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The Bobcat MT52 is a compact “mini-track loader” (sometimes called “multi-terrain loader”) originally produced between 2004 and 2007 by Bobcat. It was built as a very small, nimble loader designed for tight spaces — making it useful in landscaping, light construction, small-site work, or any job where a full-size skid steer or loader would be too large.
Basic Specs and Capabilities
Design Intent and Historical Context
In the early 2000s, many job sites — especially urban, residential, landscaping or light-commercial — needed compact, highly maneuverable equipment. Full-size skid steers or tracked loaders were too bulky, and hand labor or manual wheelbarrows were too slow or inefficient. The MT52 was Bobcat’s answer: a small tracked loader that could carry out many of the tasks of a larger machine but fit in small yards, narrow alleys, or tight clearances.
The choice of a small, efficient 20 hp diesel Kubota engine underscores the intention: reliability, fuel efficiency, and enough power for light-to-medium tasks without excessive fuel consumption or weight. As such, the MT52 occupied a niche between handheld machinery and full-size loaders.
Real-World Use and Owner Experience
Users who’ve operated the MT52 often note its strengths — but also its limitations. In one owner’s words, when working on slopes or uneven terrain, the MT52 “worked great… the narrow tracks still gave good traction” even when the ground was loose or wet. The compact size made navigating tight areas easy, and changing attachments was straightforward thanks to a universal mount system.
On the other hand, some operators found drawbacks: for example, using a 4-in-1 bucket attachment — useful for grabbing debris or logs — the hydraulic lines began leaking after only 15 minutes of work under load, which forced them to stop. Others trying to trench even 2-ft deep in rocky soil reported that the chain trencher attachment would “bind up,” making the job inefficient.
These real-world issues highlight a general trade-off: the MT52 is useful in tight spaces and for light tasks — but it may struggle with heavy digging, rocky soil, or extended high-stress use.
Maintenance and Common Problems
Because the MT52 is compact and light, maintenance is critical for reliable performance. Proper hydraulic fluid changes, track inspection, and timely servicing of engine components (filters, belts, oil) are especially important. According to the official maintenance chart, genuine replacement parts (filters, belts, hydraulic fluid, etc.) are recommended to meet Bobcat’s specifications.
One recurring complaint from owners is hydraulic leaks — especially when attachments demand extra force or are used continuously. Such leaks not only reduce performance but pose safety risks.
Because the loader is lightweight, overloading beyond rated capacity or using heavy attachments can lead to instability or mechanical failure. It’s essential never to exceed the stated rated operating capacity (520 lb), and to ensure loads are carried low and balanced.
Suitability and What MT52 Is Good For
Given its size and capabilities, MT52 is best suited for:
Lessons from Owners — Stories and Recommendations
One user working in a densely wooded area tried using the MT52 with a grapple bucket to remove thick logs and brush. They found the loader handled 24–30-inch logs reasonably well, but when hydraulics were pushed hard for extended periods, leaks started appearing — forcing early shutdown. After that, they switched to lighter, smaller loads and limited continuous work hours, which improved reliability.
In another case, someone tried to trench two feet deep using a chain-trencher attachment. The machine exhibited binding issues repeatedly — likely due to hydraulic flow limitations and the narrow undercarriage — and the job was abandoned after several attempts. These real-world experiences illustrate that while the MT52 is versatile, operators must calibrate expectations according to its size and design.
What Succeded It and Legacy
The MT52 is no longer produced — Bobcat discontinued it after 2007. Its niche, however, continues to be filled by newer compact track loaders and mini skid-steers, some with better hydraulic flow, improved attachments, and larger rated capacities. The legacy of the MT52 lies in demonstrating that even a sub-3,000 lb loader could be useful, manageable, and cost-effective for light jobs in tight spaces.
Today, many used MT52 units remain in circulation — often bought second-hand by landscapers, small contractors, or hobbyists who need a compact machine for occasional use but don’t require heavy-duty performance.
Conclusion
The Bobcat MT52 is a good example of compact design meeting specific user needs: small size, light weight, adequate lift capacity, and versatility for light-duty tasks in restricted spaces. Its strengths are clear when used within its intended scope — landscaping, small-scale material handling, or light site work. But pushing beyond that scope — heavy digging, deep trenching, long periods under high hydraulic load — exposes its limitations in power, breakout force, and hydraulic robustness.
For anyone considering an MT52 (used), the best approach is to match the tasks to what it was designed for, maintain it diligently, use quality parts and fluids, and avoid overloading or continuous heavy-duty use. If you follow these principles, even an older MT52 can perform reliably for years — a small machine that accomplishes big utility in its own niche.
Basic Specs and Capabilities
- Engine: 3-cylinder diesel (from Kubota, model D722-EB), about 20 hp.
- Operating (loaded) weight: approx 2,580 lbs (≈ 1170 kg)
- Rated operating capacity (ROC): 520 lbs (≈ 236 kg) under standard rating — i.e. the weight it can safely lift in a stable configuration.
