Ag applications...Toolcat?

jd_jake · Jan 3, 2009

Lets see your toolcat in ag applications.

It shows it moving big round bales, can it really? 1500-1600lbs?

I need to handle under 100/yr along with 3-4k small sqs and fit through a 9x9 door and carry an 80 gal tank. along with the usual farm stuff....plow snow etc.

toolcat or a small tractor? What do the cost?

pics of yours doing farm work would be great.

radman1 · Jan 3, 2009

jd_jake said:
Lets see your toolcat in ag applications.

It shows it moving big round bales, can it really? 1500-1600lbs?

I need to handle under 100/yr along with 3-4k small sqs and fit through a 9x9 door and carry an 80 gal tank. along with the usual farm stuff....plow snow etc.

toolcat or a small tractor? What do the cost?

pics of yours doing farm work would be great.

The TC is rated for 1500 lbs lift but widely known it can lift 2000 lbs. I know it can lift my 36" tree spade which weighs 1400 lbs and the the spade hangs far out the front. Mid to large size CUTs are probably similar in capabilities compared to the TC. I have the TC 5610 3 pt version and a JD 3720 CUT (44 hp) with cab and 300cx loader. The TC FEL will lift more and I have the hydraulic pressure on the JD turned up to 2800-2900 psi. My TC will lift the tree spade to full height. My JD 3720 can only lift the tree spade a few inches and requires significant counter weight on the back. TC is much more stable than the JD due to its weight and low center of gravity. TC rides much, much smoother. TC has better traction due to weight and constant 4x4. TC easier to get in and out of cab and can carry 2 people.
The JD FEL will lift about 1' higher and the pto power is greater.

My well optioned JD 3720 is about 10K less than my full loaded TC 5610.

I have used PHD, tree shear, pallet forks, sweeper, tiller, snowblade and 90" finish mower on the front of my TC.

I did a review of the TC vs CUT a few months ago.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/130891-toolcat-5610-vs-cut-review.html

tmarch · Jan 4, 2009

I've had my TC for a little over a year, main use has been on my ranch. I've used it a lot for removing and building fence. Recently had a welder redo an old hay grapple to move and feed round hay bales. The bales I've used it on aren't real heavy, 1200-1400 pounds and it will handle them. The grapple is in excess of 500 pounds so it's a fair load. I prefer to keep the load close to the ground and by doing that minimize the chance of bending the lift mechanism and it's much safer. I also don't use ballast as I believe a little rear wheel "float" is easier on the suspension.
The TC is much cheaper to run as far as moving a small amount dirt to put around water tanks, hauling salt etc. than my truck and it's ground speed makes it ideal for getting from place to place. I also use it for spraying with my 100 gallon tank in the box and a hand gun out the rear opening in the door.
I've been looking at the bar mower from Skidsteer Solutions, but with winter don't need it soon.
It has it's place, and since I only have 1 for the work it gets a lot of use. In some cases it would be nice to have more capacity and lift heighth, but not many instances that I've found.

yooperdave · Jan 4, 2009

I have had my 'A' series for 3-4 years and have been seriously happy with it doing Farm related tasks.

Attached are a couple of pictures moving 30' long, 2000# steel beams. I have pictures of loading manure and moving large hay bales as well if you like.

Regards,

Yooper Dave

dsb5610 · Jan 5, 2009

I've loaded round bales on a gooseneck with no ballast in the back. Not sure what they weighed but they were not huge. I did pick up a huge one once that was covered with snow and the rear wheels were bouncing off the ground as I moved it into the feed lot. I didn't attempt to lift that one into the feeder. I wouldn't use it to move the bales out of the field. Seems like too much stress bouncing around.

Attached is a picture loading an oak log with the grapple and one with the tree/post puller I built holding a thorny honey locust.

dsb