Getting ready to demo Toolcat for fence business.

[fuelburner]

We have a fence business in West Va. and currently have a mini skid steer. Last payment has been made so we are thinking about buying a Toolcat to run fence. Anyone out there use a Toolcat for fencing? Also my son runs one of the crews and was concerned about the glass cab. Can you order the unit with just heat and no A/C. I have also heard the doors come off the cab units. What do you think cab or no cab? Major concern in damage while using in field.

 

[CRJCaptain]

I think that you would be very happy with the Toolcat installing fence...I've run the auger on my unit and it performed great (See this thread for pictures using an auger to plant trees: Tree planting w/Toolcat )

The a/c and heat option come together with the cab...you can't have just heat w/ no a/c. I would definitely go with the cab.The air conditioning is real nice in the summer, too. If you're concerned about smashing the glass in the cab, one thing that helps is getting the rear window guard option.

Hope you enjoy the demo...get the checkbook ready! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rox]

For your fence business, do you ahve an attachment that holds a roll of fencing verticle, and that feeds it? I think I saw one that is used for putting up that special barrier fence that goes around construction sites. Do you use anything like that in your business?

 

[pairiefencer]

I also have a fencing business. I run two Bobcat skidsteers and bought a Toolcat last summer. The tc works nice for certain jobs such as pulling old posts and pushing in new ones. The skidsteers work better on the auger because you have so much better control of placement. With the tc you have to shift from forward to reverse and step on a peddle to move. It works for augering holes but not as handy as the skidsteer. Haven't had any trouble with breaking windows yet but I can see that it could be a problem. I plan to make a guard for the back window before spring. The box is nice for hauling stuff and the hydraulic dump saves a lot of time unloading. The toolcat also moves around faster than my skidsteers but the newer two speeds may solve that. We do mostly barb wire fencing so we use several four wheelers also for rolling out wire and getting around. Good luck.

 

[radman1]

I have only owned my TC for a few months and haven't tried it for fencing yet. I have S300 with vertical lift and the it is great for digging most holes. My biggest complaint with S300 is the light front end weight. I can't climb any reasonable grade without fear of tipping back. The auger and bit are just too light to hold the front down. Often I have to back up a slope/hill. Sometimes going forward is the only option depending on terrain. Also if digging a hole while facing uphill with the SS, the lack of weight on the front won't allow it to dig with down pressure.

The TC should not have any of these issues. The only negative with the TC, is having to move forward as the hole is dug to maintain vertical digging. I suppose one has to move backwards as it is raised also. Like most jobs, with a little practice, one will learn just how much and when to move. TC will be much easier getting in and out compared to a SS. I have the TC 5610 and plan to run my hydraulic tamper off the rear hydraulics. I changed one of the set of rear hydraulic switches to run continiously vs the momentary switch which is standard.

 

[pairiefencer]

Where did you get your hydraulic tamper and what did it cost? I have been thinking of getting one.

You must have weights in the back of your 300 to make it so front light. I have a 763 and a 773. The 763 has no extra back weights but the 773 does. They are removable on mine. I always try to drill holes down hill whenever possible. You wil find that your visibility of the auger and precise placement of it will not be as easy with the TC.

THanks for the info on the tamper if you have it.

 

[Navigator7]

I have the TC 5610 and plan to run my hydraulic tamper off the rear hydraulics. I changed one of the set of rear hydraulic switches to run continiously vs the momentary switch which is standard.

Tamper???
What's a tamper?
Like a pile driver?
Got any pics?

 

[dsb5610]

I like the visibility of auger placement with the TC. however, in addition to moving forward and backward slightly to keep the hole plum if you are drilling through some frost or hardpack and put too much down pressure the TC will slide to one side. When this happens I lift the auger and reposition the TC. With a SS it is easy to realign without lifting the auger.

dsb

 

[speedy67]

Here ya go, Nav:

It's a miniature 'jumping jack' compactor, built specifically to compact the dirt down inside a post hole. you can do the same thing with a 2x4 or a manual too, but it ain't nearly as sexy. (sexy? )

Stanley Hydraulic Tamper

 

[Navigator7]

Here ya go, Nav:

you can do the same thing with a 2x4 or a manual too, but it ain't nearly as sexy. (sexy? )

OIC
Now understand why I don't know what those things are.
Our soil is glacial remnant which consists of large rock surrounded by smaller rock.
We are taxed based on the amount of humus in the soil...which is why there isn't any!
;-)