New to Tractors, New to ToolCat

Gadgetnut · Nov 12, 2005

Hello, Everyone, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Chris. I'm new to this forum and new to tractors. (You should have seen me seated on the John Deere lawn tractor I inherited with this house reading the owners manual.) I recently bought a home on 35 acres in the San Juan islands. Property includes hills, meadows, conifers, fruit trees, an eight acre lake, walking paths, bridges, etc. I'm looking forward to maintaining and enhancing the landscape here. Currently I'd estimate 6 acres are mowed like lawn, and I may want to increase that. I'd like to develop new woodland trails up to the ridge for a view, do debris cleanup, cleanup fields, maintain gravel and asphalt roads, etc.

At my previous home I watched my lawn service use Walker mowers very successfully. I demo'ed one up here and I liked it a lot. So I've ordered a Walker MD, with 20.9HP diesel Kubota, and 48" mowing deck with grass handling system-- which will be delivered in two weeks. I also have a Little Wonder blower that fits on the front of that mower, and have also ordered the Walker wood chipper.

For the next piece of equipment, I was considering medium sized tractor like Kubota L3830 Grand but because I'm also looking to buy a utility vehicle, a buddy suggested I look at the ToolCat. I spent some time on their website-- tons of easily rentable attachments. But I think I would miss not having a backhoe.

Couple questions. ToolCat cannot load itself. What do you use ToolCat's hydraulic dump for? I envision a lot of grapple use for cleanup-- do you just drive each mouthful of grapple debris across the farm? (On the other hand, if for the same money as a ToolCat, I bought a Kubota tractor and RTV utility vehicle, I'm probably deceiving myself-- I can't imagine using a tractor's FEL to load debris into a Kubota RTV-900's rear hauling bed-- I think it would be too small.)

My first post here evolved into a similar discussion in the Kubota section, and a member catuioned me to test the ToolCat under a heavy load, because its full suspension may compress under the load and interfere w/ predictable handling characteristics. Any input on that?

I have a ToolCat and some attachments being delivered for a demo here at my property on Monday. Any specific suggestions for things I should look for or lookout for? Thanks!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Rip · Nov 12, 2005

First let me welcome you to TBN and the ToolCat forum. While I am sure others will chime in with various comments and insights, I'll put my $0.02 in.

The ToolCat is perhaps the most versitile single piece of large property maintenace equipment available in the US today. While other machines may do specific tasks somewhat better or more efficiently, none (IMO) can do as many as well as a ToolCat.

A ToolCat is not inexpensive, however if it can reasonably replace several others it may well turn out to be most cost effective. I had a standard CUT (NH TC-30) for my Colorado mountain property and found it too tippy for much of my terrain so got a PowerTrac 1845 which is great for steep terrain and at least the equal of the TC-30 for most else. The ToolCat had just come out when I made that last choice and did not have any track record.

I now find myself seriously considering a ToolCat for the majority of my tasks although I may hang on to the PowerTrac for its steep terrain capability if nothing else.

The ToolCat can carry two people in extreme comfort (for a tractor/utility vehicle) plus tools, chainsaws, fence supplies, etc, etc plus the very capable tool carrier that does so much more than the standard FEL of a CUT. There are a LOT of third party outfits that make a WIDE range of attachments to fit most skid steers and most of these will work with a ToolCat.

If you have a bunch of stuff to haul a distance, the ToolCat is rated to tow up to 2 tons so a single or tandem axle or wagon style trailer can be unhooked, loaded and then towed to final destination.

If you can afford the up front $$ of a ToolCat I think you will be well pleased for the long haul. Since this is a realitively new concept (for the US) many folks are faced with an already full stable of machines and attachments that makes it more difficult to justify switching to such a system. For one starting from scratch so-to-speak, I think the ToolCat would be an excellent choice.

Good Luck with whatever you choose in any case.

BrianSouthernMD · Nov 12, 2005

Welcome, Gadget/Chris! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You're doing things right by taking in TBN info and especially by demoing a Toolcat with MULTIPLE attachments on YOUR property. Be sure to test it for a good many hours doing different tasks all over your 35 acres.

I think you'll find front-mounted attachments preferable to any rear 3 pt. hitch system with CUTs. Easy cab access and implement change plus being able to see what you're doing in the Toolcat will make you confortable very quickly. I find front-mounted hydraulic brush mower use especially satisfying (and the Ammbusher 3rd party product more flexible than the Bobcat Brushcat).

I've maneuvered the 1110-lb. 60" Ammbusher attachment, lifted heavy logs and debris in my 63" root rake brush grapple, lifted out large stumps and roots with a grubbing bucket, and carried full 62" buckets of heavy, wet gravel without suspension or handling issues.

I think you'll find several attachments from which you can choose for the front to take on tasks for which you might otherwise use a backhoe. I'll try to suggest a few in another post.

When I have a lot in my root rake brush grapple, it stays in there until the material's final resting point on the farm, such as a burn pile. But remember the Toolcat can tow a wagon or trailer on which to put loads of material to move about or off property. The dump bed carries tools, materials and/or debris and is often loaded by hand.

Note the lift arm is different between the B and C series units. Is your demo a B or C, and is it the Turbo model? Have fun testing the Toolcat on Monday, let us know what you think, and be sure ask us any further questions. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

IslandTractor · Nov 13, 2005

Gadget,

You have posted to the toolcat forum so you'll undoubtedly get a lot of enthusiastic reviews here. Just remember that the toolcat is pretty new and most of the posters have only owned their machines for less than a year. You might want to balance things out by checking out the Powertrak forum as well. The Powertrak forum has more experienced users. Both the toolcat and powertrak machines are much more flexible than traditional CUTs in my opinion. Powertrak is much less expensive (tractor and implements) and just as versatile but without the heated/AC cab. Everyone is eager to see the new smaller toolcat but until then you'd might want to check out the powertraks.

