]

Yes, that was a fun video. I didn't even know they existed until I started watching Sonne Farms. Seeing how they were invented makes it seem more real. That's real history.

[@buddyguy4723]

@Chimpin Out Chicago last weekend, am i right.

[@chrism4008]

I find you in the most interesting places

[@cranelord]

It's always fascinating to me how something goes from a novel idea to an industry standard.

[@thetincan_man]

Never in my life did I think I'd see 4 cowboys square dancing with bobcats, this video was worth it just for that alone

[@kilburnvideos]

That was priceless.

[@merlepatterson]

Every single skid steer manufacturer in the world owes you men a debt of gratitude.

[@mike93eh]

And every skid steer manufacturer today is superior to Bobcat LOL

[@merlepatterson]

@@mike93eh I didn't mention Bobcat.

[@guamazolopez6456]

@@mike93ehkinda sad tbh idk what’s happening to bobcat

[@mike93eh]

@@guamazolopez6456 better engineering.. Bobcat slacked off hard the past 2 decades

[@pinwizz69]

​@@mike93eh. Doosan bought them out and began the downfall by not keeping up with state of the art improvements. What mods the have done are not what they need.

[@leftypeterbilt]

I believe it was 1967, and I was 11 when my dad took me with him to the Indiana State Fair to see a demonstration of the newest Melroe Bobcat. The operator dug a hole, and the entire machine fit inside the hole deeper than ground level. Then he dug himself out and refilled the hole. From that day on, the farm always had a Bobcat on it! Thanks for sharing and bringing back good memories. 😁👍🇺🇸

[@wolfman515]

Eddie Velo was the turkey farmer that went to them with an idea. He was a hard working man whose idea of a break was to use a smaller shovel for a few minutes. He didn't pay employees much, but he was actually a fairly decent man to work for. Eddie was a hands on boss, he would get dirty with the rest of us.

[@unclebenny9028]

Smaller shovel break... Classic!

[@Greg-io1ip]

The best bosses share the work. I remember the age of "Delegation" to subordinates was being drummed into corporate and middle management Americans by 1980's and somehow they forgot who was doing the real work. We do it to ourselves. I can remember on one hand my best bosses, employees and coworkers. They all believed in doing work. It is unfortunately a short list.

[@bobbg9041]

The boss whos willing to get down and dirty earns respect from his crew. FACT. I've got no respect for a guy who pushes paper all day giving commands but won't budge an inch to help when your backed up.

[@Swarm509]

Did he get anything for bringing them the idea of the Bobcat? I realize the brothers actually invented and built it but it sounds like it wouldn't exist if Eddie Velo didn't bring them the idea.

[@wolfman515]

@@Swarm509 He didn't do as well as he could have, but he did get good deals on bobcats and attachments for his farms.

[@999benhonda]

The simplicity of the first steering/clutch system is a thing of beauty.

[@nowake]

to conceive of that setup is pure genius

[@bhatkat]

And with now suspension you can beat them day and night for a year without a breakdown, as well as being one of the most versatile items ever designed.

[@jokergordon8446]

I had no idea the bobcat brand was that old. The brothers seem to be extremely good people. Definitely an interesting story.

[@gen-xboomer9489]

I saw my first one in 1981 when it dug out our pool as a kid. Not a farmer, have no land or use for one, but damn I still want one some day😁

[@richfarley8122]

Those guys are what America needs more of today. Been running skidsteers for over 20 years. Had no idea that it came from such humble traditions.

[@l337pwnage]

I never knew the story, but I figured Bobcat was old because we had a Gehl skidsteer and we always called it a "Bobcat", lol, so I knew there was something about that brand. Although, I'm glad we had a Gehl because it had a high seat position for great visibility and all hand controls. And while it was new enough to have a cage it was old enough you could take it off.

[@scottrayhons2537]

@l337pwnage I had a Gehl also. Simple machine to work on but underpowered.

[@l337pwnage]

@@scottrayhons2537 Ours had a little Ford gas 4 cylinder. It was just used to move manure, snow, and other small stuff, so it worked for us. My dad would lay an electric bathroom heater right on the intake to start it in the winter. Amazingly enough, we never burnt the barn down, lol. I dunno where the choke was supposed to be, but, for us, it was a piece of wire laying on the floor next to the seat. Again, tho, the controls were brick simple and easy to use. Much later in life I worked for a company that had a Bobcat brand, and, wow, was it a lot more exercise, both physically and mentally, to operate. And the visibility was terrible.

