Down for the count!

[dylan]

I've been having a few problems with my toolcat over the last month. (that's why the delay in finishing the back blade) but today it bit the dust!

I've had lots of minor problems. Leaking tires, fuel lines, hydraulic lines, windows, you name it. Broken front shocks (2) and a bunch of other stuff.

Today after being in "service" for a week getting "fixed" the computer died.
The repair guy came right out (it had just left bobcats shop) and had a look.

Parts might be in tommorrow. Hope that's the end of the problems.

Cheers Dylan

 

[yooperdave]

I just broke my front windshield.

How big of a bill do you think it will be to replace?

It is getting cold outside...

Yooper Dave

 

[dsb5610]

Dylan,

Looking at the pics you posted I believe yours is a 'B' series. How many hours are on it? I probably have around 450 on my 'A' series now. The only thing wrong on mine so far is a couple of drops of oil after sitting over night under the rear axle. I haven't taken the time to get under it and investigate.

dsb

 

[dsb5610]

I just broke my front windshield.

How big of a bill do you think it will be to replace?

It is getting cold outside...

Yooper Dave

How in the world did you manage to break the windshield? I would not want to get that bill.

dsb

 

[dylan]

Yooperdave: Hope no one was hurt when it broke!

dsb: Yep it is the B series. I have about 100 hrs. Not too many. I'll only had it for two months but it has been in for service several times for days or weeks at a time.

The tech did get a new computer yesterday. I was impressed by how fast they got it and installed it. He was helpful and kept me in the loop. The toolcat fired right up with the new one. Seems to be running good except now the computer board on the snow blower is toast. They are still working on that.

 

[timm9]

There is a circuit board in the actual blower? Are you sure that the circuit board is not a secondary for the high flow in the Toolcat? I'd be very curious to know where it is located (on the blower) and what that cost to replace as I have two of them. The blowers are an important part of my winter operation. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Tim

 

[yooperdave]

I was building one of those steel arch kit sheds from Menards.

The bucket was great for raising the steel arches in place.

One of the arches got away, and crashed into the winshield.
Nobody got hurt, and the shed does not look half bad.

I kind of like being able to listen better to what is going on outside...

Yooper Dave

 

[IslandTractor]

I kind of like being able to listen better to what is going on outside...

Now that is an optomist for you.

Perhaps we should start a top ten list for why it's not such a bad thing to smash the windshield on your beautiful new Toolcat.

1) You can hear better what's going on outside
2) When it rains, you don't need to leave the cab to get something to drink
3) You don't need to open the door to let a bee out of the cab
4) Saves on windshield washer fluid
5) Great conversation starter with your neighbors
6) One less thing to worry vandals might break
7)
8)
9)
10)

 

[yooperdave]

LOL

Let the list begin!

Yooper Dave

 

[dylan]

Timm9,
Yes there is a circuit board mounted on the back of the blower under a plastic cover. It changes out easily with 6 hex screws. It controls the blower functions. My blower started right up after changing it. It was done under warranty so I don't know the price.

After getting that fixed I noticed I was losing travel speed so the bobcat mechanic pulled the hydro filter and found ... metal flakes. Looks like they will also be changing the hydro motors. I hope no more problems pop up. I haven't even hardly got to use the machine yet.

Cheers Dylan

 

[theoshin]

you are being very good about you problems.

at my 50 hour check they did not find any major issue with metal.

the potential problem is with the front and rear DRIVE motors. a bad
batch of motors went into an unknown number of toolcats. it results in BRASS being sent out of the 3 piston motor into the hdro fluid. if you have BRASS then both motors need to be replaced. they should also flush your system - it is a pretty big undertaking to do it right.

my 240 72" blower is ready and waiting for some Northern WI snow. I plan on using the 84" brush for the light stuff.

Good luck with the repairs,
I love my toolcat,

TS

 

[Rolando]

Dylan,
What kind of symptoms did you get when the front shocks broke? I've been getting some creaking noises from the front suspension when under heavy load and have been trying to decide if it's something that needs to be looked at.

 

[dylan]

Rolando,
If you pick up anything heavy, one side will drop down 3-4" more than the other. It is very obvious. With nothing in the bucket, one side will be 1/2" off the ground. Makes it hard to level dirt. I checked the air pressure first, then the suspension.

They changed one of the front shocks and it worked great for 2 days and then did it again. They changed it again and it has been fine for a week or so.

Cheers Dylan

 

[dsb5610]

Dylan,
What kind of symptoms did you get when the front shocks broke? I've been getting some creaking noises from the front suspension when under heavy load and have been trying to decide if it's something that needs to be looked at.

Rolando,

Mine creaks too when under heavy load. I write it off as normal suspension noise but make sure you keep everything greased.

dsb

 

[timm9]

Dylan,

Thank you for the info about the circuit board. I just finished servicing the blowers and the manual did not reference a circuit board. I'm going to go back and pull that cover and see if the board(s) need to be cleaned etc.

With respect to the "metal flakes", I thought from what I had read that this was only a "C" series issue and you have a "B" series? Could you possibly share your (partial) serial number so that I can see how close it is to my units? I really don't need a major failure in the middle of a snow storm.

Thanks Again!

Tim

 

[dylan]

Tim
It is the b series. Number 42471175. There is not much to maintain with the board. Maybe just make sure there is no corosion on the connections.
I know what you mean about a failure in the middle of a snow storm. I'm not panicing yet ... but if they start forecasting snow ...
Good luck
Dylan

 

[timm9]

Dylan,

Thank you for the serial number info. I wil check it against my units. I think I will use some of the electrical system spray cleaner (used for cleaning o2 sensors) on the circuit board(s) as a precaution. Maybe a little electrical grease on the connections to prevent any problems from moisture. I have greased everything on the blowers but was not aware of the circuit board. I was recently told (not by my dealer) that I should not be "engaging" the blower unit at full throttle, but should engage at low throttle then "run up" the throttle. Have you heard this? I have had these units for two seasons and have not "followed" these instructions. I was told the above by a fellow blower owner that had a failure and was given these instructions by his tech/dealer.

Tim

 

[Bob999]

I was recently told (not by my dealer) that I should not be "engaging" the blower unit at full throttle, but should engage at low throttle then "run up" the throttle.

Tim

In my experience this is standard advice with any hydraulic PTO. It reduces the sudden application of high pressure/high volume hydraulic fluid to the unit attached to the PTO and also reduces the stress on the (typically solenoid activated) valve that switches fluid flow to the PTO circuit.

 

[CRJCaptain]

Dylan,

Looking at the pics you posted I believe yours is a 'B' series. How many hours are on it? I probably have around 450 on my 'A' series now. The only thing wrong on mine so far is a couple of drops of oil after sitting over night under the rear axle. I haven't taken the time to get under it and investigate.

dsb

DSB...

Is the oil coming from the axle or the hydraulic driven radiator fan? My fan leaked hydraulic oil and needed to be replaced last year.

Dean

 

[dsb5610]

DSB...

Is the oil coming from the axle or the hydraulic driven radiator fan? My fan leaked hydraulic oil and needed to be replaced last year.

Dean

Dean,

I took a quick look last night. Appears to be the plug where you check the fluid level on the differential. Guess mine is full. Need to see if that is loose or what the deal is.

dsb