Bobcat CARB Compliance Rules, Sourced for California Fleets
Bobcat CARB compliance follows the fleet, not the model: CARB totals your horsepower, then sets which engine tiers you can add.
Table of Contents
CARB does not approve a Bobcat as compliant; it regulates the fleet that owns or operates it. Any self-propelled diesel machine of 25 horsepower or more used in California must be reported, labeled with an Equipment Identification Number, and counted toward fleet size. Your engine’s tier sets your options: since January 1, 2024, medium and large fleets may add only Tier 4 Final engines, which excludes interim Tier 4 Bobcats. Removing a DPF is federal tampering.
One to three machines: sections 1, 2, 4. Buying used: 3, 6. Fleet manager: 2, 4, 7.
Bobcat CARB compliance starts with your engine’s tier
California regulates the fleet and reads your options from each engine’s tier, not its model name.
Does CARB apply to my Bobcat?
| Requirement | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Every diesel machine of 25 hp or more used in California, rented or leased included, goes into CARB’s DOORS reporting system | CARB regulation page |
| Label | Each machine carries an Equipment Identification Number (EIN) label on both sides | CARB booklet |
| Limit | Engine tier decides what you may add and when older tiers must leave | CARB notice |
| Affirm | The fleet files its annual ROAR form by March 1 | CARB regulation page |
📜 The Rule: CARB’s In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (13 CCR § 2449) covers self-propelled off-road diesel vehicles of 25 hp or more used in California, rented or leased included. Verified October 8, 2026 on CARB’s off-road regulation page.
Which Bobcat questions this page does not answer
If a Tier 4 machine is throwing codes now, the guide to which Bobcat fault codes actually stop work sorts them by shutdown flag. This page covers California fleet duties only.
✅ Do This: Have a compliance consultant confirm your fleet’s status; this page is no compliance verdict.
ℹ️ Safety Note: Exhaust parts stay hot after regeneration, and raised lift arms can drop on anyone beside the engine. Read engine information only with arms lowered and the engine off and cool.
Which engine tiers a California fleet can add
CARB sizes a fleet by total off-road diesel horsepower under common ownership or control.
How CARB sizes your fleet in horsepower
| 74 hp Bobcat loaders owned | Total hp | CARB fleet size |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 222 | Ultra-small |
| 7 | 518 | Small |
| 33 | 2,442 | Small |
| 34 | 2,516 | Medium |
Bands, per CARB’s notice of July 21, 2025: ultra-small up to 500 hp, small up to 2,500, medium 2,501 to 5,000, large over 5,000. CARB’s booklet prints small as “less than 2,500,” so a fleet at exactly 2,500 hp should check the regulation text. The 74 hp figure is Bobcat’s published rating for the S630, S650, T630 and T650 (600-frame launch release, Mar 24, 2014); enter your own engines’ horsepower, and confirm with CARB which rating DOORS requires.
Adding-vehicle rules by fleet size
| Fleet size | May add | Tier 4 Final required from |
|---|---|---|
| Medium, large | Tier 4 Final only | January 1, 2024 |
| Small | Tier 4 interim or cleaner | January 1, 2028 |
| Ultra-small | Tier 4 interim or cleaner | 2035 |
Medium, large and small rows: CARB booklet, Nov. 17, 2025. Ultra-small row: CARB brochure, rev. Dec. 2025; the booklet doesn’t list ultra-small fleets. CARB began enforcing the adding-vehicle requirement January 11, 2025.
A fleet may keep operating lower-tier machines it already owns until their phase-out date.
Phase-out dates that hit older engines
| Jan 1 of | Large | Medium | Small | Ultra-small |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tier 1 | Tier 0 | — | — |
| 2028 | Tier 2 | Tier 1 | Tier 0 | Tier 0 |
| 2030 | — | Tier 2 | Tier 1 | Tier 1 |
| 2032 | — | — | Tier 2 | — |
| 2036 | — | — | — | Tier 2 |
Source: Table 2 of CARB’s July 2025 enforcement notice.
📜 The Rule: CARB said it would consider enforcement discretion on phase-out, low-use and contracting requirements “until at least October 21, 2025.” No later advisory appeared on CARB’s regulation page as of October 8, 2026.
✅ Do This: Ask a compliance consultant to confirm your fleet category and phase-out dates.
How to tell your Bobcat’s tier and aftertreatment
A Bobcat’s model name does not tell you its engine tier or aftertreatment, so identify the engine family first.
Same model name, different engines
The T750 and T770 names appear on a 3.4 L no-DPF build and on earlier interim Tier 4 builds our regen guide documents with a DPF. Tier follows the engine, so confirm which engine your serial number carries.
