New to Tractors, New to ToolCat

BrianSouthernMD · 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?... 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)
Gadget/Chris,
The photo was of the Bobcat 72" Mower, a floating 3-spindle finish mower more than a brush cutter. In addition to that, I have an Ammbusher brush cutter than can also handle different elevations and it can tackle brush from various angles.

Instead of a backhoe, depending on your needs consider specialized attachments such as a Markham Welding stump & grubbing bucket (narrower than inside tires for trenching!), various Bobcat Trencher and Bobcat Digger models, or a well-built mini-hoe such as those offered by Skid Steer Solutions, or (for some jobs) renting a mini-excavator.

C series will have a dual lift arm design... many of us chose R4 tires instead of turf.... be sure to get your dealer to bring along lots of attachments for you to try... I had a four-day demo on my farm... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

IslandTractor · Nov 14, 2005

Gadget,

One of the concerns I see with the ToolCat is whether it is really optimized for mowing which is such a large part of what most of us do with CUTs etc. There is a thread here discussing the need to stop and clean air filters/radiator to prevent overheating due to the amount of dust/debris that gets blown in. Maybe that is an early model issue but it does demonstrate the point that some of these multipurpose machines are suboptimal at common tasks. Of course with a CUT the debris rarely reaches the engine area as the cutter is behind the engine. Again, I hope the Toolcat guys don't see this as nitpicking or bashing. The Toolcat is perfect for some uses and a compromise for others. Same story with CUTs.

Ed

Dargo · Nov 14, 2005

( One of the concerns I see with the ToolCat is whether it is really optimized for mowing which is such a large part of what most of us do with CUTs etc. There is a thread here discussing the need to stop and clean air filters/radiator to prevent overheating due to the amount of dust/debris that gets blown in. )

I have to assume that you have never mowed with one. A Toolcat is vastly superior to a CUT when it comes to mowing. There is no comparison. That doesn't even take into consideration that the ride is far superior and the comfort factor. As far as the debris issue, that is certainly old news. I don't think you want people to start listing all of the past issues your tractor has had here. The Toolcat has a pretty darn good record for a new piece of equipment; especially when compared to certain tractor manufacturers. The Toolcat cannot do everything, but trying to pick on it's mowing capabilities when compared to a CUT is silly.

BrianSouthernMD · Nov 14, 2005

I'll choose front-mounted rotary brush cutting and floating, front-mounted finish mowing with my cabbed Toolcat and its full suspension and 4-wheel-steering over a CUT with rear 3pt. hitch mowers any day of the week! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Being able to tackle huge brush from the front, rather than backing into it with a CUT or driving over it first if possible, is a key feature for me.

IslandTractor · Nov 14, 2005

Hey guys, cool off. I did not say that mowing with a Toolcat was not a pleasant experience. It is obviously easier to drive facing exactly what you are mowing. PowerTrac and many professional mowers have clearly established that. What I pointed out was that owners on the Toolcat forum have detailed issues specifically with overheating while mowing which is undoubtedly related to the fact that grass etc gets blown into the radiator etc. That would be expected with a front mower/front engine set up. If Bobcat designed a MowCat I betcha they would put the engine out back or at least put the radiator out of the dust storm. If they intended it primarily to clear land they would route hydraulic hoses differently etc.

My point was more that all tractors/utility vehicles are compromises and we need to make sure the compromises fit well with our intended uses. I certainly agree it would be comfortable and efficient to mow in a Toolcat. Haven't tried it but I don't need to; I am quite sure it is true. MossRoad's videos showed me all I needed to convince me of that point.

It seems to me that Bobcat's main market for these devices is general grounds keeping and utility functions around buildings and campuses rather than bush wacking or clearing land. Gadget described quite a lot of land clearing and admitted he had little experience with any type of tractor. I was simply pointing out the need to think critically about the new Toolcat.

