toolcat c purchase

[craneman13]

looking at a low hour, 451, 05 c toolcat. any opinions good or bad. I know they are not as strong as the D series but the price and additional attachments, and low hours make me want to jump. just asking for opinions. as I know everyone has one. new to this site. thanks in advance. Mike

 

[laurencen]

Mike, I picked up a used 2004 believe A series last year, price was right and just went thro the service shop, in all I have put a couple hundred hours on it, the AC belt is off so I figured no AC only issue thus far is the common break out force is weak, I added the wired remote cable to allow the use of the Vee blade and snowblower

 

[craneman13]

thanks for the info. my only real worry is the hydro drive motors. when they go your in trouble to the tune of several grand. low hours are making me want to get the machine. that and 5 accessories. but anything before the D version im told could be trouble. that is why im reaching out for others thoughts. Mike

 

[laurencen]

my machine had 3000 hours, it came from a company that had regular service, from reading motors are failing in way less time than 3000 hours, I never asked the company if motors had been replaced, at this time they work as designed, I use a Bobcat snowblower, bobcat Vee blade, buckets and forks, again only issue I have is breakout force noticeable when I use the high dump bucket full of snow if wedged into the snow pile,

 

[timm9]

If it truly is a 2005 it may actually be a 'B' series. Either way I would strongly suggest you check the drive motors. With such low hours it may not have had the issue yet.

 

[craneman13]

thanks, tim, definatly a C. confirmed by serial number. going to look/drive this weekend and taking my mechanic with me. hope I can bring it home but we will see.

 

[laurencen]

do these drive motors have any tell tale signs they are on the way out? anything in particular I should be looking for or notice?

 

[timm9]

laurencen,

All three of the drive motor failures started with the hydraulic filter(s) plugging with particles from the disintegrating sleeve in the drive motors. Once alerted we did notice a decrease in power and performance.

 

[SSdoxie]

When looking at this machine crawl under and read the part number on the motor tag. Number you want to see is 6691012 (new design/replacement motor). #6679963 is motor that had brass liners in the piston group subject to low hour failure.

 

[laurencen]

touch wood it has almost 3400 hours and hopefully the motors were replaced, have to crawl under and see motor part number, has to wait till spring now

thanks for the info

 

[craneman13]

going to take the leap and buy. it looks to be in great shape and the price is right. Mike

 

[zooklm1]

Mike,
Did you buy the C? Did it have updated motors? Would you share how much you paid? I am trying to figure a value for a similar age 5600 that is not running due to failed drive motor.
Thanks,
Lee

 

[laurencen]

Lee, how many hours are on the machine

 

[zooklm1]

Not sure. I only had a brief discussion with the guy when I was purchasing a non running ASV Rc30 tracked loader from him. I almost have the RC30 running. Once I get everything sorted, I will be using it for about a year and then selling it when I am done.
I saw some posts on TBN where people paid 7-8,000 to have pumps replaced a few years ago. Given that sitting is not good for hydraulics nor mechanical equipment, it is very likely that more than the pumps probably need attention.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[craneman13]

I did buy it. honestly cant determine if it has old motors or not. they are definatly the original motors. this machine had 460 hours on it, came with a snow blower, mower and a chipper. paid 37 for it. have only put about an hour on it in the last week but it seems to be in good shape. no lag from slow to fast which I was told was a symptom of bad motors. when it warms a bit I will be crawling under to see if I can find a number on the motor. got my fingers crossed they are the new ones. Mike

 

[IdahoToolCat]

I did buy it. honestly cant determine if it has old motors or not. they are definatly the original motors. this machine had 460 hours on it, came with a snow blower, mower and a chipper. paid 37 for it. have only put about an hour on it in the last week but it seems to be in good shape. no lag from slow to fast which I was told was a symptom of bad motors. when it warms a bit I will be crawling under to see if I can find a number on the motor. got my fingers crossed they are the new ones. Mike

if they are the origina;s you will be replacing them to a tune of 7500

 

[craneman13]

from all I have read here, and there is a lot, its a total crap shoot. some have said they were using 3 vendors for the motors and only 1 had issues. some say early 2005 were bad and later were not. so I really don't have a good answer. this weekend I will be pulling the hydro filter and cutting it open. that will be the real test. brass in the filter and im buying motors. no brass and I think I will feel better. I do have an ace up my sleeve. brother works for a bobcat dealer. hope if I have to buy motors I can get them at his discount. time will tell. stay tuned.

 

[craneman13]

Just looking at some old posts and thought I would update. been 3 plus years with the machine. love it. cant complain about the purchase. does EVERYTHING I have asked it to do. its not a digging machine but I didn't buy it for that. love to mow now in the nice cool cab. crab steer makes the hills and pond edge a breeze.
2 years in I did have a front motor failure. found a place here in Maryland that rebuilt the motor for $900. installed and back in action in less than a week. have made a few modifications that make using it easer. all in all I have recommended the machine too several people. even took it over to a friends house and let him do some mowing with it before he purchased his. i am sold. would buy a new one if the chance comes up.
this forum has been a great help. keep it up.
Mike

 

[laurencen]

craneman, for what it is worth I too had a 2005 model, it worked well for the 4 years I owned it, never had the motor issue though 4 wheel steer was problematic at times as was the diff lock, this spring traded it for the 2020 model, its night and day how they work and Im yet to pick up a mower for it, the only issues thus far is the top speed, the 2005 would do 20ph this new one tops at 15.5 mph, I have hopes it will improve with new software of use, dealer wants 6 months to see revised software from Bobcat.