Page 82 • May 11, 2022 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Attachments Section • Construction Equipment Guide
Lifelong Farmer Finds New Gear in Semi-Retirement America, 1898: The city of Greater, N.Y., hold out,” he said. “But now, I just set some- (home of the Bobcat loader), Bjork knows a was created; the World’s Fair opened in thing on a pallet and use the Bobcat loader to lot of the local factory workers, engineers Omaha; the Spanish-American war was put it in my pickup.” and salespeople. One of his childhood fought and finished; and the Bjork Family Not only does MaxControl remote opera- friends became a prototype engineer with Farm was established near Dunbar tion save his back, it also speeds up daily Bobcat Company and invited Bjork to test Township, N.D. chores without compromising safety. He drive new models before they were available Four generations later, Brian Bjork carries stands to the side to keep an eye on things — to the public. out his family legacy on that same farm- whether pushing a trailer into his barn, lifting “After I tried the newer machines, I never stead. looked back,” Bjork said. “I never changed my address He purchased a high-flow until we built a new house a few S185 skid steer loader just in years ago,” Brian said. “Even time for snow removal season then, our mailbox only moved and to revel in the luxury of a about a foot.” heated cab. He upgraded to a Bjork built a new house across Bobcat S650 skid steer loader the street, and his daughter and her five years later to get more lifting family moved into his childhood power. It wasn’t until the home. As his siblings peeled off MaxControl remote operation one by one to become doctors and came out that he decided it was lawyers, he stayed put doing what time to upgrade again. he loves most. “The technology on the S76 “I grew up on the farm, and loader is so awesome with the that’s all I wanted to do,” he said. ride control, speed management, Now in his 60s, Bjork considers automatic throttle and more,” himself “semi-retired” still activeBjork said. “Also, when I climb ly farming 575 acres of corn and in the cab, the Bluetooth consoybeans. He has scaled back Brian Bjork remotely drove his Bobcat S76 skid steer loader nects to my XM radio on my from 1,400 acres but isn’t quite equipped with MaxControl remote operation through the phone and automatically starts ready to give up his passion, even Gwinner Fun Days parade from inside the dealership pick- playing classic rock. My wife as tasks become harder on him up, following his unmanned machine. calls me a leftover hippie.” than before. Bjork’s go-to artist of choice: His secret: a Bobcat S76 skid steer loader a heavy load or whatever else needs done — Lynyrd Skynyrd. equipped with MaxControl remote opera- while effectively controlling the loader and Bells and whistles aside, Bjork’s skid steer tion. boom functions from his phone. loader is an important tool in his arsenal. “It’s almost like having a hired man,” said “Now that I have the MaxControl system, “My Bobcat loader is an essential part of Bjork. “Since I farm by myself, it’s key for I wouldn’t be without it,” he said. my daily farming operation,” he said. “I lifting heavy stuff up off the ground. Without wouldn’t be without one — it’s like an it, I’d probably have bruised knuckles from Inside Scoop extension of my own arm.” trying to use a handyman jack.” Bjork grew up operating his family’s M444 Bobcat loader. Yet, he didn’t get a Hometown Hero Gaining Different Kind of Control Bobcat loader for himself until 2003. In addition to having access to the newest Bjork finds new uses for the Bobcat “The M444 was better than a scoop shov- innovations, Bjork has enjoyed other beneMaxControl remote operation system every el, but otherwise, I figured I had a tractor fits to living in the heart of where Bobcat week. Especially as he starts to slowly sell with a loader, so I didn’t need another one,” machines are made. Around that part of off extra farming equipment and supplies, he said. North Dakota, farmers and contractors are being able to safely operate his loader from An insider quickly convinced him other- extremely brand loyal and equally excited to outside the cab is a game-changer. wise. learn what’s new from Bobcat. He has lent “I used to grab onto whatever I was loadLiving less than 10 mi. from Bobcat out his S76 loader to his friend and local ing and grunt and hope that my back would Company’s Gwinner factory complex dealer for demo events, so others can expe-
Bells and whistles aside, Brian Bjork’s skid-steer loader is an important tool in his arsenal.
rience MaxControl remote operation. One of those events took place the night before the annual Gwinner Fun Days celebration. Bjork offered to leave his loader at the dealership overnight and put it in the parade the following day. “They got a sparkle in their eye at that suggestion,” said Bjork. He then remotely drove his skid steer loader through the parade from inside the dealership pickup, following his unmanned machine. “People along the street would wave and then see there was no one in the cab. You could see the realization on their face … it was pretty cool,” he said. From childhood to semi-retirement, Bobcat has always played a key role in Bjork’s day-to-day life. And it’s a culmination of all those experiences — from farm chores to family and friends — that has made him a true believer in the brand. “Bobcat has been building these machines for more than 60 years, and they are bulletproof,” Bjork said. “The design and engineering that go into each new model is a collaboration of tried-and-true stuff. The handiest thing a farmer can have is a Bobcat machine.” For more information, visit bobcatofgwinner.com.
Multiple Jobs, Numerous Models, One Machine From blowing snow and leveling gravel, to moving hay bales and removing fence posts, Brian Bjork uses his S76 loader as a do-it-all machine — due to his more than 10 attachments. He has collected them all after years of upgrading machine models. Bjork’s Collection of Bobcat Attachments: • dozer blade • root grapple • tiller • auger • tree spade • pallet forks • snow blower • general purpose bucket • rock bucket • bale fork
