What is Bobcat Machine IQ? Your questions answered!

Make the most of your working hours – and better understand the health and security of your machine – with telematics that keeps you connected. To get you started, with the help of Bobcat, we put together this handy FAQ on our Bobcat Machine IQ.

What is Bobcat Machine IQ?

Bobcat Machine IQ is a digital telematics system that helps Bobcat equipment owners access machine info in real time from any location or device. Available for skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and mini excavators, Machine IQ lets you easily check the health, maintenance, security and performance of each connected machine at any time. You can discover unplanned maintenance issues and craft a planned maintenance program tailored to how you use your equipment. You can also analyze the efficiency – and even possible misuse – of your fleet by operators. Before Machine IQ, equipment owners simply guessed when to go into the shop. Service was reactive rather than proactive. With Machine IQ, you always have a pulse on your machine’s security and health.  

How do I access information from Machine IQ?

You can access Machine IQ data through the Bobcat Owner Portal, an online hub for Bobcat equipment owners. The Owner Portal helps owners tap into the full potential of their machine and all things Bobcat: new products, apps and more. You’ll be able to monitor all your machines, create custom names for each and click into each machine’s specific profile. 

The Owner Portal ties your machines to an account rather than a specific user. This allows you to create one company account and grant access to specific users. That way you're always in full control over who has access to your equipment data.

How do I create a Machine IQ account?

There are two ways: 

1. Option one is through Crownstone Equipment. We'll create your account and then populate all of your machines into the Machine IQ system for you. All you have to do is finish the account setup process once we send you the invitation. 
2. Option two is to visit my.bobcat.com and do all of the front-end work on your own, and then reach out to us to populate all of your machines into the account.

What’s included in each Machine IQ account package option?

We have two account package options: 

1. Basic Machine IQ.  This package provides you with standard machine information, including GPS location and location history, maintenance interval hours and fuel level, as well as the ability to customize the “names” of the machines associated with your account. 
2. Machine IQ Health & Security.  This package includes all of the features in the Basic package plus additional premium data points: maintenance email alerts, geofence and curfew security notifications, fault code notifications and troubleshooting, idle time vs. working time reports, fuel usage reports and in-portal notification management. 

Once we've added your machines to your account, you can manage your package subscription yourself. If you start off with the Basic package and want to upgrade to the Health & Security package, you can do that the Owner Portal under Assets > Manage Subscriptions. 

What models have Machine IQ already installed? 

Skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and mini excavators built after January 2019 already have the hardware installed on the machine.  All you have to do is add the package right for you!  

What if I have an older model machine, can I add Machine IQ? 

No need to worry, with a retrofit kit installed by Crownstone Equipment, we can have your skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and mini excavators for your entire fleet operating with Machine IQ.  

Ready to maximize your equipment investment? With Bobcat Machine IQ, fleet management has never been easier. Watch this video to learn even more about Bobcat Machine IQ straight from Bobcat experts or fill out a lead form to have someone from Crownstone Equipment reach out to answer your questions.