Fuel Usage

[Rip]

Nice looking plow Dave! Have you had much chance to put it to use yet? Are you plowing mostly paved or unpaved surfaces?

I got my first good hands-on look and Toolcat test drive at my local Bobcat dealer the other day and it did not disappoint. The single biggest application for a TC for me would be snow removal on about a miles' worth of dirt/gravel drive & turn-arounds & parking areas. Been using a PU with a Western straight blade & rubber edge for years and sort of got it down to a science.

Any pro/con feedback from anyone using a TC (SSL or CUT for that matter) w/blade on non-paved surfaces?

Anyone using the rotary brush on such surfaces for light snow or after plowing to minimize ice formation?

My current private road is mostly south facing so ice is seldom an issue, but our new place has a mostly north facing drive so I know I will have to do some things differently.

One thought is to plow first and then rotary brush the rest down to the dirt/gravel surface. However, that plowed surface will likely be pretty compacted by then and the brush may not be able to do much to it. Not sure a blower would be any advantage as do not get real deep snow in single event and would probably have to set it fairly high to avoid picking up too many rocks so the remainder would be same or more as from plowing.

Just looking for some experienced input to consider.

 

[timm9]

Rip,

I have not done this, only heard/read`about others doing it.

For gravel drives, cut a piece of PVC the same length as blade/cutting edge. Then cut the PVC length wise, slip the cut opening of the PVC over the cutting edge to prevent it from digging into gravel etc.

As I mentioned above, I have never done this. I have read about "for profit" plowers doing it on another site. I also believe they live in areas that get very cold so once the gravel/ground freezes it gets easier to plow. I would suspect the "life" of the PVC would be limited. I would think you could fab something similar with a pipe if you are only doing your own drive. For the price of U edges, you could buy a whole lot of PVC.

Tim

 

[Rip]

Tim,

I tried PVC and even ABS before I got the Western rubber edge and neither would last one pass down the drive. I actually like the rubber edge as it makes for a Much smoother plowing run with hardly any blade tripping and many fewer pulled up rocks either.

The rubber edge actually leaves less snow behind than the steel one did, but on my south facing drive this seldom leads to an icing problem here in Colorado. We have a new property with a similar type & length north facing drive that I am more interested in leaving less snow behind to cause ice problems. (The former owner used a tractor with a FEL and back blade but had icing problems all winter)

Thus my question about the brush. Most I have heard of are mostly used with light snow falls and exclusivly on paved surfaces. I guess I could rent one for a month or so and see how it works for my situation.

 

[odleefs]

Sorry so quiet...I have been busy playing catch up at work, and (un)fortunately, I still am! I have used the Toolcat extensively this winter moving a variety of frozen substances including snow, dirt, manure and stone! The Toolcat does it all quickly and efficiently; not that either of those matter while I listen to the radio in the heated cab.

Back to the matter at hand, my toolcat is using about
0.8 g/h on average. Hope this helps!
Steve

 

[mike123]

Somethings not right here- Everyone seems to be using around a gallon an hour. I have a 2005 turbo and I am empty after 8 hours. I run it at full throttle with a blower and when I use the blade I might get an extra .5 hour maybe.
It's generally minus 15 degrees celcius or worse which probably doesn't help.
I was sick of filling up 3 times a storm so I installed a 25 gallon tank in the back of my Toolcat. I go forever now!
Mike

 

[Rip]

Other than higher than anticipated fuel consumtion, how has your machine worked out for you so far this season?

Snow removal will be a big part of the Toolcat's task should I get one, but I think a blade will serve my needs best. Been thinking of a Blizard 810. Any comments on that? Merritt area in southern BC..... wetter snow than your area and not all that much at one time.

 

[Tigerotor77W]

Mike, is it possible to run it at a lower RPM and hit the throttle when you need more oomph? (Does the Toolcat have like an accelerator pedal to do that?)

 

[mike123]

Snow is the only reason I got the machine and you will wonder how you got by without it!
A blade will work great if you have somewhere to put the snow. I have a 79 in. blower for heavy and a 73 in bucket with wings for light snow.

 

[mike123]

Yes I run it a lower RPM when it's working but when I'm in transit it's full throttle - speed is worth more then the price of gas! The blower reqiures full throttle when it's deep/heavy as well but when the snow is real dry you can't tell the difference between 3/4 or full throttle far as preformance goes.
Mike

 

[Big_Daddy]

Mike,

Maybe your not using as much as you think? I thought my Turbo was using too much fuel also.
When my fuel gauge showed dead empty I discovered that I still had approx 6 gals left because it only held 10.2 gals.
I wish Bobcat would fix this problem. It's a guessing game from the 10th to the 16th gallon.
If semi's can draw from two separate tanks and give an accurate reading Bobcat's engineers should be able to do the same.