[@robertozayas5490]

People like these is what kids should be looking up to these days ! Best story I've heard in a very very long time. This is awesome!🤓

[@StoneTheCr0w]

​@killacommieformommy don't lick the boot so hard son, you'll wear a hole straight through the leather

[@turtleguy420]

​@@StoneTheCr0w😂

[@kevink9106]

I bought my first Bobcat model 743 in 1984 and owned many different Bobcats over the last 39 years. The first Bobcats were amazing machines that just got better and better each year. Making money with Bobcat allowed me to retire early and today I still have one of the best Bobcats ever made for personal use on my hobby farm. A great machine made by great men who worked hard to make things easier for all. Thank guys!

[@MNJay1]

It's my personal belief that these 2 brothers should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for this machine. If they gave that award to the man who invented dynamite, that blew things up, they should very well award it to these two. The unfathomable amount of man hours and backbreaking labor this machine does and has saved mankind from doing is a true blessing to the human race, the world over. It's an extraordinary, remarkable machine.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Only problem with that is the Nobel Peace Prize is for Peace. If you keep two countries from blowing each other up, for example, that might get someone nominated.

[@peachsncream5808]

I understand your sentiment .

[@MNJay1]

@kurtvonfricken6829 Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace, while a memorial prize in economic sciences was added in 1968. They can hand it out after the fact.

[@Halofan830]

Alfred Nobel, the man who invented dynamite also invented the Nobel Prize :)

[@MNJay1]

@Halofan830 A method of destruction gets the prize, under the premise that it helped railroad and mining operations. Seems to me the Bobcat machine saved more backs and made work easy, just like dynamite.

[@herzogsbuick]

That was a really fun watch. And the Keller brothers' emphasis on fun was great. And how they described the turkey farmer saying "If only I had a machine to clean the coops my job would be fun". And then the ending with the dancing Bobcats! Work's not always fun, but working to make it fun is worth it.

[@cdjhyoung]

I've been around large scale turkey farming. I can't imagine this machine making it 'fun'. But maybe tolerable.

[@herzogsbuick]

@@cdjhyoung heh I have no doubt. It could be a relative thing, since everyone had just gotten back from the war. On a scale of WWII to Your Favorite Thing To Do, surely turkey farming's not all the way on either side. Their words though, who am I to judge another?

[@cdjhyoung]

@@herzogsbuick I've raised hogs, beef cattle, veal calves, chickens, turkeys and dairy cows. On a scale of the worse to smell, turkeys are a close second to veal calves, but not nearly as disgusting. The idea of keeping turkeys in a barn and only cleaning the pen when you move them out, that would be hard to take. No wonder he had a hard time hiring help, good or bad.

[@27neverlose]

I bought my first Bobcat in 1989. It's a used 743, that I still own today. When I bought it, it had just under 800 hours and cost me $10,000. That machine worked 3 to 5 days a week for about 15 years, helping produce millions of dollars. It turned into a yard machine. I keep her in great shape and will never let it go regardless.

[@corybuiltsean1900]

You have a good one new ones tho trash

[@gavinvalentino6002]

CBS is a brilliant genius.

[@corruptduboiscountyindiana5058]

millions of dollars? What did you use it to rob banks?

[@BangBangBang.]

@@corruptduboiscountyindiana5058 hey edge lord, being hired and doing work may be a foreign concept to you

[@27neverlose]

@@corybuiltsean1900 Your 100% right... The new Bobcats are definitely not like the old style work horse's. These new Bobcats spend more time in the shop then they work. Most of the time they need to go to an authorized bobcat dealer. It's a scam how they need so much dealer support or they will refuse to run.

[@StephenWells707]

A rare breed these days. Humble. Service-oriented. Smart. And always trying to improve things. Hats off to them!

[@haulingit1793]

I started working as a welder for Melroe in Gwinner,ND in 1975- it was a great place to work back then- I stayed for a few years, we would get laid off every year for about 4 months and then they would call us back- as the sales got better and better, the plant got bigger and bigger- I made good money for 1975- the winters were brutal- but the money made us stay. I worked the night shift as it paid more than the day shift. I got a better offer at another company with no layoffs, so I left Gwinner behind.

[@wilmerhersa1808]

Proud of you Sr. I hope you enjoy your life after the sacrifices. 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ♥️

[@42lookc]

Boy, that was ingenuity in action. We owe a LOT to those two gentlemen.