You don't need to sell me on the pros of an articulated tractor. I came within a hairsbreadth of buying a PowerTrac and there are still moments when I wish I had (the grapple thing again). I am well aware that ToolCat owners are enthusiastic and I don't mean to denigrate the device at all I just think a newbie should think carefully about the functions they will need before hopping on the bandwagon.

odleefs · Nov 14, 2005

overheating while mowing which is undoubtedly related to the fact that grass etc gets blown into the radiator etc. That would be expected with a front mower/front engine set up. If Bobcat designed a MowCat I betcha they would put the engine out back or at least put the radiator out of the dust storm. 
IslandTractor,
Your points are valid, but as Dargo pointed out, some of these issues will not be encountered, or at least decreased by someone buying a new Toolcat. BTW, The radiator is mounted under the dump bed and the engine is midmounted. But, as you said, debris made airborne during cutting in the front is pulled into the radiator, which does require periodic maintenance (cleaning out every 8-10 hours of use). This is no different than checking the oil or greasing the zerk fittings with a tractor, in fact to check the oil level and air filter I have to lift the bed hydraulically anyhow, so I just spray off the rediator screen when doing this, even if I didn't mow during the previous 8-10 hour period. This is a compromise, however, but I personally prefer the periodic maintenance over the sore neck as I cut around my fencing! Toolcats do cost money but you get what you pay for, and their resale is second to none! For a backhoe, you could check out the Markham grubbing bucket or even this site, as posted in a different thread front hoe
Steve

odleefs · Nov 14, 2005

Chris,
Just wanted to say that your land looks and sounds pristine! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Good luck with whatever piece(s) of equipment you decide upon, but the demo on YOUR property will be the best deciding factor, IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Refer to other posts in this and other Toolcat threads for front hoe info.
Steve

Rip · Nov 15, 2005

Hey Garagenut, sorry I did not get back to you sooner. Those dump trailers would be a real handy thing to have in certain circumstances and could serve to transport a ToolCat (although take good note of dimentions and weight with an attachment) with a 1 ton like your dually.

Except when nearly empty and on flat ground it may be too much to tow with a ToolCat however. The smaller sizes would be towable but then not suitable to transport the unit itself. If you do not need to road-transport dirt, gravel, etc. then a good size flat bed in the 16 to 20 ft range and 10 to 12K GVW would be a good choice to transport the TC and attachment or two.

There are a number of much less expensive dumping "farm" trailers and wagons that might be a better choice for use around your property.

Unless you really need to transport the machine & attachments to different locations, you may be best off getting the dealer to pick up & deliver the machine for service or repair as needed (some will do it for free for a specified period) rather than have 3 to 4 grand tied up in a seldom needed road trailer. Buy another attachment instead!

CRJCaptain · Nov 15, 2005

Hi Chris, and welcome to TBN...

I've owned my Toolcat since 2003 and it's performed admirably on all the tasks I've performed thus far. In the summer that's mostly mowing, brush cutting and heavy lifting. In winter it's snow removal with a bucket and angle broom, and spreading salt with a hitch-mounted spreader.

When I first started lurking around TBN I was initially drawn to the PowerTrac forum, and almost bought a PT 1445 until I discovered the Toolcat and demo'd one on my property.

A few thoughts after a couple years of ownership...

I like the fact that I can easily rent the attachments that I don't use frequently enough to own (couldn't do this with a PT).

I have a lot of experience mowing and brush cutting with the Toolcat on my property, and all previously expressed concerns by others regarding the Toolcat's mowing capabilities can be disregarded. The only unusual thing about brush cutting that you have to watch is the aforementioned overheating due to chaff collection on the radiator. The simple solution is after you've worked a few hours (usually when it's time to refuel), simply raise the lift bed, and spray the chaff out with a garden hose...no pressure washers. It takes two minutes, and is really only required if you've been slogging through some waist-high weeds for a couple hours.

The other major advantage of this machine that no one's mentioned thus far is the superior Bobcat dealer support. On three separate occasions now I've had my local dealer maintenance department call to say that they were sending out a field maintenance person (no charge) to do some modification due to a historical issue that has been identified. This is in effect fixing a problem before it occurs! Go over to the Powertrac forum and read some of the issues that those guys deal with regularly... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Anyways, if you have any questions for any of the owners here regarding issues relating to the Toolcat, feel free to ask...we love to help out.

Regards,

Dean

P.S. Your property sounds beautiful...

Gadgetnut · Nov 15, 2005

Hello everyone. I wanted to say I've enjoyed "meeting" each of you during this discussion. Let's just say I'm enjoying this entire process of learning (discovering) and I appreciate your input.

I am traveling tomorrow and may be away from email and internet for a few days into the holiday. The demo ToolCat was here all too briefly and was trailered back to the dealer this afternoon. But I got a great feeling for the machine and imagine I'll be putting a deal together by email before the end of the month. I'll keep you posted and be back with more questions as I proceed. Thanks again, everyone, and I look forward to many great discussions about ToolCat! Best from Gadgetnut /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif