towing a tc

[dylan]

I used a tilt load tow truck this morning. it just slid right up. My dealer had not heard of the tow bolts but is looking for them. Of course its a lots of work just to go 25 feet. I'm going to keep looking at skids or a car dolly. Something i can store in the tc so then i don't have to go all the way home to get my dolly before moving the machine off the road. If i have it on board ... any truck can pull me out of the way.

 

[DEWFPO]

TireSkates for moving that car, truck or boat around by hand. might be an option. They make them to handle up to 10K lbs. per set of 4.

Seems to me it would be easier to jack up the TC and put these underneath to roll up onto a tow truck then getting underneath and pulling shuttle spools and the like.

Of course, once you get it on these, gravity will take over unless you change 2 of the 4 casters on each skate to the non-swiveling type.

DEWFPO

 

[J_J]

dylan,

If the transmission in your TC is a hydrostatic transmission, there is a way to tow the unit at a very slow speed. On the hydrostatic transmission on the Power-Trac, there is a slotted pin that you turn to open a path for the fluid to move through the transmission and the wheel motors. It is not designed for long distances or towing fast, as it will build up heat really fast. My Dixie Chopper, has a similar device to allow towing. I have a hydrostatic lawn mower that someone pushed and locked up the transmission.

It could be as simple as turning a screw or turning a nut, or a lever. a certain direction .

The procedure for towing your machine should be in the manual, and if you don't have one, it might be available on line.

 

[DEWFPO]

The TC's have automatic locking brakes. In the procedure you have to release the brakes by installing the 4 bolts and removing the shuttle spool and associated parts.

DEWFPO

 

[Navigator7]

I'm going to keep looking at skids or a car dolly. If i have it on board ... any truck can pull me out of the way.

I was imagining UHMW skids attached to a metal frame like a wheel chock.
How you get the machine in the air to slip 'em on is another matter??

 

[dylan]

I like those tires skates! UHMW might work too, especially on snow covered roads. I'm going to make a set with removable wheels. I usually use another machine to lift each end of the tc or keep a hydraulic jack in the toolbox and do one corner at a time.

Thanks for the suggestion JJ. I was hoping for something like you suggested. My Hustler lawnmower has a hydraulic relief freewheel setting like you mentioned.

 

[Spudgunner]

Update: I talked to my BC mechanic and he was aware of the "magic bolts". Described them perfectly and said they had a set at the dealership. He also said they were not compatible with the "D"'s drive motor configuration.

That would explain the blank page in the "D"'s SM. Oh well, it was definitely worth a shot.

 

[timm9]

Does that mean that there is "no option" for towing a D series? You would think that by the time the engineering department got to the D series (after A, B, & C) they would hopefuly have discovered that there are and will be times that towing is the only option left, especially in the field. I was expecting a hidden button/switch to disengage the drive system so we and the tech's in the field didn't have to do surgery to get it to move. Or maybe the engineering department figured that the TC will never need to be towed?

Tim

 

[Spudgunner]

Does that mean that there is "no option" for towing a D series? You would think that by the time the engineering department got to the D series (after A, B, & C) they would hopefuly have discovered that there are and will be times that towing is the only option left, especially in the field. I was expecting a hidden button/switch to disengage the drive system so we and the tech's in the field didn't have to do surgery to get it to move. Or maybe the engineering department figured that the TC will never need to be towed?

Tim

I think it means there is no relatively easy option for towing a "D". After looking at the procedure I'm not sure there's a relatively easy option for towing any TC...but at least you can if you must. Looks like it's time for a homebrewed solution (and I'm not talking beer...although I'm sure that has a place in all this).

 

[J_J]

I like those tires skates! UHMW might work too, especially on snow covered roads. I'm going to make a set with removable wheels. I usually use another machine to lift each end of the tc or keep a hydraulic jack in the toolbox and do one corner at a time.