[@Anonymousxxiiii]

This was a great video. I am speaking as a proud grandson of my grandfather , as a fireman invented two things. First off, a portable fire fighting water machine is capable of providing water to multiple areas within short distances, primarily for high-rise buildings and domestic dwellings. No.2 is the swing check valve for allowing pumps to suck water from ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. He was a great man. And it makes me more proud that there are men just like him who made this world easier for the betterment of us all. Thank you, Grandad. 🙂👍

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

Wow, that's so cool. I sure miss my Opa. Brilliant man, makes everyone in my generation look stupid.

[@humannotanalien8675]

May they tinker away forever in the great machine shop in the sky. Rest in peace Louis and Cyril Keller, two of the brightest minds the 20th&21st century

[@larrybolhuis1049]

I wish to thank the company for including a lap belt on the model 600! I spent many hundreds of hours in a model 600 working for my Uncle on his dairy farm. Those clutches worked so smoothly and easily and after a time you could operate that machine like it was part of you. What an amazing tool!! That model had no cage and for those of you who spent time in such a model you know why I'm thankful for that lap belt! (For those who didn't, it turns out it wasn't all that hard to lift a load high and slow too quickly and tip it on it's nose! With the lap belt on you had just enough time to lower the load and flip yourself back upright! Without the belt, well that would be very bad!)

[@abefehr6155]

Amen doing a lipstand off the windshield sucks

[@larrybolhuis1049]

@@abefehr6155 Oh there was no windshield, you'd be doing a face-plant in cow manure !!

[@billmadison2032]

I can't imagine some idiot trying to put one of those on a trailer and having it roll on their head. When I was 18 I was working for a landscape company and the foreman kept flipping it over loading it on the trailer. I put it up there no problem and from that day forward I was driving that thing all the time

[@ranlove47]

Had a bobcat for my landscaping company in the late 80-90. Teaching new hires not to raise the bucket with a full load and back quickly or stop the dump half way was quickly learned when one new hire thought he could just jump in and go to work. After he launched himself out of the seat he quickly got the message.

[@actionjksn]

​@@ranlove47I drove a different brand called New Holland and those things would not start without the seatbelt on. Which was fine I could not figure out a scenario where you would want to drive it without the seatbelt on.

[@OLDSCHOOLROGUE]

Such a heart warming story! The good days of AMERICAN ingenuity. We would be so much better off to get back to this mindset!

[@ms.annthrope415]

We still produce such men. The products are for the information age, not mechanical. Microsoft, Apple, Linux, Amazon, Google, Dell, etc.

[@OLDSCHOOLROGUE]

@@ms.annthrope415 Not exactly the same thing. Yes, those men have much ingenuity, but, they are not all pure of heart.

[@rodyoutsey8786]

Amen. I've said for years, when they put a computer in a Bobcat it was the beginning of the end! Now look at what this stuff has become. A bunch of over engineered junk that the average person can't afford. Or if we're to buy a used current model can't afford to fix.( Even if you can get the parts.) I bought a new Bobcat in 93. Still have it today. Very reliable and simple. Just before things got out of hand.

[@IsaacMeyerMN]

As a young child, I remember meeting Cyril while ice fishing on Ottertail Lake. He was retired by then and always kind to us kids. He was known for taking his time to plow some snow roads on the lake with his skidsteer.

[@tenthdimension9836]

The comments are almost as good as the video. Really enjoyed this. I've owned and run several bobcats over the years and can never get enough of them.

[@andrewashmore8000]

Cool , thanks for sharing. I like the quote from the brothers " we can fix anything , welding anything but can't mend a broken heart "

[@imdeplorable2241]

I just want to say publicly, thank you to the Keller brothers, Cyril and Louis. Well done, gentlemen. Well done.👏👏

[@TomKappeln]

This kind of people made the world go round. Even in Germany the Bobcat is very well known.

[@steveashworth6707]

The first bobcat I ran was a M500 in 1973 and 50 years later at 66 years old I have a bobcat in the barn I use a good bit!. I never new the history on how they got started, great video!. I wouldnt own anything else but a bobcat!, I've owned and operated them for 50 years!.

