New Owner - First Post

Vivo · Feb 19, 2011

I want to start out by thanking everyone on this site for all of their posts. I've been lurking here for a while, doing my research on the Toolcat before figuring out it was right for me and pulling the trigger.

Just got my " New to Me " Toolcat 5600 home yesterday. Its a 2009, purchased new in June 2010 (So I still have a few months of warranty left), with 360 hrs on it. It came with a smooth bucket.
I'm in the middle of building a house on the farm so I bought the machine primarily for landscaping around the new house and maintaining the driveway in the summer and winter. I plan on having a garden eventually but probably not till 2012.

What I want to know is...well...What do I need to know? What are your suggestions for a new Toolcat owner, most valuable attachments for acreage owners, maintainence tips...

Thanks in advance.

Spudgunner · Feb 19, 2011

Welcome and congrats on the new purchase. While it's under warranty, I'd go over the thing with the proverbial "fine toothed comb". Here's some stuff I'd recommend:
1) Check the shocks on all four corners for any seeping/leaks.
2) Pull the rear, left fender off (very easy to do). Remove the cover over the hydraulic drive belt and make sure it is properly tensioned. Nothing will temporarily kill/strand your TC faster than blowing the belt apart...and it should be checked every 250 hours from what I've read (and experienced).
3) Make sure the hyd fluid and filters were replaced recently.
4) Plug in an attachment that uses the electrical interface on the boom (e.g. snow blower). Make sure it's happy. If you don't have such an attachment, you're dealer might let you bring the TC in and test it on his equipment. Admittedly a lot of work so you might want to skip it.
5)Don't forget to lube the zerk that is at the end of the main boom hyd cyl. (Will need to get under the TC to do this but it's easy to do with a flexible hose on a grease gun.)
6) It is not a skid steer. Obvious, but I sometimes forget.
7) Avoid Death. (Seems common sense but I have decals all over my TC admonishing me about this.)
8) If you have a 5600, read the instructions on how to raise the bed when the TC is dead and how to jump start the critter if/when needed (without raising the bed).

Again, congrats and welcome.

Roger270 · Feb 19, 2011

Well Vivo,
I think that Spudgunner covered it very well.
I could'nt say it any better.
Good luck and welcome to the site.
Roger270.

Vivo · Feb 20, 2011

Thanks for the responses guys.
Spudgunner - I went through northern Idaho last week to pick up the Toolcat in western Wyoming, Very nice state you have down there!

I was talking to the dealer a couple of days ago and asked them if I could bring the machine in for a good "once over" and if I could be there with the Tech while he does it so I can ask questions during his inspection. They said no problem, so I'm looking forward to that.

Thanks again
Vivo

hardhat · Feb 20, 2011

Just out of curiosity. Why did someone want to get rid of a basically new toolcat? Let us know how you like it. I am ordering mine on monday and am excited about it.

Thanks,

Larry

yooperdave · Feb 20, 2011

Recommend getting the pallet forks if you have not done so already.

1 of the cheapest and most usefull attachments - IMHO.

Good Luck,

Yooper Dave

radman1 · Feb 20, 2011

The bucket and pallet forks are #1 and #2. After that, depends on your projects. Consider a tooth bar for the bucket. Makes it dig much better.
If you have snow- plow or snow blower. Plow is much cheeper but blower works better in the deep stuff.
Got fence to build or larger trees to plant - PHD.
Large yard - 90" mower rocks!
Garden - tiller

The list never stops! Since your not in hurry, watch craigslist, auctions, ads ect for items. Can find them in great shape at much cheaper than new price. Most of my stuff is used but in very good condition. I have tooth bucket, 90" mower, PHD, tiller, rotary broom, snow plow (home built from truck plow), pallet forks, manlift, snow pusher, tilt tach, 3 pt adapter for skid steer, construction grapple. All but the 90" mower and grapple was bought used. Your only limited by your check book and wife!

Vivo · Feb 22, 2011

Hardhat,
The fellow I bought the machine from was going through a tough time financially so he had to liquidate a bunch of equipment. He wasn't happy to see the Toolcat leave but had to let it go to pay the bills.
Yooper,
I plan on getting the forks pretty quick here, the further I get into the build, the more work I'll be doing on my own, including hauling material.
Radman,
We get a fair amount of snow here so I think a 96" bucket will be here before next winter and the same for a 90" mower. Some type of tiller will come in handy for the garden as well. I'm a bit of a gear nut so I'm sure many other toys will come shortly there after.
Vivo

theoshin · Feb 22, 2011

Vivo said:
Hardhat,
The fellow I bought the machine from was going through a tough time financially so he had to liquidate a bunch of equipment. He wasn't happy to see the Toolcat leave but had to let it go to pay the bills.
Yooper,
I plan on getting the forks pretty quick here, the further I get into the build, the more work I'll be doing on my own, including hauling material.
Radman,
We get a fair amount of snow here so I think a 96" bucket will be here before next winter and the same for a 90" mower. Some type of tiller will come in handy for the garden as well. I'm a bit of a gear nut so I'm sure many other toys will come shortly there after.
Vivo

i have forks (should have bought them day 1), 2 buckets - 1 large for material/snow and one smaller with teeth for digging, snowblower, brushcat, rot broom (use a lot to clean driveway (asphalt), tiller.

the tiller has about 10 hours on it and i am going to sell it. works great, just dont have the time for growing anymore (3 kids, hockey, work, etc.). paid 5500 for it and would sell it for 4000.