After several years of purchasing excavators on an OEM basis from Japanese (U.S. market)
and French (European market) suppliers, the bobcat company started building its own mini excavators at Bismarck, North Dakota in 1989.

In 1992 on a dealer meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota the first excavator model was introduced.
Click on the photos to enlarge!

 

 

This was the X 225.
Manufactured by Clover the X 225 was scaled down to 1/25.

The X 225 scale model featured operational cylinders, 360° rotation and rubber tracks.
Inside the operator canopy there where details like: operator seat, joystick handles and steering levers.


Bobcat X 225

The box displayed a picture of a X 255 scale model with the previous decals, this scale model never made it to production.

Also on the box was the Fortune Magazine logo:

In 1988 Fortune Magazine had named the bobcat skid steer loader to its "America's Best" list.
100 American made products that represent the best of their kind, anywhere in the world.
The honor was repeated in 1991.

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