[@vincentcalcopietro6970]

Which model do you have now

[@davidchristensen6908]

These men and my dad all went to school at a time when an 8th grade education would give you a start in life. Why because in school then reading writing and math was really taught and comprehended before a child move to the next grade. My dad built boat, homes fixed anything that broke. He worked for other then started his own business and him and my mom with 1 8th grade education the other a high school education started and sold 3 different companies that they dreamed up and started. Amazing people that generation.

[@robertbowman9108]

goes to show, high school really doesn't have a academic purpose, mostly social

[@abefehr6155]

Indeed

[@CustomWeldingandFab]

Now we have laws that don’t allow just an 8th grade education.

[@roadieman209]

@@CustomWeldingandFab Now we have laws that allow 8th grade "Boys" to compete in 8th grade Girls sports! WTF?? America is finished.

[@CustomWeldingandFab]

@@roadieman209 exactly, sad

[@johnosborn2555]

A truly inspiring story and I've never seen two more deserving fellas.

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

As a landscaper in the 80's I had hundreds of hours on Bobcats. Great machines.

[@wassabuck]

Two men who changed so many industries. Brilliant.

[@lanceglassgow3761]

Look at theses beautiful people. Hard working humble respectful. Not like society today.

[@ShainAndrews]

Says more about you than society.

[@mikeklinger1712]

Unfortunately there is a lot of truth there! What happened to America's work 💪 ethic! These college age & younger just whine 😢 today!

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@ShainAndrews You will never come close to realizing the lives those people lived, and did it without a "safe space". They grew up with nothing during the depression. Then when they came of age, they got to fight a world war. And once that war was over, they transformed this nation into a nation strong in every way. None of us generations since have measured up to them yet. I am very glad and proud to of gotten to work with and socialize with those great people. They were secure in who they were. They were happy with what they had. They had a sense of connection with each other in everything they did. And they felt good about doing their share. They surely were the "Great Generation".

[@ShainAndrews]

@@ronfullerton3162 Right.... because somebody has not lived an allegedly shitty life nobody else can ever measure up. Talk about defective logic.

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@ShainAndrews That is not what I meant and you know it. You singlehandedly have proven exactly what the rest of us have been saying. You either get up and go out and be productive. Or you just whine about your life when you already have more stuff than any other generation ever has, with more options and abilities to improve your life than anyone before. It is your decision to make of what road you take. We just do not want to hear you whine about having to get off your dead butt and paying your own way.

[@Jabberwok28]

As someone who is a long-time fan and operator of Bobcats, I had never heard their backstory - to my shame. This was awesome and the way the Keller Bros handled their success is… inspiring , if that is not too cliche.

[@jblob5764]

Absolutely awesome story. You never hear these origin stories and this one definitely a good one Also the bobcat dance at the end was as impressive as it was goofy 🤣

[@nightstorm9128]

Incredible men,,if they needed something they invented it,,if it broke they made parts to fix it,,people today could learn a lot from them.

[@robdave1974]

Well done boys, your engineering and ingenuity will live on forever. Great story.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

What a lovely story. It is The American Dream: hard-working people with the vision see the solution to an unfilled need. My own dad grew up on a farm in Kansas and he learned how to fix what was broken--whether it was a tractor, or plumbing, or a door, or a washing machine. And he passed all that on to me. I am fortunate to have that sort of connection to the Keller brothers. Much respect!

[@damnyankeerebelprepper1324]

Love, and hard work. These brothers and those like them are what really built this country.

[@thepsyc_one4245]

70 years almost where the world would be without these two men.

[@gilzor9376]

Credit they do deserve, however . . . . . Necessity is the mother of all inventions proven successful. Therefore without a doubt, had these two men never been born, another two, or even perhaps just one, would have been there to fill the need.

[@roadwolf2]

These boys were from the see a need fill a need days.

[@brucelancaster7405]

Those good old farm boys, look what they created, absolutely amazing 👍👍👍

[@dapfitz5]

14!!! that Mom should have been awarded the freaking Nobel Peace Prize !

[@brettmorton7365]

Very interesting to see how a couple of clever guys filling a need, has expanded into a universal name worldwide! And that little dance at the end, priceless!!

[@nemonautilus8057]

Hi. I am Russian. It probably will sound strange, but I proud that America have people like this two brothers. They a really great people. It was interesting documentary film about brothers, who work hard & make products, which know in all world. I hope they will live a few happy decades more, & I hope new American's will be like this brothers.

[@user-dz5jb7bc2x]

I have had Bobcats for 35 years, Can't imagine life without one. These gentlemen have my gratitude.

