Bobcat History
History
In the 1950s, Louis and Cyril Keller operated Keller Welding and Repair work near Rothsay, Minnesota. In 1956 Eddie Velo, a turkey planter from the area, explained to the Kellers a necessity for an equipment small enough to navigate inside a pole barn, and light sufficient to operate its top level. The brothers exercised [when?] a little, 3-wheeled layout with a belt-driven transmission, and delivered it to Velo on February 4, 1957. Velo allowed the Kellers comprehensive access to his operations. The Kellers soon discovered of disadvantages to the belt-driven transmission, and created and patented a clutch-based transmission system in 1958 which was much more sturdy.
The new transmission became the basis of the Melroe M60 loader; their uncle, an equipment dealer for the Gwinner, ND-based Melroe Produce Firm advocated for that company marketing the devices, resulting in Melroe inviting the Kellers to show at the 1958 Minnesota State Exhibition. Melroe introduced the four-wheeled M400 model "Skid-Steer Loader" in 1960, and began making use of "Bobcat" as a brand name for such products in 1962, on the 440-model loader. Les Melroe and advertising agent Lynn Bickett picked the "Bobcat" name while trading name ideas throughout a drive between Minneapolis and Gwinner, and Bickett and Sylvan Melroe established the "tough, fast, and energetic" motto utilized in marketing the very early loaders.
In the 1950s, Louis and Cyril Keller operated Keller Welding and Repair work near Rothsay, Minnesota. In 1956 Eddie Velo, a turkey planter from the area, explained to the Kellers a necessity for an equipment small enough to navigate inside a pole barn, and light sufficient to operate its top level. The brothers exercised [when?] a little, 3-wheeled layout with a belt-driven transmission, and delivered it to Velo on February 4, 1957. Velo allowed the Kellers comprehensive access to his operations. The Kellers soon discovered of disadvantages to the belt-driven transmission, and created and patented a clutch-based transmission system in 1958 which was much more sturdy.
The new transmission became the basis of the Melroe M60 loader; their uncle, an equipment dealer for the Gwinner, ND-based Melroe Produce Firm advocated for that company marketing the devices, resulting in Melroe inviting the Kellers to show at the 1958 Minnesota State Exhibition. Melroe introduced the four-wheeled M400 model "Skid-Steer Loader" in 1960, and began making use of "Bobcat" as a brand name for such products in 1962, on the 440-model loader. Les Melroe and advertising agent Lynn Bickett picked the "Bobcat" name while trading name ideas throughout a drive between Minneapolis and Gwinner, and Bickett and Sylvan Melroe established the "tough, fast, and energetic" motto utilized in marketing the very early loaders.