- Tipping load: around 1,600 lbs (≈ 726 kg) — load at which the loader will begin to tip backward.
- Hydraulic system: pump delivers about 11.5 GPM (≈ 43.5 L/min), relief pressure ~ 2,700–2,900 psi.
- Travel speed: ~ 3.5 mph (≈ 5.6 km/h) forward.
- Compact dimensions — width ~ 35.6 in (≈ 0.9 m), making it very suitable for narrow spaces.
Design Intent and Historical Context
In the early 2000s, many job sites — especially urban, residential, landscaping or light-commercial — needed compact, highly maneuverable equipment. Full-size skid steers or tracked loaders were too bulky, and hand labor or manual wheelbarrows were too slow or inefficient. The MT52 was Bobcat’s answer: a small tracked loader that could carry out many of the tasks of a larger machine but fit in small yards, narrow alleys, or tight clearances.
The choice of a small, efficient 20 hp diesel Kubota engine underscores the intention: reliability, fuel efficiency, and enough power for light-to-medium tasks without excessive fuel consumption or weight. As such, the MT52 occupied a niche between handheld machinery and full-size loaders.
Real-World Use and Owner Experience
Users who’ve operated the MT52 often note its strengths — but also its limitations. In one owner’s words, when working on slopes or uneven terrain, the MT52 “worked great… the narrow tracks still gave good traction” even when the ground was loose or wet. The compact size made navigating tight areas easy, and changing attachments was straightforward thanks to a universal mount system.
On the other hand, some operators found drawbacks: for example, using a 4-in-1 bucket attachment — useful for grabbing debris or logs — the hydraulic lines began leaking after only 15 minutes of work under load, which forced them to stop. Others trying to trench even 2-ft deep in rocky soil reported that the chain trencher attachment would “bind up,” making the job inefficient.
These real-world issues highlight a general trade-off: the MT52 is useful in tight spaces and for light tasks — but it may struggle with heavy digging, rocky soil, or extended high-stress use.
Maintenance and Common Problems
Because the MT52 is compact and light, maintenance is critical for reliable performance. Proper hydraulic fluid changes, track inspection, and timely servicing of engine components (filters, belts, oil) are especially important. According to the official maintenance chart, genuine replacement parts (filters, belts, hydraulic fluid, etc.) are recommended to meet Bobcat’s specifications.
One recurring complaint from owners is hydraulic leaks — especially when attachments demand extra force or are used continuously. Such leaks not only reduce performance but pose safety risks.
Because the loader is lightweight, overloading beyond rated capacity or using heavy attachments can lead to instability or mechanical failure. It’s essential never to exceed the stated rated operating capacity (520 lb), and to ensure loads are carried low and balanced.
Suitability and What MT52 Is Good For
Given its size and capabilities, MT52 is best suited for:
- Landscaping, yard work, or small-scale earthmoving
- Light material handling on small jobsites
- Work in confined spaces (alleys, narrow passages, between structures)
- Sites where minimal ground pressure (thanks to tracks) is desired to avoid damaging soft ground
Lessons from Owners — Stories and Recommendations
One user working in a densely wooded area tried using the MT52 with a grapple bucket to remove thick logs and brush. They found the loader handled 24–30-inch logs reasonably well, but when hydraulics were pushed hard for extended periods, leaks started appearing — forcing early shutdown. After that, they switched to lighter, smaller loads and limited continuous work hours, which improved reliability.
In another case, someone tried to trench two feet deep using a chain-trencher attachment. The machine exhibited binding issues repeatedly — likely due to hydraulic flow limitations and the narrow undercarriage — and the job was abandoned after several attempts. These real-world experiences illustrate that while the MT52 is versatile, operators must calibrate expectations according to its size and design.
What Succeded It and Legacy
The MT52 is no longer produced — Bobcat discontinued it after 2007. Its niche, however, continues to be filled by newer compact track loaders and mini skid-steers, some with better hydraulic flow, improved attachments, and larger rated capacities. The legacy of the MT52 lies in demonstrating that even a sub-3,000 lb loader could be useful, manageable, and cost-effective for light jobs in tight spaces.
Today, many used MT52 units remain in circulation — often bought second-hand by landscapers, small contractors, or hobbyists who need a compact machine for occasional use but don’t require heavy-duty performance.
Conclusion
The Bobcat MT52 is a good example of compact design meeting specific user needs: small size, light weight, adequate lift capacity, and versatility for light-duty tasks in restricted spaces. Its strengths are clear when used within its intended scope — landscaping, small-scale material handling, or light site work. But pushing beyond that scope — heavy digging, deep trenching, long periods under high hydraulic load — exposes its limitations in power, breakout force, and hydraulic robustness.
For anyone considering an MT52 (used), the best approach is to match the tasks to what it was designed for, maintain it diligently, use quality parts and fluids, and avoid overloading or continuous heavy-duty use. If you follow these principles, even an older MT52 can perform reliably for years — a small machine that accomplishes big utility in its own niche.