Thanks for the suggestion JJ. I was hoping for something like you suggested. My Hustler lawnmower has a hydraulic relief freewheel setting like you mentioned.

I stopped by the Tool Cat dealer today, and found out how to tow the Tool Cat. I did not realize you had a B series, and the guy looked up a D series for me. This is what it says. Similar to what someone else said. You have to purchase 4 of those brake lock down bolts, which will release the brakes. Chock the wheels. Remove the brake plug bolts from each axle. Screw in the two brake lock down bolts into the axle. Screw in the bolt until the top of the bolt is .5 in from the axle, then turn the lock nut down. . Do the same for the other axle. Remove the shuttle plugs from the front axle drive motor. Remove the washers springs, and spool and reinsert the plug. Do the same for the rear. Place the washers springs and spool in a baggy or something clean. Mark the front and rear bag accordingly. You can only tow for a short distance, and slow speed. They say just enough to load it on a trailer. Tow chain should be sufficient to tow 1 and 1/2 the weight of the Tool Cat. Your process for the B model should be similar. I believe he said those bolts were $118.00 a piece, but could be wrong.

Apparently what all this is doing, is holding the brakes open, and letting the motor fluid circulate with in the motor. That is why you can only tow for a short distance, because the fluid would get real hot if towed a great distance. Hope this helps.

 

[DEWFPO]

The service manager/mechanic came out today to work on my TC and I asked him about towing the TC. He said if it's on ice or packed snow, you can drag it to the side of the road without concern for damage as long as the tires slide on the ice/ snowpack. You obviously can't do it on dry ground but he said he taps into the hydro brake line circuit and uses a porta-power pump to pump up the brakes and releases them. He said it only takes about 300 psi to release the brakes. He didn't mention anything about relieving the hydro pressure.

DEWFPO

 

[J_J]

The service manager/mechanic came out today to work on my TC and I asked him about towing the TC. He said if it's on ice or packed snow, you can drag it to the side of the road without concern for damage as long as the tires slide on the ice/ snowpack. You obviously can't do it on dry ground but he said he taps into the hydro brake line circuit and uses a porta-power pump to pump up the brakes and releases them. He said it only takes about 300 psi to release the brakes. He didn't mention anything about relieving the hydro pressure.

DEWFPO

If your TC is the " D " model, I have the pages out of the service manual, and what I posted, is the correct procedure and the only safe way to protect the hydrostatic transmission. The fluid has to circulate through the unit, and if you don't think so, just pump up the brakes like he said, and try and drag it for a mile of two.

If you have a smooth ramp/solid metal ramps, you could also squirt some grease in front of the tires as someone pulls the unit up on a trailer. In this situation, the unit is dragged up on the trailer with the tires not moving. You know, like if you want to steal one. Just slick up the ramp, drag and go.

Those repo guys have a neat trick, they have a small half dolly with four wheels, and when a car is on the curb between other cars, they slide the dollies on, squeeze the arms together and the tires raise up, and they can push that car where ever. They usually only get it out enough for the tow truck to hook up and go.

 

[Spudgunner]

I have a "D" and its service manual. The single page regarding towing simply says, "Call your Toolcat dealer for the correct towing procedure." This SM is for Toolcats having SerNumb A0W111001 and above. The p/n for this service manual is 6904792 (rev 2-08).

JJ, are you sure you have a "D" service manual??

 

[J_J]

I have a "D" and its service manual. The single page regarding towing simply says, "Call your Toolcat dealer for the correct towing procedure." This SM is for Toolcats having SerNumb A0W111001 and above. The p/n for this service manual is 6904792 (rev 2-08).

JJ, are you sure you have a "D" service manual??

Yes sir, I am sure. The service manager went out somewhere and brought a CD that had the info that I posted. If I had a way to copy this info, I would. The serial numbers are for TC models A002 11000 -- A003 11000

The title of the pages is Towing the Utility Work Machine.

