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Yankee Harley-Davidson's "HogCat" started life as a 50 Series BobCat Model 753. It is powered by a 134 cubic inch, 43.5 HP, 4-cylinder, liquid cooled, diesel engine that produces gobs of torque. (Yes, we can get the rear wheels up off the ground!) The "HogCat" can lift/carry 1,300 lbs., has a maximum travel speed of 7 MPH (forward or reverse), has a 35.5 inch wheelbase, rolls on 15 inch wheels, weighs approximately 4,800 lbs., and is steered via dual levers. Unfortunately we weren't able to find any "Screamin Eagle" performance parts in the Harley catalog that fit the "HogCat" but we did end up with what we've elected to call our "Squealing Pig" air cleaner and free flowing chrome exhaust system with a slash cut turned out tip.
The uses of Yankee Harley-Davidson's versatile "HogCat" at the dealership are many. First and foremost the "HogCat" is used to off load crated motorcycles from the Motor Company's tractor trailers which deliver the bikes to Yankee from both of Harley-Davidson's two assembly plants (York, PA and Kansas City, MO). We also use it to; move and stack crated motorcycles, off load palletized merchandise including lubricants, plow snow in our parking lot, or, via the addition of a specialized attachment which is mounted on the "HogCat" in place of the extra long forks, it's used to spread a salt/sand mixture on our parking following snow falls.
The conversion from BobCat to "HogCat" entailed a full repainting of the machine to Harley orange and black (which was completed by Artie George, owner of Artie's Auto Body, Inc. in Wolcott, CT) and the designing and application of appropriate signage (was done by Mike Alsdorf, owner of Sign Technologies, also located in Wolcott, CT). The idea of the "HogCat" was conceived by "Harley" Bob LaRoche, and the various suppliers' efforts to accomplish the conversion were coordinated by Daniel "Mo" Gaudiosi, one of Yankee H-D's PHD Certified Technicians. |