[@freedomforever6718]

The time honored saying that necessity is the mother of invention is as true as ever. And these two ol' boys prove it.

[@user-rc5jm1he4h]

What a fantastic and homely story proving once again that necessity is the mother of invention, especially when you've got some very clever country boys.

[@MikeHarris1984]

This is amazing. These guys changed every farm, ranch, construction site since!

[@k20nutz]

This is amazing! I love the story and it's a nice little documentary. No fluff, No drama, just perfect.

[@tablature6121]

My uncle and my dad were both in the integrated poultry business at its inception. Scooping out the litter between flocks was indeed a hard, labor intensive, time-consuming job. That's why my uncle purchased a Melroe Bobcat 500 in the early sixties -- brand new and yellow in color at that time, for some reason. Later on my dad purchased a used one of his own -- a white Melroe Bobcat 500 much like the ones at the end of this video -- no roll cage. After much use by my late dad and myself over the years, the thing is still operational and reliable, and I still have it and use it. The engine -- a 23hp Onan "opposing 2 cylinder" -- has been rebuilt twice, the last time by me. The cylinders were worn so -- beyond the use of the available oversized pistons and rings -- it had to bored and sleeved, but it's still running. The Bobcat is truly a labor-saving miracle machine and many thanks to the Keller brothers for their God-given gift of engineering genius. My back and the backs of countless others are eternally grateful.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

My Dad bought a used M500 in '75... no roll cage. In the early 80's he traded for a used M610 and the 1st thing he did was take off the roll cage. Don't know why they quit the hand/foot control... so, intuitive! I hauled a lot of rocks, hog manure, and what have you, with both of them. He threw me on the M500 at the ripe old age of 8! Miss you so much, Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tablature6121]

@@atomicwedgie8176 I hear ya, Atomic, I miss my dad still and after over 30 years gone. He absolutely loved his Bobcat and could use it as if a part of himself. I imagine your dad removed the cage for 2 reasons: !. It obscured his side vision, and 2. The 'Cat was used on mostly level ground where there was little chance of a rollover, which, because of the low center of gravity of the Bobcat, little chance of a rollover on any ground. EDITED TO ADD: 3. Sometimes they were removed to provide greater overhead clearance, as in a chicken house with low hanging equipment. In reality, they were useless appendages mandated by the government. I seriously doubt a complete "rollover" of any Bobcat from that period. Maybe teetering to land one side or the other, but the sheer, flat construction of the 'Cat on either side, plus the high boom mounts on either side, would prevent any complete "rollover" on either side, and that on the steepest of grades. Your dad was no doubt a better, and more realistic, accident actuarial than any employed by the government or any insurance companies, at least when it came to these amazing machines. I really haven't kept up with all the newer models and innovations, but I've really had little need to except for where to get parts when needed from whatever ownership changes over the years -- (in order of my memory) Melroe, Clark, Ingersoll-rand, to whoever has them now (I think it's still Ingersoll- Rand, but not sure). And I have had machinist fabricate parts, as have others I have known, simply due to the age, and sometimes the price of replacement parts for the 500. Fortunately, they're so well built, that is a rare occurrence.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

@@tablature6121 Yeah, lost him last February, on Mom's birthday. He treated everyone like they were a long-lost friend and was ALWAYS in a good mood! He took the cage off, because it was safer to exit if the arms were up. They were used hard, but always parked in the machine shed overnight. Hope you get your 500 purring, again!

[@tablature6121]

@@atomicwedgie8176 Condolences for the loss of your dad. All too well do I know your grief. I pray the Good Lord extends some comfort and peace. Yeah the 'Cat is still purring although I haven't had need of it since retiring, so it's still parked in the shed awaiting the completion of a restoration started some time ago. I've hopes of making it a showpiece of museum quality. It's more than earned it.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

@@tablature6121 Good luck and Thank You for the kind words! OOHRAH!

[@shawn081082]

What a couple of humble, wonderful gentlemen!!!

[@stevenpederson1645]

Fantastic video. Anybody that grew up on a farm in Minnesota in the 1900's had to have a great work ethic to survive .

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

Or a farm near-'bout anywhere, really.

[@synchronuse]

Anyone who lived then is dead now.

[@mdwoods100]

We had some in the foundry basement when I worked at a GM foundry in the 70s. They were a blast to operate and so very useful.

