Toolcat by Bobcat

[toy1]

I would like to know if anyone has any experience with Toolcat. I was quoted 36k for a unit with a bucket, Heat and Air. I am looking for a machine that has greater travel speed than my compact machines. I have over 100 Acres of fields and woods to mantain. I would use it for light duty work keeping trails open etc.also use it for plowing in winter 1/4 mile driveway.

 

[Dargo]

I think they look like the ultimate mix of a tractor and a UV. The price is what keeps most recreational users (like me) away. I asked my local Bobcat dealer about one when I bought my RTV. It was awesome to drive. I just couldn't justify the cost; not that it wouldn't be worth it for what all it does. I just don't want to sell my tractor and RTV to get one. The dealer has sold only one unit so far he told me. The purchaser was a general contractor, and I hear that he punishes it and it still works great. If you get one, let us know about it!

 

[bczoom]

toy1

I don't have any personal experience with the Toolcat.
At $36K, do I assume correctly you were looking at the 5600 model?

Can you elaborate more about what you would use this for? I'm just wondering if a RTV with cab and plow would work for you. (Is the heat in the RTV actual heating or just defrost?).

Is a plow/cab/heat available in the Bobcat 2200? (which is a little smaller than a RTV).

Would you expect this machine to do all your snow plowing or do you figure you'll have to use something bigger for the deep snows?

 

[markct]

yea i saw the bobcat utility vehichles at the big E last week, they sure look nice but are mighty expensive, but seem like a very capable machine, much heavier duty than my kawasaki mule or any other utility vehicle. i see your in terryville, ct, i am right on the other side of the valley from you, in northfield, thomaston is right at the end of my driveway literaly! i dont know if you have ever seen in the winter the small "holder" brand machine that Osoweiki construction uses to clear the sidewalks, but they are a simular idea and weight/hp to the bobcat utility vehicles and they are great for moving snow, only difference is the holders are articulated so they steer somewhat different, i work for osoweiki const from time to time so i have had the chance to play with the little machines and they are great. but anyhow good to see someone from nearby

 

[flyingn]

If you want speed, you will NOT be happy with a Toolcat. I loooked at them also.. 18 mph top speed. Thje RTV does 25.. The Polaras does 40.. The toolcat is the slowest UTV out there.. The RTV can plow is **** off too And you will have $25 large left over...

I was just towing a 3300 lb cherry picker all day with mine.. Up steep hills and down thru dirt trails. Theres NOTHING like an RTV..

Frank

 

[bczoom]

Hey Frank

Not that it has anything to do with the Toolcat but where 'ya been? I almost started a new thread with a subject of "Where did flyingn go?".
Does your cab have a heater or just a defroster? I'm not familiar with the OEM Kubota cabs.

Brian

 

[chief5]

The thing that I liked about the Toolcat was the lift arm with the quiktach system. You can use any implement that a skidsteer can use: dirt bucket, mower, brush hog, grapple bucket, rotary broom, post hole digger etc.... and you can rent a seldom used attachment from the Bobcat dealer. Yes its not going to dig as well as a skidsteer but for most tasks it should do well. Plus it has all wheel steer. A/C is nice as well. Probably worth the 36K they're asking. I already have access to a Bobcat T300 with A/C so I went for the RTV as a less expensive option.

 

[flyingn]

hey Brian! I have been real busy and have not posted much lately.. I have heat/defroster. Had a chance to use it thursday too. Was raining all day and the cab fogged up bad. The defroster worked great. The left side cup holder is the defroser duct and there are 2 heater ducts pointed donw towards the floor. It fets REALLY hot fast in the cab too

Frank

 

[MarkV]

Hi guys, I don’t get into this forum often but thought I would add a few things about the Tool Cat. A buddy of mine is a BobCat dealer and let me spend some time in his back lot playing with one. It is an impressive machine that really doesn’t fit any of the standard categories. With the all wheel steer it will pretty much turn on its own foot print and work in amazingly tight spaces. You can also turn off the all wheel steer option when standard steering is what you need. The loader was fun to use with a joy stick control and seemed to have enough power for the type of work Toy 1 is looking for. I did switch front buckets which was very easy to do even for a first timer. The unit I drove had turf tires and lost traction pushing the loader into a dirt pile but that was to be expected. Seating and cab are very comfortable with good visibility and an impressive control panel. The a/c seemed powerful during our half hour drive. I remember thinking what a great machine it would be with a snow blower on the front and a salt spreader in the rear bed for snow removal in tight spaces. Two thumbs up rating from my short drive and even the wife enjoyed driving it until I told her the price.

MarkV

 

[Tomahawk000]

I recently purchased a toolcat 5600 with AC/Heat. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this machine ( it handles everything our 15acre horse ranch can throw at it)....but I think I have a lemon. It has been in for service for various issues 3 times already and I am still in my first month. (most issues are related to loose fittings and broken grease boots) The dealership (Loader Services) in Birmingham AL is great for service etc, but with a machine that has problems all they can do it try and fix them.

If you buy one of these, get the screen kit for the Radiator. If you don't, after 5 minutes of mowing, the radiator will collect so much dust that it causes the machine to overheat. I think this is a design flaw because the radiator is horizontally mounted under the dump bed. There is also a software bug that compounds the issue by not speeding up the hydraulic fan to compensate which they claim to have fixed. Raising the dump and washing out the radiator solves the issue, but after 5 minutes it will be mucked up again and you will be overheating. Bobcat says the screen kit will get you 8 hours before it needs a wash again.

My Toolcat is again currently in for service and I have a brand new Bobcat S185 they loaned me. (good service)

Attachments:
I have the Brushcat (AWESOME!) and the Mowing deck which works very well. I also bought a flat and a toothed bucket.

Overall, apart from the "lemon" issues, this is a great machine and I would still recommend it. I feel it is worth the price. (Just check the grease boots on the steering linkage and make sure you get the screen kit)