There are three pages from the 5600 " D " model Dealer Service manual. Pages 33, 34, and 35 of 713 pages.

You should not doubt me, for I don't bull shi* a whole lot. I went and got this data just for you guys. The Dealer is just right up the street. The pages also say Dealer Copy - Not for resale. So apparently they have a manual with detailed description of the unit from front to back. I will bet that CD he brought out has the data for all models.

 

[Rara Avis]

Yes sir, I am sure. The service manager went out somewhere and brought a CD that had the info that I posted. If I had a way to copy this info, I would. The serial numbers are for TC models A002 11000 -- A003 11000

The title of the pages is Towing the Utility Work Machine.

There are three pages from the 5600 " D " model Dealer Service manual. Pages 33, 34, and 35 of 713 pages.

You should not doubt me, for I don't bull shi* a whole lot. I went and got this data just for you guys. The Dealer is just right up the street. The pages also say Dealer Copy - Not for resale. So apparently they have a manual with detailed description of the unit from front to back. I will bet that CD he brought out has the data for all models.

JJ just remember no good deed goes unpunished...

I appreciate your posts......especially your Power-trac solutions...

 

[Spudgunner]

Here's the bottom line:
What's going on here is that we are getting info from Bobcat dealers, regarding the towing of a "D", that is mutually exclusive. They can't both be right. My technician said he had a set of these bolts and that NO WAY would they work on a "D" while JJ's dealer is saying that they will. JJ's dealer and my dealer cannot both be correct.

(It's frustrating that two supposedly authoritative sources (the dealers) would have such opposed views.)

There is no way in the world I'd purchase these expensive bolts for my "D" without knowing for sure if they'd work. (However, I might purchase a set if my dealer was 100% ok with me returning them for a refund if they didn't work.)

Caveat Emptor.

 

[J_J]

Here's the bottom line:
What's going on here is that we are getting info from Bobcat dealers, regarding the towing of a "D", that is mutually exclusive. They can't both be right. My technician said he had a set of these bolts and that NO WAY would they work on a "D" while JJ's dealer is saying that they will. JJ's dealer and my dealer cannot both be correct.

(It's frustrating that two supposedly authoritative sources (the dealers) would have such opposed views.)

There is no way in the world I'd purchase these expensive bolts for my "D" without knowing for sure if they'd work. (However, I might purchase a set if my dealer was 100% ok with me returning them for a refund if they didn't work.)

Caveat Emptor.

Please re read my post about the serial numbers and write down the pages and reference and ask your service manager if he has a CD with the model D 5600 using the pages I stated. Best thing to do for an owner of a TC, would be to go down to the dealer with the serial number of his machine and get the exact instructions for towing his particular TC.

I believe I have given you all the data that I had.

 

[notachance]

A0W1 serial prefix is the D series. A002 & A003 are C series. D & C have completely different axles. D series has independent suspension and C series has a solid axle. You cannot use the bolts to back off the brakes on the D series.

 

[Rip]

I agree the bolt method may sound perfectly reasonable for an engineer sitting at his desk, but out in the "real world" it is another matter. The wheel dollies with 4 small castor wheels may work on level pavement, but how often do breakdowns occur there?

Check out Tire Skates at AWDIRECT.com (Item TS420 @ $59.99/pair - get 2 pair). They are a one-piece low-friction plastic material that should work for all series TCs under a pretty wide range of conditions and be fool proof. I am probably going to get two sets before I need them in the middle of the road !

AW is a towing (as in wrecker) accessory outfit that has lots of useful stuff for tractor folks such as tie-down straps, chains, tool boxes, warning & work lights, etc, etc.

Good luck - Rip

 

[J_J]

A0W1 serial prefix is the D series. A002 & A003 are C series. D & C have completely different axles. D series has independent suspension and C series has a solid axle. You cannot use the bolts to back off the brakes on the D series.

You could very well be right. I will check back with the service manager tomorrow.