[@scottfranklin4541]

My hat is off to the two of you gentlemen and all who helped it come to fruition. Possibly two of the best financial moves I've ever made...not to mention therapeutic.

[@thehobbyshop5306]

Fantastic! THESE are the kinds of stories a lot of us want to hear and celebrate.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

"God gives you"... Indeed, he did, sir. Such a great video, well worth the nineteen minutes of my life to watch. Thanks!!!

[@terrysweitzer6772]

The greatest construction tool ever devised! The true "Swiss army knife" of equipment!

[@prairiefarmer5994]

We still have a 642B on our farm. Grandpa bought it new in the mid 80s, she’s old and haggard but still works as it should. These gentlemen changed a lot of industries with the Bobcat. Pretty cool to learn it was invented not terribly far from where I farm today.

[@bobd3707]

Ran many of these in my 66 years. Never knew the history.. great story

[@Jonathan-ls3ge]

I really enjoyed that Video on Bobcat and those gentlemen may they rest in peace didn't know it was a truly American-made piece of equipment

[@saftigesfruchtchen456]

America has produced very wonderful machines. Vey fine engineering. Greetings from Germany!

[@shable1436]

Hello from VA!!! I built a beach with one, I actually drove it into water submerged with sand, and the bobcat never stopped, from building crossties to pushing sand all the way so kids could enjoy the water. Still to this day families enjoy that beach we built, we I mean me and these geniuses

[@PaulThomas-qo9vy]

That was a great true story of good ol' American ingenuity & the can do spirit of the Keller brothers! I'm inspired!

[@Dlezinye]

Amazing...inspirational...that old school American can-do attitude. Love and respect from 🇿🇦

[@EveryTongue]

This is literally the best video on KZbin

[@thefattymcgee5801]

I hope they know how much happiness they've given so many of us. Bobcats are great

[@capefear3297]

Great story. We owned a BC when we had a fertilizer business. Aptly named, a real money maker, time, and back saver. Thanks, Keller brothers.

[@johnthompson4162]

I can't put into words what the Bobcat has did for our farm. I'm a young age of 52 a started driving the 610. Dad retired now, we still have a 642B bought new in 1991. The hand foot feet sequence I do without thinking. Raised 5000 pigs, no slat equals alot of bobcat time. Love love you all and a big thanks to all the Kellars. John T.

[@mimusic1853]

Hello there we’re in the concrete business in Iowa and no wonder my brother always said those hand foot feet models were to push manure heck you can’t do any efficient fine grading in them😂

[@abefehr6155]

Yeah amazing machine

[@norrishude6177]

Have been driving one since 2000 but can't tell you what foot does what, it just happens.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Hand/Foot controls RULE!!!!!!!!!!! So, intuitive!

[@strangersound]

Arguably one of the most productive machines ever made. Thanks for the history lesson! :)

[@gmailman001001]

I'm glad that this story was recorded and edited so well ..🎉🎉

[@thomaspaine4670]

Their statement about its use for cleanup is 100% accurate. I work in an aluminum smelter, and we absolutely use front-end loaders to move material, but it's a skid-steer that cleans up.

[@chrisstromberg6527]

Worked all thru high school and most of college on a landscape farm. The skidsteer/bobcat was the most versatile piece of machinery we had and was fun to operate!

[@FarmsteadForge]

Very cool video, what a story! My dad had one of the first 610's in our area. My brother still has it and uses it. I have an 853 Bobcat and I'd be lost without it!

[@speed5763]

my dad ask me in 1975 if i wanted to work on the farm (just graduated) I said NO unless you get a bobcat . Seem like all i did was run a pitchfork /shovel --Got a 610 two days later-Been farming ever since ! !

[@networkengineer.online]

Square Dancing Bobcats. Nicely presented and thank you, gentlemen!

[@ralphwatten2426]

At General Mills Elevator A in Duluth Mn there were electric powered Bobcats unloading grain from boxcars. They were 440 volts and really quick. When the good guys were operating them they just kind of bounced around. When the cord got pinched between the wall of the car and the cord, there were huge sparks and the machine was shut down until a new cord was put on. Tons of fun to operate and everybody wanted to operate one.

[@izyj.8679]

Bobcat has been in my life since I was 8 years old. 28 years later and we still have bobcats.

[@Ice_Karma]

A fascinating look at the origin of something that's now so commonplace and mundane, and the footage of the squaredancing Bobcats at the end is worth the weight of the film it was shot on in gold. I'm going to guess that those were four of their best operators, and despite the precision with which they execute it, it probably only took somewhere from a couple hours to a couple days to put together.

