Toolcat comments and questions

[Rolando]

I just posted this on the Kubota forum because it was initially a comparison to a Kubota tractor. But I'm migrating toward a Toolcat and was thinking that this may be a more appropriate place to post for this kind of equipment. The Toolcat is not really a Utility Vehicle, but in the absence of a Bobcat or Toolcat forum, I guess this will have to do.

We tried out the Toolcat yesterday. I brought a general contractor friend who is also an underground sub with a lot of experience with heavy equipment. He was very impressed with it. Here are some of my initial thoughts:

Turning with 4-wheel steer almost felt like it was spinning on it's axis. The Toolcat felt very nimble.

The control for the FEL was very smooth. With no previous experience, and after a few trys I was able to move the loader and bucket without much jerking. The wrist support for the control was helpful in reducing arm strain. I can see that you could spend may hours of operation without fatigue.

Noise levels were pretty reasonable, speaking in the cab with the doors closed did not require effort. The cab felt very roomy, and the expanse of glass down as well as up and around was amazing. You got a great view of the work area and leaning forward you could almost see the front edge of the bucket on the ground.

And not being a diesel person, I was pleasantly surprised that there was very little diesel smell or clacketing noise from the engine.

Now I need to start shopping it around. There aren't many Bobcat dealers around here so I may only be able to get two quotes. The Ocala, Orlando and Tampa dealerships all have the same ownership. That only leaves me Jacksonville. It's interesting that fairly large cities like Gainesville and Tallahassee don't have any dealerships, and a huge market like the Tampa Bay Area only has one.

I don't suppose anybody has list pricing for the base and options? It's kind of hard to determine how good a deal you're getting without knowing where you're starting from.

Also, I noticed on the Bobcat web site that they are now making a "Power Bob-Tach" that will let you connect and disconnect implements without ever leaving the cab, except when aux. hydraulics are needed of course. That would be quite a time saver if you're changing implements a lot, which I will. But it's only approved for G-series loaders. Does anybody know if this will become available for the Toolcat any time soon?

 

[BrianSouthernMD]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just posted this on the Kubota forum because it was initially a comparison to a Kubota tractor. But I'm migrating toward a Toolcat and was thinking that this may be a more appropriate place to post for this kind of equipment. The Toolcat is not really a Utility Vehicle, but in the absence of a Bobcat or Toolcat forum, I guess this will have to do.
......
Also, I noticed on the Bobcat web site that they are now making a "Power Bob-Tach" that will let you connect and disconnect implements without ever leaving the cab, except when aux. hydraulics are needed of course. That would be quite a time saver if you're changing implements a lot, which I will. But it's only approved for G-series loaders. Does anybody know if this will become available for the Toolcat any time soon? )</font>

When you're comparing a Toolcat to other compact equipment, use the General TBN forums. For Toolcat-specific questions, it's tough to fit it into a single current forum. It is so much more than just a utility vehicle, and it is now looked at more as a compact attachment carrier and tractor with its use of skid-steer-type front implements and an optional rear PTO. And it is closer to a compact tractor/equipment so it's not appropriate either to lump it in with all Construction Equipment, or large Ag equipment, or lawn & garden, etc. The other forum possibility (until we get our own Bobcat Toolcat forum) is Other Brands/Equipment: All Other Brands.

I don't know if the Power Bob Tach option is coming soon for Toolcat or not. But I find the current quick attach set-up A-OK. You attach the lift arm to the attachment while inside the tractor, and go outside (or enlist a helper) to simply confirm you've attached it properly and to manually pull two levers down to provide added protection. You have to go outside anyway to attach the hydraulic hose couplers when auxilliary hydraulics is being used.