Bobcat might be the first name in skid-steers, but it’s yet to find the same success on the telehandler scene.

That’s gradually changing, with the Czech-based manufacturer focused on growing its four-wheel-steer offering that currently encompasses eight models.

Most of these occupy the middle ground as far as performance is concerned, topped and tailed by the 7.5m/4.3t TL43.80 HF and 5.91m/2.5t TL25.60.

See also: On test: Bobcat’s revamped TL43.80HF telehandler

Second biggest is the TL38.70 HF – the latter acronym highlighting its 190 litres/min hydraulic system – and it was this that ticked the box for Adam Symonds, who runs 300 cattle on 260ha of tenanted organic land in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

His machine has clocked 600 hours since its delivery last November, primarily tasked with feeding, mucking out and shifting bales alongside a loader-equipped John Deere 6130M and a 6155R.

Adam Symonds © MAG/Oliver Mark

Why a Bobcat TL38.70 HF?

I was fairly open-minded when it came to the options, as it was going to be our first telehandler in 18 years at this farm.

Prior to that, we’d managed with a tractor loader, but the business had grown and we really wanted to speed up the daily jobs.

Despite putting in a few calls, we only ended up getting the Bobcat and a Kramer on demo.

They were a similar price – about £90,000 – but our Bobcat dealer, TVE at Abingdon, threw in a five-year warranty, which sweetened the deal.

As well as the protection while we own it, it should add a bit of value when we sell on in a couple of years.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

What extras did you opt for?

TVE had this one in stock, which I liked. I hate waiting for machines to be delivered and the deal was simple – unlike tractors, where you have to paw through a million and one options.

It’s the top-spec 4 Star version, so it’s got everything we need and, to be honest, plenty of things we don’t use.

The best are the rear camera, as much for safety round the yard as anything, and an automatic fan reverse, which I have set to run every 30mins.

I also like the bucket shake function and the integration of radio/Bluetooth controls in the touchscreen.

There are loads of other features that might be useful to other people, such as the hand throttle for constant engine revs, a small cool box behind the seat, and the ability to set minimum and maximum boom positions.

The one thing I’d like Bobcat to offer on our next machine is an engine start/stop system.

According to the computer, one-third of our clock hours are spent idling, which is a waste of fuel and adds unnecessary depreciation.

That said, it is good on diesel – I can spend 10 hours loading trailers and only use half a tank, which must work out at about 5 litres/hour.

How has it performed?

The view from the seat is fantastic. I can see the back wheels almost wherever the boom is, in part because of the curved rear window, and having glass in the lower section of the door is handy in tight sheds.

The LED lights are also great.

The only thing I’d change is the grab handle on the A-pillar.

It’s far too near the frame so could be a real finger cruncher if a gust of wind catches the door and swings it closed at the wrong time. I’ve had a couple of near misses.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

My other gripes are petty – the interior light doesn’t turn on and off with the door latch, and the steering column could be easier to swing upwards.

A sprung mechanism like you get on John Deere tractors would be better.

As for performance, the highlight is the hydraulics. It’s got a massive pump, so the rams move quickly and there’s plenty of oil for our new Cashels Engineering bale shear – which itself has transformed the job of opening bales. I can do 24 in little more than 30mins.

I’ve also been impressed with its traction in the field. Our heavy clay ground can be testing, but the Bobcat has loads of pushing power and the Alliance agri-industrial tyres grip well. We’ve found 135hp more than ample.

Though we looked at smaller machines, this one has so much more stability when stacking heavy bales and loading the muckspreader.