[@architude]

I'm very happy that you showed it as it is, a brand name. Everyone says bobcat but it's technically and literally a mini excavator. Nice to see you showed the distinction.

[@218philip]

One of the virtues of equipment was its cost and repairability, today they are incredible machines but are unfathomably complex, expensive and unrepairable. My case 1845 will run with no battery and I can fix it (well the pumps are a bit over my ability). Regulations are killing entrepreneurs.

[@rodyoutsey8786]

Amen. I've said for years, when they put a computer on a skid loader. That was the beginning of the end. I bought a new Bobcat in1993. Still starts every time. I also have an old 610. Just good, simple, reliable machines.

[@ronfullerton3162]

I preferred the Uni 1845 just because of all functions were ran by hand. When it was rough ground, I could brace myself with my feet and legs and not get gosseled around. Regardless of the make, these two brothers came up with the idea and made life easier for us that used them.

[@willtricks9432]

@@rodyoutsey8786 I have a 610 and it is so easy to work and work on tough as old boots and still going.

[@rodyoutsey8786]

@@willtricks9432 Amen to that.

[@RuralTowner]

And some businesses being sue-happy if you try introducing something you think might be a great idea only to get a letter proclaiming infringement instead of a friendly Please Don't. End up having to walk on egg shells.

[@martiniv8924]

These guys (and gals) are what made 🇺🇸 great 👏🏻👏🏻 respect from the 🇬🇧

[@williesnyder2899]

Another Minnesotan here. The Bobcat, and the skid steer system, has fascinated me since I was a teenager long, long ago! And to think that neither brother required a high school diploma, college, computer programming, outsourcing for drafting services… Good going!!

[@triggerwarning2439]

I picked up a case 1835c diesel skidsteer that was pretty neglected for $500 a couple years ago, it only had 3 wheels because someone literally drove the wheel off it. Being a disabled fabricator I didn't have the $1200 for the new part so I added material where there should have been for the bearings and shaped it back propper. It only cost me about $150 to get that fixed and a couple hundred in all new fluids and I was now feeding the cows the big rounds instead of hand feeding small bails 😊. I had to rebuild the motor last year because I ran it out of fuel and I didn't see my dad dumping a half a can of starting fluid in the air box while I was trying to start it and sucked it all in at once causing the piston skirts and rings to end up in the oil pan 🤦‍♂️. I dont know how I got anything done before having this machine, it is the most versatile piece of equipment anyone could have. Best invention ever created and hearing this story filled my heart with joy, I love making my own tooling and equipment and could see myself being best friends with these two brothers if I ever crossed their path. I would have loved growing up in their time, back when there was so much to be discovered 👍❤

[@Dan-qy1rg]

An awesome video and machine! I have an Bobcat model 610 that my dad left me when he passed away in 2015. He used to run that little Bobcat all the time and made a good little living with it, after he retired. It has since been setting and I would love to get it back up and running. Maybe I can some day, thanks for this video, loved it. Have a great day!

[@eugenerowland1262]

THANKS for this excellent documentary of American genius and innovation 🇺🇸 😀👍

[@scottorton482]

I grew up on a bobcat they are fantastic in every way. You can do so much with one. Awesome machine.

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

The Bobcat hoedown at the end really had me laughing! Amazing men and very lovingly crafted video.

[@kewlmanable]

These kind of people are what make this country the best. Makes me proud to be an American!

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

It's fascinating to me that the lack of steering wheel was the difficulty. My dad had a bobcat wheel loader when I was a kid and I thought it was entirely intuitive and I took to it very well. Now that I have my own property I can't wait to get my hands on one myself.

[@chrisstromberg6527]

Yes, you essentially became one with the machine!

[@johnnemeth825]

What a great history of what these men did God Bless them for a great machine

[@markkeller1778]

I am Mark Keller, and these are amazing machines created by two amazing guys. Never underestimate a Keller.

[@cronos51101]

I've been an engineer designing custom equipment for 9 years. Seeing the simplicity of that belt reverser at 9:41 was humbling... It's a very clever way to do the job with minimal complexity.

[@bigunone]

I remember the first one I operated was in the mid 70s, sure beat a shovel and wheel barrow

[@ThePostApocalypticInventor]

Wow. This just made my day! What an incredibly charming story.