Bobcat Proprietary Technology

[thetool]

Appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.
Emmisions requirements are driving the necessity of building in computer controls on not just the cars and trucks we drive, but construction and agricultural equipment as well.
With Bobcat so far, computer systems are limited to monitoring and control of everything but the engine. There are no electronic emissions controls yet, but it's coming.
There is a lot of heartburn about "Bobcats and their danged computers" out there, and while it's no great comfort to current owners(Beta testers) who experience costly repairs, Bobcat's going to have a leg up when the entire system is integrated with engine/emission controls and it's REQUIRED BY LAW to build them with this stuff.
Although I love Bobcats, my problem is with their computer system. Not that they have it, but that they won't share it. They won't give it over, not even to an owner. Because they don't have to.
You need three things to get into the diagonostic and calibration areas of a newer Bobcat. A computer, which most everyone has or has access to. An interface, or the Remote Start Tool, which you may or may not be able to get, depending on your dealer, and the software. If you ask for a copy of the software, even the version that is loaded onto YOUR MACHINE, which it seems to me you at least are lisensed to use, you will be denied. This is arguable because they will, for a fee, load it onto your machine. But YOU can't.
These very same issues are being adressed in HR 2694, "Motor Vehicle Owners Right To Repair Act of 2007" which is being wrangled over now, but it only applies to on-highway cars and trucks as defined right now. It will basically direct manufactureres to make available (for sale)all the tools necessary to repair it themselves or have it repaired by whom they will. It breaks their service monopoly networks.
Many of the same forces which govern the operation of motor vehicles and the costs thereof have the construction and agricultural equipment industry in their sights. My chrystal balls tell me there will be annual emissions testing requirements for your loader and excavator before too long.
If this bill passes, and offers car and truck owners some protection and relief, and your machine is subject to the same requirements as those cars and trucks, and you are building the roads and houses and growing all the food for those same owners, shouldn't you get the same break?
Do you think HR 2694 should include the manufacturers of off-highway construction and agricultural equipment?

 

[Tazza]

I have to agree that this is coming, common rail has been around for a little while now and it won't be long till its installed in their new machines. If they were smart, they would use the stock computer that will be provided with the engine, but we know how dealers are, they want to build their own specifically for the job. It doesn't matter that a LOT of money has been spent in R&D by the manufacturer of the engine.
I agree that we all should have the rite to repair our own gear, its up to the dealer to price their software accordingly i guess.
I have heard a few bad things about the computer controlled diesel stationary engines, earth moving gear is NOT a place for computers.

 

[73Eldo]

I have to agree that this is coming, common rail has been around for a little while now and it won't be long till its installed in their new machines. If they were smart, they would use the stock computer that will be provided with the engine, but we know how dealers are, they want to build their own specifically for the job. It doesn't matter that a LOT of money has been spent in R&D by the manufacturer of the engine.
I agree that we all should have the rite to repair our own gear, its up to the dealer to price their software accordingly i guess.
I have heard a few bad things about the computer controlled diesel stationary engines, earth moving gear is NOT a place for computers.

Its going to be just like the early(ish) EFI cars. The Cadillacs in the 70's had to have special tools and manuals. In the 80's every make (even some models) had their own tools and manuals. By the early 90's it got pretty expensive to be a all around shop because there was so many tools to buy just to do basic diagnostics. That was among the reasons for the OBD2 standard. At least now one tool can do basic engine/ emissions diagnostics. The rest of the car is a whole other story. My 05 dodge has computers in each door that require special software. I would imagine the basic industrial engines are going to have some sort of a standard but the rest of the machine.. who knows. Here in the us the diesel industry is still kind of messed up from them not being ready for the new regulations that kicked in a few years ago. A friend of mine sells fire pumps that are usually diesel powered and his customers have had to delay opening of large stores and office complexes because the engines are on backorder. Are the emissions from the fire pump really an issue since it only runs if the building is on fire? Do you have any idea how much they wanted for the software? I assume the current Bobcats are all 'fly by wire'? And now they are moving to computer controlled wire?