Four aftertreatment families on Bobcat loaders
| Family | Applies To | Aftertreatment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULPC (ultra-low particulate combustion, a combustion-chamber design), no DPF | S510, S530, S550, S570, S590, T550, T590 (500 frame); S630, S650, T630, T650 (600 frame, 74 hp) | Tier 4 Final, no DPF | 500-frame launch, Nov 22, 2013; 600-frame launch, Mar 24, 2014 |
| DOC only (diesel oxidation catalyst, a catalyst, not a filter) | S740 (under 75 hp) | DOC; no DPF, SCR or DEF | S740 launch, Jun 26, 2015 |
| SCR (selective catalytic reduction) with DEF (diesel exhaust fluid), no DPF | S750, S770, S850, T750, T770, T870, A770 (3.4 L, 85 to 100 hp) | DOC plus SCR; no DPF | 3.4 L loader launch, Oct 19, 2015; T770: T770 report, Dec 18, 2015 |
| Interim Tier 4, DPF | Kubota-engine loaders; T750 and T770 documented | DPF | Our regen-frequency guide (owner reports); confirm in the O&M manual |
Sources are trade-press reports of Bobcat’s announcements, not Bobcat-hosted pages. The examples are not a complete lineup, and “no DPF” still leaves a DOC or SCR on two families.
Where to confirm for your serial number
Confirm tier and aftertreatment in the Bobcat Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manual for your serial number, never from the model name.
⚠️ Hazard: Exhaust parts stay hot and raised lift arms can fall. A Bobcat dealer technician should read the engine label with arms lowered and the engine off and cool.
What California makes Bobcat fleets report and label
Most fleet duties run on a 30-day or annual clock.
DOORS reporting, EIN labels and the March 1 ROAR
| Duty | Clock | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Report machines | 30 days | New owners report vehicle and engine information within 30 days of purchase or bringing a machine into California; sold and retired machines also within 30 days |
| Label with EIN | 30 days | After you report, CARB assigns the EIN; label each machine on both sides within 30 days of receiving it; CARB doesn’t issue labels |
| File the ROAR | March 1 | Annual Responsible Official Affirmation of Reporting, filed in DOORS |
| Hiring a fleet | Before award | Prime contractors and public works bodies need a valid Certificate of Reported Compliance for the fleet |
Source: CARB’s off-road compliance booklet, Nov. 17, 2025.
Renewable diesel and the 5-minute idle limit
| Duty | Detail |
|---|---|
| Renewable diesel | R99 or R100 in covered vehicles operating in California; limited exceptions such as availability and cold weather; procurement records kept three years; annual affirmation |
| Idling | Unnecessary idling limited to five minutes; exceptions for work, servicing and queues; medium and large fleets need a written policy |
Source: same booklet and CARB’s brochure, rev. Dec. 2025.
📜 The Rule: 13 CCR § 2449, as summarized by CARB in documents dated Nov. 2025 and Dec. 2025. Verified October 8, 2026.
✅ Do This: Ask a compliance consultant to confirm your reporting status and fuel records before March 1.
What a DPF delete costs under federal and CARB rules
The federal tampering rule prices a delete per engine.
The federal tampering rule
Is a DPF delete legal on construction equipment? No. Removing or rendering inoperative a certified emission control, such as a DPF, is tampering under 40 CFR 1068.101(b)(1).
| Provision | What it bars | Maximum civil penalty |
|---|---|---|
| (b)(1) Tampering | Removing or rendering inoperative a certified emission control; exceptions are repair that restores function and temporary emergency changes restored as soon as possible | $4,454 per engine or piece of equipment; $44,539 for manufacturers and dealers |
| (b)(2) Defeat devices | Making, selling or installing a part that bypasses or disables emission controls | $4,454 per component |
| (b)(7) Label | Removing or altering the emission control information label counts as tampering | Same as (b)(1) |
Applies to certified nonroad engines. Source: the federal tampering rule (eCFR), current to October 6, 2026; amounts as printed there.
📜 The Rule: 40 CFR § 1068.101 applies in every state. The eCFR says its amounts may be adjusted under 40 CFR part 19.
What CARB has settled for
CARB’s published off-road fleet settlements are reporting and labeling cases, not tampering:
| Respondent | Amount | Violation | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneso Brothers Construction | $1,125 | Not registering vehicles in DOORS by the August 1, 2009 small-fleet deadline (pre-2022 rule) | June 12, 2012 |
| Schlumberger Lift Solutions | $2,625 ($125 per unit) | Not reporting and labeling within 30 days of acquisition | Not stated |
| Viramontes Express | $16,000 total | Missed annual ROAR ($1,000 per off-road unit); five on-road vehicles also cited | Not stated |
Source: CARB settlement pages for each respondent, checked October 8, 2026.
✅ Do This: Ask a compliance attorney about your exposure; for repeat regeneration alerts, ask a Bobcat dealer.
Buying or selling a used Bobcat in California
A “CARB compliant” listing cannot tell you the engine’s tier or whether your fleet may add the machine.
Why a “CARB compliant” listing proves nothing
Ask which tier and aftertreatment family the engine carries.
