Obliviously both Cat and Bobcat have good and bad in regards to certain features.
Some general observations on my part. Feel free to comment.
Cat242D Vs Bobcat S590
Both Machines are Vertical lift – 2 Speed – Heat/AC
ENGINE
BOBCAT traverse mounted engine allows for easy access for maintenance. But has a belt to drive the unit that could wear ,break, stretch.
Vs CAT No belt to drive the unit but maintenance items may not be as handy. Looks like the oil filter in the 242D is going to be a bear to get to.
I watched a technician change it easily with a strap.
CAT has a one piece hydro/radiator but not stacked.
vs BOBCAT has two separate radiators. But are stacked on top of each other. If you develop issues with the Cat radiator the whole thing needs replaced. vs the BOBCAT, replace which ever one.(if this is issue)??
I don't see this as an issue, but I have seen dozens of bobcat radiators/coolers plugged and damaged because they are flimsy cooling fins and cleaning them is not an easy chore. Also, the Bobcat pulls air down through the coolers so any debris in the air gets pulled down along with gravity. The Cat radiator is beefier, has no exposed fins and any debris will have to go through the rear door and have to get pulled "up" against gravity". It can plug, but not as easily.
BOBCAT draws air in from the top and out thru the sides of the unit. Better cooling?
I would bet that Cat has engineered an efficient cooling system.
Vs CAT draws air in from the rear past the engine then out. Excessive engine heat?
Would the BOBCAT have an issue in the winter if that deck area is full of snow?
CAT looks to have more horsepower
50 lbs more ROC
and also higher flow rates with standard flow and also with high flow if you get it
Cat also has standard piston pumps on all their D series vs gear pumps. more efficient and uses less fuel.
BOBCAT has higher hydraulic pressure.
Don’t know how much torque, hydraulic horsepower, or breakout force vs the CAT
CAT has a electronic priming pump
priming the Bobcat is a two person job and makes a mess. I also noticed that the bleed scree is very difficult to even get to behind the door latch
CONTROLS
CAT controls are more fluid, vs BOBCAT more jerky.
BOBCAT seems roomer when getting in the seat. Controls are more outward vs CAT controls are slightly tilted inward where they don’t offer as much room to get in the seat.
However since cat controls are slightly tilted inward may offer less strain after running after several hours?
BOBCAT joystick controls are clearly labeled what the buttons are for. Vs CAT which has nothing.
The Cat machine has decals on the window near the joysticks that explains each of the button functions.
BOBCAT joysticks controls have far more buttons for other features ??? vs CAT controls have less buttons on their joysticks.
The joysticks on the Cat have all the functions needed to run attachments
INTERIOR
Seat is way more comfy on the CAT, higher back seat also.
It's heated too 
However seat in BOBCAT seems to go back farther (long legs)
Flat floor in CAT vs not in BOBCAT
Like how the controls move with the seat with the CAT vs not with the BOBCAT
The other thing I like about the Cat controls is that you can individually adjust each joystick out or in based on preference. And like you said they also are attached to the air ride seat and move with you vs the static joysticks on the Bobcat that stay stationary when the seat goes up and down. This means more comfort.
Radio placement in the CAT sucks. However I can replace with any radio I want if it wears out.
The Cat radio is also Bluetooth and you can take your calls and listen to your iPhone music.
Like the swiches in the BOBCAT better running down the edge of the windows columns, all you have to do is look forward to see your switches vs the CAT in the headers on either side. Look around to find a switch I guess until you learn where they are located.
BOBCAT quick attach button is a joy to use vs the CAT seems more un-user friendly and with it up in the header.
BOBCAT clearer vision out the front window to the bucket, however the big motor box for the wiper eats up a lot of that.
BOBCAT has a nice array of heat and air vents throughout the unit, (lower/header/rear window) Vs Cat just has the ones on either side of your legs. Will I have a problem with the rear window fogging up in the winter?
Are your legs the coldest/warmest because of placement?
BOBCAT rear end is not as high up in the back so looking out the back window offers clearer vision then on the CAT.
The Cat is the only one that offers a OEM rear camera and there is not one signle blind spot between the standard convex mirror and the camera. You actually don't even need to crane your neck to reverse the machine.
BOBCAT looking out the rear window it appears that the horizontal bar for the vertical lift systems is more out of your view Vs the CAT where it appears to be more in the middle of the rear window view.
CAT has a nice rear view mirror in the cab vs none in BOBCAT, not sure you could even mount one in the BOBCAT.
CAT speakers are behind your head Vs BOBCAT speakers down below your kneecaps
CAT 12volt power accessory is up out of the way with a cubby next to it to put your phone in VS BOBCAT 12 volt is down next to radio but no where to put a phone if you want to charge it.
However if you want to hook up your phone/player to the radio for music playback while charging then the BOBCAT wins vs CAT where the radio is all the way to the back of the cabin.
The Cat radio is Bluetooth enabled and you can just sync your phone to the radio to play your music.
What’s my rear window visibility going to be like after a night of plowing snow with snow built up on the rear engine with either machine.
EXTERIOR
Loader Arms.
All the skid steers I’ve seen have about 2 to 3 inch box frame down where the loader arms end. With the pins passing all thru this area.
The Cat 242D looks to have less than an inch thick of steel at the end of the loader arm, So Im guessing the pins are smaller in this area and is the area more prone to weakness due to not having a fully boxed frame in that area??
The pins are the same size and the loader arm is plate steel over an inch thick. I would guess that Cat understands loader structures given their history with large machines.
BOBCAT Quick Attach is easier to operate, switch is next to front window(right side) and its easy to see when attachment is hooked up because you can see the bobtach arms move on the attachment .
CAT attachment switch is in the headliner and on the left side, hard to tell if attachment is indeed hooked up.
Axles on the bobcat appear to be welded on to the side of the machine Cats are bolted on. Not sure how axle sizes compare.
BOBCAT appears to have a lower center of gravity, but looks more tail heavy.
BOBCAT I think is easier to get into the cab with its steps, CAT has a high step.
Which brings up another thought does the step just under the door on the front of the cat tend to fill up with debris (dirt/snow). If so it seems like it would cause issues with the door/window down the road with wear and tear.
CAT has a cross member on the front of the loader arms that I guess is to protect the hydraulic cylinders. And add rigidity to the loader arms. Im not sure how much of an issue that cross member is when you are lifting/dumping and the loader arms are up to the point where that cross member is in your view. BOBCAT doesn’t have this cross member on their skids.
BOBCAT LITURATURE Says
No Maintatenace Axle Bearings – Never needs greasing
Tougher Axles
Chaincase never needs adjustments
Uses largest chains in the industry
I've never seen a chain that doesn't stretch at some point and I know of plenty of Bobcats having sold them that needed chains replaced.
