A Farmer Walks Into a Machine Shop…

Compact loader creators inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Cyril and Louis Keller’s invention and contributions to the compact equipment industry are recognized at national level

It all began when a farmer stepped into the blacksmith and machine shop owned by two brothers.

And now, Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader), have been selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF). The NIHF annually recognizes inventors, promotes creativity and advances the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Farm-driven ideas

In the 1950s, brothers Cyril (1922-2020) and Louis (1923-2010) Keller operated a small machinist-blacksmith shop in western Minnesota together, building and repairing machinery for local farmers.

A turkey farmer, Eddie Velo, approached them with a need for a self-propelled loader light enough to be lifted to the second floor of his turkey barn and small enough to clean around the barn’s upright poles.

In 1957, the Kellers built a three-wheeled loader with two drive wheels in front and a caster wheel in the rear—the precursor to the modern skid-steer loader.

Powered by a 6 hp engine with a rope starter, it was steered by independent right and left control levers using a unique clutch mechanism.

The loader came to the attention of Melroe Manufacturing Company (now Bobcat Company), which invited the Kellers to demonstrate their invention in their booth at the Minnesota State Fair in 1958.

After a successful demonstration at the fair, the Melroe Manufacturing Company was awarded exclusive manufacturing rights to the machine on a royalty basis and hired the Keller brothers to refine the design and put the machine into production.

To improve on the design of the loader, a second set of drive wheels was added to the back of the loader in 1960. With this four-wheel drive, the M400 became the world’s first true skid-steer loader. “Skid-steer” describes the unique steering system, which enables the machine to turn within its own length.

Later, the Bobcat brand name was established because of the machine’s toughness, quickness and agility.

Bobcat becomes synonymous

Joe Keller, son of Louis, said, “The Bobcat loader has positively impacted the lives of thousands of employees who have worked for the company, dealers who sell the machines, and customers who use the equipment every day to build their livelihood. While we may not always realize its impact, it is an integral part of our everyday life—from supporting farm operations that result in food on our tables to hauling materials around a jobsite building our homes and offices.”

As Bobcat Company celebrates 65 years since the invention of the machine that created the compact equipment industry, it has continued to forge the future of the industry through innovation and forward-thinking.

“We are proud of our inventors’ spirit of innovation, and while we remain grounded in our humble roots, we continue to push the boundaries to offer customers increased choice, improved performance and advanced technology to work smarter,” said Mike Ballweber, president, Bobcat Company North America.

Bobcat now offers more than 100 products in the compact, grounds maintenance and industrial equipment industries, and produces more than 400 different types of attachments.

Inventive company

Other NIHF 2023 inductees include Rory Cooper, who invented wheelchair technology; Luis von Ahn, who co-created the website security program reCAPTCHA; Angela Hartley Brodie, who discovered and developed a class of drugs called Aromatase Inhibitors that stop the production of hormones that fuel the growth of cancer cells; and 14 other innovation pioneers.

Acknowledging the award on behalf of his father and uncle, Joe said, “This recognition is a great honor to dad and Cyril’s families, but it is not just for us. It is a recognition for all of the early and current Bobcat employees who have helped bring our little ‘Keller loader’ to be the Bobcat machine it is today. It has been a great honor to have had a front-row seat watching this invention revolutionize the way work gets done around the world.”
About Bobcat Company

Since 1958, Bobcat Company has grown to become a leading global manufacturer of compact equipment,

With a worldwide presence, Bobcat offers an extensive line of compact equipment, including loaders, excavators, compact tractors, utility products, telehandlers, mowers, attachments, implements, parts, and services.

Headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, Bobcat continues to lead the industry, all while helping people succeed and build stronger communities and a better tomorrow.

Learn more

Bobcat Company’s history—bobcat.com.

National Inventors Hall of Fame—invent.org