Pondering toolcat. Toolcat owners please read

[Xfaxman]

So are ALL 5600's going to overheat when mowing? From what I have read, if you stop and clean the screen, it won't overheat.

That seems ridiculous that Bobcat would expect customers to tolerate an inconvenience like that.

Any 5600 owners out there have this problem?

 

[1965tontruck]

As stated above, I have a 5600A. I run a small bush hog on the front and every time I use it the machine overheats. I use the approved screen for the radiator and it helps some. Also, I found that tilting the bed approx 6-9 inches helps let cooling air in, but the machine will still overheat. Once overheated I turn off the bush hog, throttle down and drive around the pasture for 4-5 minutes. Time to overheat is directly related to ambient temps; the hotter it is outside the quicker it will overheat.

I suspect the 5610 greatly benefits from having the radiators located on top and not under a bed.

 

[Xfaxman]

What about the later series of 5600's, Do they overheat when mowing?

 

[Xfaxman]

........
Therefore, I started to look at used units. Used 5610's are rare as hens teeth.
..........
Good news is time is on my side. I'm not in a rush, but a used 5610 is probably my best choice, so long as its a newer used one.

Looks like the 5610 came out in July 2008.

Interesting old thread here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/125375-toolcat-3-pt-here-toolcat.html

 

[dsb5610]

Just cleaning off the screen on top of the radiator will not prevent my 'A' model from overheating. I need to remove the screen, tilt up the radiator and clean off the top of the oil cooler. It takes a couple of minutes and I do this after each time I mow. Mine does not overheat if they are clean. I tend to do my other chores when it is not so hot out then jump in the Toolcat and mow during the hottest part of the day. I also clean the A/C condenser after each mowing.

I do not believe you will be happy with the results when mowing 2' grass unless you make two passes traveling in opposite directions.

dsb

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Any 5600 owners out there have this problem?

overheating on early series was a known issue, however keeping screens and between radiators clean will keep it running in the green. I mow 36" plus weeds and small brush and use a cut to fit disposable AC filter over the radiators. It helps but I still have to clean them. Doesn't take very long at all.. <5 minutes. I do this on my big machines, too, including my purpose built 200 hp chipper. Some guys may think you should be able to mow grass all day and not get hot.. I've not found a machine other than my old 8n tractor that can do that..at least no modern machines unless you keep the screens clean.

 

[Hay Dude]

I cut all day with 8' and 15' bush hogs and don't have a problem.
Once I did, but it was an incredibly dense 8' tall patch of brush and it was like 98 deg. Screen was all clogged up.

 

[radman1]

I have a 5610 with 90"front mower and 6' rear rotary mower. You will not like the 90"mower in tall grass. Have to go really slow or you will stop it. It is a finish mower, not a rough cut mower. Even the rear 6' mower has to go slow. Driven by hydraulics, they only have 25 pto hp. I also have a jd 4520 CUT, and the pto is vastly more powerful. I run a 10' rear mower on it and that can be a load in grass. A CUT pto hp will increase as the rpms decease due to the torque curve of an engine. With hydraulics, hp is a function of flow and psi. Under a load, flow decreases immediately and so does the pto hp. Keep the grass under a foot and the 90" mower will do ok. Best if under 6-9 inches. A CUT with mid mount mower is not going to mow tall grass either. CUT with mmm has to get all that debris out the side chute. Not going to happen in tall grass. At least the 90" toolcat mower has a wide discharge in the rear. I have a 84" rear bush hog finish mower for the jd 4720. It is rear discharge and can handle taller grass better than the 90" toolcat because of more pto hp. However, I can smoke the belt on the 84" finish mower with the jd 4720 in taller grass and can't even tell any change in the cab of the 4720- much more pto hp.

The loader will handle a 1000 lb round bale. Visibility is really blocked by the bale compared to a tractor.
Stability really good on slopes or with something on the FEL. Dont have the pivoting front axle compared to a cut. Most of the weight is low compared to a larger CUT cab. My cabbed 4720 is good but not as stable as the toolcat. I had a jd 3720 with cab and that was horrible on slopes.
3 pt lift is good. Will pick up any reasonable 3 pt attachment designed for a cut. It does not have position control and you have to be aware of running a mower to raise and lower. I look in the rear view mirror and watch the depth gauge when lowering. In a CUT, it is set the postion knob, drop and go. The toolcat 3 pt will also creep down with time unlike a Cut. Creep down is not bad on toolcat, but with 6' rear mower, I ad just about every 30 min.

I have ag tires on the 4720. Vastly more traction than the TC.

I don't have overheating issues on the TC. I have to watch the 4720 a bit for overheating with the 10' mower because of heavier load and can plug screen on radiator.

If you get a TC, get the high air intake for the engine. Helps tremendously with keeping air filter clean. Mine stays cleaner than any CUT or tractor I own.

TC much smoother than the CUT over rough ground. TC can handle other front hydraulics better than any CUT. I have hydraulic PHD, snow blower, v snow blade ect. TC better for loader work cause can see bucket edge better.(I use a low profile bucket on TC). Pallet forks much easier to see on TC.

 

[Hay Dude]

good analysis. Exactly what I wanted to know. Sounds like TC might not make me quite as happy because a lot of the finish mowing is "rough cut" fin mowing and although the 90" front mower sounds awesome out front where its visible, I need a big FM that will power through 12-18" grass. I really wanted front mount mower.
I also love the idea of the side by side cab, the great visibility and the Kubota (as of now) diesel and the STABILITY.
After all the analysis, I think a 50HP CUT is probably going to be a better choice with wheels set max wide and as much weight as possible to rear wheels.. New Holland makes a good size cut with an available 84" MMM. I know the MMM might smoke belts in real high stuff. I just cant do a rear finish mower.
It would be great if they made a rear discharge MMM.