BrianSouthernMD · Nov 13, 2005

It's true many regular posters bought their Toolcat in 2005, but some have had them in use since 2003, including CRJCaptain and DaveWeaver.

The Toolcat has been out for nearly three years and Bobcat has been very good about using feedback and getting improvements to market. The Toolcat is now in its (third) "C" series. While some of the magnetic speed and wheel position sensors, other 4-wheel-steer technologies and parts of drivetrain are new, they are well-engineered and do work. The rest of the machine is built from proven components used in other equipment such as other Bobcat products.

Looking at info in the Power Trac forum is good advice. I was down to the Bobcat Toolcat 5600 Turbo and the Power Trac 1850 before going with the Toolcat in August. I now have 90 hours of varied use on my farm and am very satisfied.

Gadgetnut · Nov 14, 2005

Hello, Rip. Thank you for the welcome, and thanks for the very insightful description. I agree. My barn is empty, so I have a clean slate to start with-- it seems like this would be a very, very useful machine. I like the flexibility of all the different attachments. I don't own a trailer yet (other than my thirty-seven foot long fifth wheel!)-- I was wondering if one of these
Towmaster Hydraulic Dump Trailer
might do double duty-- use the ToolCat to load the trailer and pull the trailer on the farm. Or load the ToolCat up in the trailer and pull the trailer with my dooley Duramax.
Anyway I should be getting a test drive soon of the ToolCat, and I'll report back my experiences. Once again, thank you. --Chris

Gadgetnut · Nov 14, 2005

Hi, Brian-- thanks for the welcome and the ideas. I saw some of your photos. I especially liked that front mounted brush mower that can tilt down on a lower slope while the TC is still back up and pretty level. That would be very useful to me. I still am wondering what other attachments may be available that would take on the work of a backhoe... please post here or PM me any ideas you have. Have you or has anyone tried their wood chipper?

You made the same suggestion as Rip-- that the TC can pull a dump trailer. I think I would look into that.

The TC I'm interested in is a Turbo, with high flow hydraulics. If/when I buy, all the current models are C models aren't they? Anything else of recent or pending model year change I should be aware of? Is tire choice an issue? My dealer mentioned "free air conditioning and heat package" if I order before Nov. 30th. I'll post my thoughts after the demo. Thanks again. -Chris

Gadgetnut · Nov 14, 2005

Hi Ed, and fellow Island Tractor owner! (I also live on an island. Since I own a lake on an island that has an island in it, I own an island on an island. Never mind!) I think you're right, I'll find more ToolCat lovers than bashers here in this forum-- that's okay-- I've also been discussing these issues on the Kubota forum. I'm trying to get a well rounded picture, and I appreciate the input from folks who've had the experience. In addition to a piece of equipment, I'm looking for a very positive service experience and so I'm also comparing the Kubota and Bobcat dealers in that regard. Thanks again. -Chris

IslandTractor · Nov 14, 2005

Gadget,

Don't get me wrong. I was not suggesting that the Toolcat requires bashing at all. It is undoubtedly a very fine piece of equipment. My point was more that there was life before Toolcats and a number of alternatives for accomplishing the work. My only real gripe with Toolcats now is that they seem oversized/overpowered for "estate" use. Guys are managing to do essentially the same work with half priced PowerTracs or with utility tractors 30hp and below. The idea of the Toolcat is great it is just sized more for commercial/industrial work. I know there is talk of a smaller version though I would personally be interested more in a 30hp than 40hp step down unit. The Toolcat is "cooler" than just about anything out there but functionally I think you pay a hefty premium. Implements are much more expensive than equivalent Powertrac units too. I do admire the machines but unless I just had to have a passenger seat and a dump body (with no way to load!!), I would want to make sure a PowerTrac did not satisfy my needs before jumping on the bandwagon.

To be totally open here, I looked hard at the PowerTracs before finally deciding on a CUT with BH myself. I never seriously considered the Toolcat due to overkill and expense. While I am happy with my decision, I definitely can see times where I would love to be working with a Toolcat or PowerTrac (especially I miss the grapple loader). Other times, the Toolcat (and most Powertracs) seem limited by the lack of a real backhoe which is an extraordinarily useful piece of equipment. To summarize, I did not post to bash the Toolcat just to alert someone who identified himself as a newbie that there are a number of highly capable alternatives that should be considered simultaneously. Also, it may be difficult if you don't have tractor experience but you should scout around to find out what size machine you really need.

Good luck and have fun on your island collection.

Ed

Gadgetnut · Nov 14, 2005

Hi Ed, thanks for the clarification. I understood your intention -- "bashing" was my word, wrong word; I meant "honest, critical assessment" -- and I appreciate your input. No doubt, TC is expensive. In light of this, I'm deciding whether its flexibility (ability to wear many hats) and performance are compelling to me. I, too, miss the utility of a backhoe. For a number of reasons, I became interested in the idea of a heated, air conditioned cab-- and the factory cab on the Kubota mid size tractor is incompatible with their backhoe. re: ToolCat, I sure like the idea of using the added implements in the front of the machine. Very interesting performance differences and I'm having fun sorting them out. Thanks again.