There is a reason the Bobcat E85 sits at the top of Bobcat's mini excavator lineup. At roughly 19,000 lbs, it is the largest machine in Bobcat's compact excavator class, and it handles work that a smaller unit simply cannot do efficiently: 18-foot-deep utility trenches, tight-site commercial foundation work, concrete breaking with a mid-size hydraulic breaker, and grading on residential lots where a full-size machine cannot maneuver. The E85 is the machine that wins contracts a 35 Series cannot take on.
Financing an E85 through us is a straightforward process. These machines price in the $90k to $140k range depending on year and attachment configuration. We handle application-only financing up to about $400k, which means most E85 deals close without tax returns or financial statements. Get us a credit application, the machine price, and three months of bank statements, and we typically have a decision back within 24 hours. Bobcat equipment moves well in secondary markets, which helps on the collateral side for used units.
E85 Specs: Why Contractors Choose It
The E85 runs Bobcat's next-generation cab layout with a standard rear camera, a seven-inch color display, and 270-degree upper-structure swing that keeps the tail within the track width on most configurations. Dig depth runs around 14.5 feet on standard stick, arm digging force comes in near 13,000 lbs-force, and the machine fits through a standard single-gate opening in its transport configuration. That last point matters on residential subdivision jobs where access is tight and a larger machine cannot get to the work.
For underground and sewer contractors, the E85 excels at service line work, lateral connections, and tight urban trenching where a full-size excavator would shut down traffic for a block. Landscaping and hardscape contractors run it for pool excavation, retaining wall footings, and large-format demo work. The hydraulic auxiliary circuit supports a hydraulic breaker in the 900 to 1,200 lbs class, which covers most commercial concrete breaking applications without a separate flow line kit.
Unlike some competitors in the compact class, the E85 uses a cab-boom design that gives the operator better forward sightlines to the bucket. That reduces cycle time on precision dig work and makes operators faster, which matters when the job is billing by the hour or the unit, not by the day.
Who Uses E85 Financing
The E85 buyer pool is wide. Owner-operators buying their first large compact excavator, contractors adding a second machine to cover simultaneous jobs, and established mid-size firms upgrading from an older Bobcat or competitive unit all land on this machine. The common thread is a job that needs the largest compact excavator available without going to a full-size 20-ton machine.
For residential site builders in high-density urban markets, the E85 solves the access problem that prevents full-size excavators from working small infill lots. For landscaping and hardscape contractors who are growing their commercial project portfolio, it represents the transition from property-maintenance work to structural excavation and site preparation. We have financed E85s for both first-time buyers and experienced operators, and the underwriting approach adjusts based on the business history and credit profile each brings to the table.
Timeline from Application to Keys
A clean E85 deal runs like this: you submit the one-page application, the machine invoice or quote, and your last three bank statements. We review and match the file to the best lender from our network. Approval comes back, usually within one business day for application-only files. You sign the docs digitally. Funds go to the dealer or seller within a few days of signing. Start to funded is about one to two weeks in most cases, sometimes faster when the file is clean and the seller is set up to receive a wire.
Deals that move slower usually have a document collection issue, not an approval issue. If we ask for something additional, providing it quickly keeps the timeline on track. On used private-party E85 purchases, the title transfer process sometimes adds a few days depending on the state. That is worth knowing before you commit to a close date with the seller. Private-party excavator financing works the same as dealer financing from our side; the seller just receives the wire directly.
Other Compact Equipment Options to Consider
If the E85 is slightly more machine than the job requires, the Bobcat E35 is a well-supported compact option for lighter utility and landscaping work. For contractors who also need a tracked loading machine on the same job site, a Bobcat T770 compact track loader can be financed as a separate transaction or bundled into a fleet package at the same time as the E85. Combining machines into a single transaction sometimes improves the overall deal structure by spreading fixed closing costs across a larger financed amount.
Contractors expanding into mid-size work should also evaluate the compact excavator financing options we offer across the full brand spectrum. Takeuchi, Kubota, DEVELON, and Yanmar all have machines in the 8 to 10 metric ton class that compete with the E85. If brand loyalty is not a deciding factor, we can structure financing across any of those makes through the same process.
Apply for E85 Financing Today
Get a machine quote in your inbox. Submit your application and documents and we will match you to the right lender in our network and get an answer back fast. Most applications are decided within one business day.
