Should I buy a new G-Series Toolcat 5600? Please help!

[trlbrkr]

No one has commented on your inquiry as to how well it handles sand/mud. With the weight of the Toolcat it certainly won't be as good as a side-by-side and if you got it bottomed out, you're looking for a tow but if you use common sense and stay where you have traction but are making some ruts -- will it handle it, churn it's way through or give up??? Comments please.

I have been going places in serious mud recently with snow/mud tires that I would never thought possible in the 8 years I have owned my TC. The thinner tires and ability to shed mud have given me new confidence in the machine. In the past I would use my tractor for feeding 10 round bales a week to the critters but I have not used it at all this winter? I even bought a battery tender for the tractor because of lack of use.

 

[DEWFPO]

After years of running my D with chains on the front tires I bought 4 studded snows and rims this year.

What size & brand tires did you decide on?

So I checked it out online and they are same parts number 668831?

What online source did you use to find Toolcat P/N's?

Thanks, DEWFPO

 

[trlbrkr]

I bought Hankook tires 225/75/16 they were recommended by my tire guy. More info on this link number 16 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/260864-toolcat-snow-blowing-tires-2.html
Parts for TC are on bobcat website but you need Internet Explorer to see them and no prices listed but excellent diagrams? http://www.bobcat.com/partsandservice/genuine_parts

 

[DEWFPO]

Thanks,

Yeah, I'm on a iMac using Safari and Firefox web browsers so I can't get to the parts page on Bobcat.

DEWFPO

 

[Tigger]

I owned a 5600 T a couple of years ago and it was a handy machine to have. Firstly - Traction is outstanding. We had contracts with 40 different companies to move snow and that 5600 earned its keep. We used it in pipe yards to clear between the racks where the big loader (JD 720 wheel loader). You back bladed and drove through your own pile 2 to 3 feet deep. Only had it stuck once and that's cause I broke through some hard crust and got high centred. Dang bucket didn't have enough back pressure to push me out. It is easy to operate and the cab keeps you comfortable all the way down to minus 35 although this cold puts a bit of strain on the metal. If you have a gravel drive your snow blower is going to throw some of that off to the side unless you set your skids up higher. 4 inches at least. Better off to get the blade although at a 1000 feet you'll be pushing a long ways. Hopefully you've got a dealer with a rental section so you can try either one out first.
I had two different sized buckets, a vee blade that had six ways of angling, all from the cab. The front buck and power arm will easily lift 1500 lbs and more but not recommended. The tilt box in the back was handy for packing stuff like shovels, extra sand and I found a 1/4 ton truck tool box that fit perfectly for carrying tow ropes, trailer hitches etc.

One suggestion, make sure that your dealer can service them properly and have them set up. I started having some mechanical problems (leaking hoses, dashboard computer and some minor electrical stuff like signal lights and brake lights) and I knew more about that machine that the service manager did. Get all the warrantee you can, even the extended warrantee if available. Repairs are expensive especially the drive components.

To finish a long story. I had some expensive hydraulic leaks and you can't service them because they are all located in the belly pan. I had them all repaired at the dealership then brought it home and put it up for sale. Sold it in 3 days on a local info mall and have missed it ever since. I've been watching auctions etc but haven't seen that many because they just don't make that many. The sales guys are reluctant to sell them in our area because everyone buys the skid steers and tracked models because they have more lifting capacity (and height as well) the Tool Cat only lifts to 7 feet and won't reach a tandem box.
Hope that helps in your decision. PS: there's an outfit over in Washington State that makes a great grapple fork for moving your wood and rocks for landscaping. The name is Anbo Manufacturing. ANBO Attachments - Grapple Rakes Introduction
OK, That's it.
Enjoy,
Tigger

 

[JTS51]

MIT;

Go for it. I run the piss out of my 5610D on some pretty uneven sites. If I could keep only one machine it would be the Toolcat.

 

[MIToolcat]

Thanks to everyone for the continued feedback and recommendations on the Toolcat. Tigger - thanks very much for your firsthand review of the machine. The fact that you've missed it since you sold it says a lot...

I've spent the last week looking at tractor options as an alternate to the Toolcat. I've looked at the Deere 3039R cab tractor, and the Deere 2032R open station tractor. The 3-series tractor is the smallest tractor Deere offers with a factory cab. If I went with the 2-series I would install a cab on it. I believe that either of these options would satisfy most of my needs.

With that being said, I still find myself coming back to the Toolcat. Everyone's comments have given me more confidence that the Toolcat will handle all the projects I have planned for it. My concerns about it's ability in snow and on grades have been laid to rest.

I hope to make a decision on the Toolcat order this week. I'll let you know what I end up doing. Thanks again for all of your responses!

Frank

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is something that you can't do with a tractor, but the Toolcat can do crab steering.

If you are in the slick stuff and slide close to a fence or a building, use 4 wheel steer to set the needed angle for the rear wheels, switch to two wheel steer to set the same angle for the front wheels, then drive away like a crab moves.

I use it to get close also.


Or to offset the brush hog.

 

[trlbrkr]

I have 10+ hours on my G now. Impressed with improvements over the D we had for 8 years.
I did pay extra $200- for turf tires and though disappointed with the amount of mud they pack and then spread over driveways and road-compared to the mud and snow tires that cleared quickly-I have gone through mud that even my tractors would have a hard time in. The $500-traction control should be standard on 5600 like it is on 5610. I have been able to stop the machine on ice-mud covered slopes then back up and try again with more speed to make it over rise, a real confidence booster.We make get snow tonight so I can test it plowing but I suspect I will be selling my new studded snows /rims next spring.
Was hesitant about spending $1000- for Bob-Tach but after one day switching between hay spear-forks and bucket I have no regrets.
The other nice change is no more uprights on inside of bed to catch gravel..
The ride is much better on my back and mechanic claims they improved shocks but exterior look same to me?
The motor has more torque at idle speed which I often use while running bales and loading feeders. It is quieter and the pickup bed runs much cooler than D motor. But my biggest surprise with this Doosan T4 motor was checking oil level and it looks fresh, like a gas motor? Now I only have 10 hours so it may get black like a typical diesel but I doubt it. We have a 2013 U35 excavator with T4 motor and oil is black?
Good job Toolcat engineers

 

[Xfaxman]

:thumbsup: Thanks for the update.