Seller disclosure and the 30-day clocks
| Who | Duty | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Seller (dealer, or contractor selling one machine) | Regulation’s disclosure on the bill of sale or invoice; keep proof | Proof kept three years |
| Seller | Report the sale to CARB | 30 days |
| Buyer who becomes a California fleet owner | Report the machine | 30 days from purchase or arrival |
Source: CARB booklet, Nov. 17, 2025, verified October 8, 2026. The booklet points to the regulation for the exact disclosure wording; copy that text, not a summary.
🗺️ State Check: California’s duties follow the machine in, including out-of-state and auction buys; the federal tampering rule applies everywhere. Check the seller’s state rules before buying there.
Pre-purchase checks
- Tier and aftertreatment family from the O&M manual (section 3).
- Fleet size allows adding that tier (section 2).
- Read the codes before you pay, matching invoices to the code timeline.
- Technician’s check for removed or disabled components.
- Disclosure on the bill of sale; 30-day report.
🧮 Run the Numbers: Once tier is confirmed, price it with the Used Equipment Hour-Value Estimator: model, year, hours.
✅ Do This: Have a Bobcat dealer technician or equipment appraiser verify tier and stored codes, and an attorney review contract terms. This is no compliance verdict.
What to do with a Bobcat on the phase-out list
When a tier reaches its phase-out date, CARB gives a fleet three exits.
Retire, sell or designate low-use
| Exit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Retire | Report the retirement within 30 days |
| Sell | Report the sale within 30 days |
| Permanent low-use | Under 600 hours over three consecutive years, with dated photos and written logs; hour-meter readings reported at each annual reporting date |
| Delay | One zero-emission vehicle added can delay one Tier 1 or Tier 2 phase-out two years if conditions are met; ZETA extends deadlines for fleets committed to zero-emission technology |
Source: CARB’s July 2025 notice, booklet and brochure. CARB also requires records of any hour-meter replacement or alteration.
Grants that cover the cleaner-engine difference
| Program | What the booklet says |
|---|---|
| Carl Moyer grant program | Funds the extra cost of cleaner-than-required engines and equipment; run by CARB and 35 local air districts |
| FARMER | Funds cleaner agricultural equipment; administered through local air districts |
| CORE vouchers | Offsets the extra cost of advanced-technology equipment |
Source: CARB booklet, Nov. 17, 2025.
🗺️ State Check: Funding is California-only. Look up your air district’s Carl Moyer page for eligibility and application windows; no award is promised here.
🧮 Run the Numbers: Run owning against renting with the Owning vs. Renting Breakeven Calculator: replacement quote, annual hours.
✅ Do This: Ask an equipment appraiser or financing specialist whether replacing, selling or re-designating fits your fleet.
Bobcat CARB compliance questions, answered
1. Do Bobcat skid steers need CARB compliance in California?
Bobcat CARB compliance applies to diesel machines of 25 horsepower or more used in California; CARB regulates the fleet that owns them.
2. Can the model name tell me my Bobcat’s tier?
No. Bobcat reused names like T750 and T770 across engines with different aftertreatment, so tier follows the engine. Confirm in your O&M manual.
3. Can a medium fleet add an interim Tier 4 Bobcat?
No. Since January 1, 2024, medium and large fleets may add only Tier 4 Final engines, excluding interim Tier 4 Bobcats. Confirm your fleet size.
4. Can a small fleet add an interim Tier 4 Bobcat?
Yes, a small fleet may add interim Tier 4 Bobcat engines until January 1, 2028; then only Tier 4 Final or cleaner. Confirm your category.
5. How is fleet size counted for Bobcat CARB compliance?
CARB adds all off-road diesel horsepower under common ownership or control; 2,501 to 5,000 hp makes a medium fleet.
6. What is an EIN label?
An EIN label shows the Equipment Identification Number CARB assigns after you report a machine; apply it within 30 days, one per side.
7. Does California require renewable diesel in Bobcats?
Yes: fleets must use R99 or R100 renewable diesel in covered vehicles in California, with limited exceptions, keeping procurement records three years.
8. What must I do when I sell a Bobcat in California?
Selling a Bobcat means putting the regulation’s disclosure on the bill of sale or invoice, keeping proof three years, reporting the sale within 30 days.
9. Is a Bobcat DPF delete legal?
No. A DPF delete is tampering under 40 CFR 1068.101, with penalties up to $4,454 per engine for anyone but manufacturers and dealers. Ask a Bobcat dealer about service regeneration.
10. What has CARB collected for off-road reporting violations?
Published settlements include $125 per unit for late reporting and labeling, $1,000 per off-road unit for a missed ROAR, and $1,125 for unregistered vehicles. Ask a consultant what applies.
Your next step
You are likely sizing a fleet or vetting one machine. Codes on the panel: use the fault-code guide from section 1. Read the tier from your serial number’s O&M manual, then rerun the section 2 table with your horsepower. For a phase-out machine, run owning against renting with your quote and hours. A Bobcat dealer technician confirms tier; a compliance consultant confirms fleet status.
