Hometown News and Views

By Phyllis J. Neuberger
Pelican staff
Pompano Beach - Toby Smith is knowledgeable, articulate and clearly very enthusiastic about his own business. He says, “When you buy a Bobcat  you can be your own boss.” He explains his claim. “With its hundreds of attachments  a Bobcat Skid Steer Loader can turn a person into an excavating contractor, a plumber, an electrician, landscaper, tree farmer, demolition contractor and much more.”
The manager and part owner of Bobcat of Broward, located at 1108 Hammondville Road in Pompano Beach, says “I’ve known some of our customers since I was 12 years old. My dad, Donald Smith, bought a Bobcat dealership in Palm Beach in 1978. That dealership, Smith Brothers Contracting Equipment, Inc. is now known to the public as Bobcat of Broward and Bobcat of Palm Beach.  We’re still family owned and run by my mother Lucy Smith, brother Simon Smith and me.  We’ve grown into two very large, Bobcat super stores where customers can buy, sell, rent equipment and parts, large and small. And we service that equipment.
He continues. “Thousands of Bobcats are in use in Broward and Palm Beach Counties by our local governments, industry and private contractors.”
Bobcat of Broward offers its clients a showroom which is a treasure of parts and needs such as tires, engines, attachments and small engine parts for lawn and garden tools and behind the retail front is  a huge yard filled with large excavating equipment to buy new or used or to rent.”
“We are known for our anchor product,  Bobcat skid-steer loader which was invented in 1958.  With its home base in North Dakota, the Bobcat is the number one brand of compact equipment sold worldwide. Our huge yard in back offers many models plus an array of attachments.  We also carry Bob-Cat mowers which come with a two-year commercial or a five-year consumer warranty. There’s a lifetime warranty on pro decks.
 We stock Stihl power and hand tools from Germany. The Stihl chain saw is manufactured in Virginia. We have trimmers, hedgers, blowers,  Bandit tree chippers and stump grinders. In our large back yard we have loaders, excavators, and construction equipment to buy or rent.”
The large selection of tire options for heavy duty applications includes severe duty, super float, turf and sand up to 12-ply rating. “Our tires are ureathane filled,” says Toby.
He adds, “We do a big business on small engine parts for all major brands. Kawasaki Gas engines are the preferred 4-cycle power for your mower. They come with a two-year commercial warranty. Of course we are authorized to service them.
We  not only offer our customers rentals, repairs, and sales of new and used equipment, but we also buy used equipment, trucks, trailers and we accept trade-ins.”
Bobcat is the place for Doosan/Ingersoll Rand Air Compressors, generators and light towers.”
One of Toby’s favorite attachments is the Forest Cutter which he uses to clear land.
He describes it as “ a seven-foot wide stump grinder that practically eats whole trees. We have three for rent and they are always kept busy. There are hundreds of attachments and options available. Our top sellers are Pallet Forks, concrete/asphalt platers, hydraulic breaker, hammers, rock drilling augers and trenchers. They all run on Bobcat Diesel Engines.
The Pelican spoke with a few long time customers of Bobcat. They were too busy working their equipment for long conversations, but their satisfaction was clearly stated.  Mario Cocuzzo, Mario’s Bobcat & Son, said, “I’ve been doing business with Bobcat of Broward and Palm Beach for over 18 years. Their service is good. They’re always available when you need them. I’ve found them to be very much responsible people who deliver what’s promised.”
Edgar Goodrum owns a Bobcat S130. He’s been a customer for 15 years and says, “They’re good people and the only people I’ll deal with because I have found them to be both honest and fair.”
Open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop in or call 954-763-9880 or visit the web site at www.bobcatofbroward.com