Rip - My mistake on using your message to respond to Brian. You hit the important point on the nailhead and that is getting one on my property for a demo by my spouse and myself. I know that the CT dealership for my area has a used one for sale which would mean to me they should be able to loan it out for 3-7 days. I have not had any dealings with the Bobcat dealer yet but I'm hoping for the best.....Thanks.
Toolcat for Spouse
- Thread starter Haoleguy
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Rolando
Platinum Member
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- Aug 20, 2004
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- 586
- Location
- Northcentral Florida
- Tractor
- Bobcat Toolcat High Flow Turbo C-series
I'll let my brethren to the north speak about heating, but here in central Florida the A/C had no trouble keeping up with 95°+ weather. And my understanding is that the C series has improved HVAC with larger ducts. The added sound deadening may also contribute to better insulation.
Rolando - Thank you for the link. Grape vineyard sprayers are a very different beast with a very high level of atomization and coverage. I like the idea of a pump switch inside the cab. Does one still need to wear protective mask & clothing inside the cab or is the driver hermetically sealed?...
Rolando
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
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- Location
- Northcentral Florida
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- Bobcat Toolcat High Flow Turbo C-series
Gary,
You might try something that I did and found helpful. With the name of your dealer (or dealers) you plan to talk to, you could start a thread in the Construction Equipment forum (lots of Bobcats there) like "Info on 'dealer name' Bobcat" or "Bobcat Dealer Info for CT", and ask what kind of experience folks have had with their dealers. They may not own Toolcats, but people should be able to tell you how good the service and parts departments are and how they are to deal with.
You might try something that I did and found helpful. With the name of your dealer (or dealers) you plan to talk to, you could start a thread in the Construction Equipment forum (lots of Bobcats there) like "Info on 'dealer name' Bobcat" or "Bobcat Dealer Info for CT", and ask what kind of experience folks have had with their dealers. They may not own Toolcats, but people should be able to tell you how good the service and parts departments are and how they are to deal with.
Rolando
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 586
- Location
- Northcentral Florida
- Tractor
- Bobcat Toolcat High Flow Turbo C-series
This is out of my league, but I would think that you would still need to wear protective gear. I'm sure that there's air recirculation going on, and while the filter will keep out the dust, I don't think it could keep the chemicals out.
BrianSouthernMD
Silver Member
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- May 16, 2005
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- Southern MD
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- 2005 Bobcat Toolcat 5600 Turbo 56hp, 2003 DR Field & Brush Mower 17hp, 1981 Cub Cadet 582 16hp
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Brian - Thanks for your comments now and with the previous threads you have started and contributed to. Care and feeding is an important aspect along with dealer support. Bobcat has essentially been a equipment dealer for contractors...how have you found their support for private landowners? How well does the cab AC and heating work in the temperature extremes?....Cheers. )</font>
I'm sure Bobcat dealers will vary, but I have found mine very responsive to nontraditional customers, not despite their lack of consumer/hobby farmer focus, but possibly because they are used to satisfying demanding construction contractors. Contractors expect dealer responsiveness and bottom-line effectiveness to keep their jobs moving forward and their small or large construction businesses profitable. (Bobcat has to stay up with Caterpiller's level of service, which is high.)
For example, my dealer has multiple salesmen who divide up the dealer's territory by geography and serve as TRUE field representatives. These people spend most of their time on the road with customers and prospects, delivering parts and equipment orders and demos (right along with dedicated pick-up and drop-off employees out of rental dept.) right to the customer's job site whenever something is needed. They are truly servicing their accounts as well as selling. And the dealer's manager has been available to me and seems to support his field reps' customer service emphasis.
You're not expected to need to go to the shop in person. They actually respond to faxes, e-mail and cell phones. Parts and accessories I've ordered since initial deliveries have been delivered personally to me on a timely basis. (And not just 9-5, at least with my field rep.)
In addition to the half-dozen plus mechanics at each of dealer's two physical sites, my Bobcat dealer has several well-equiped mobile mechanics who go to the customer for repairs, esp. those repairs really needed right then. And, I secured a promise of free Toolcat service pick-up and delivery to/from the dealer's shop for the next three years, and not just for warranty work. I don't need a trailer!
When individual property owners contact Bobcat dealers, they're usually pretty serious buyers, so are hopefully treated with respect and attention. Toolcats are high-end compared to many CUTs and I think Bobcat wants to expand its customer base to that target group beyond construction and landscaping outfits. So I've been pleased SO FAR with my Bobcat dealer, even though I'm not in the construction business! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for the AC, it worked just fine during some very hot days in Aug & Sept. It has adjustible output, three levels for the fan, etc.
I'm sure Bobcat dealers will vary, but I have found mine very responsive to nontraditional customers, not despite their lack of consumer/hobby farmer focus, but possibly because they are used to satisfying demanding construction contractors. Contractors expect dealer responsiveness and bottom-line effectiveness to keep their jobs moving forward and their small or large construction businesses profitable. (Bobcat has to stay up with Caterpiller's level of service, which is high.)
For example, my dealer has multiple salesmen who divide up the dealer's territory by geography and serve as TRUE field representatives. These people spend most of their time on the road with customers and prospects, delivering parts and equipment orders and demos (right along with dedicated pick-up and drop-off employees out of rental dept.) right to the customer's job site whenever something is needed. They are truly servicing their accounts as well as selling. And the dealer's manager has been available to me and seems to support his field reps' customer service emphasis.
You're not expected to need to go to the shop in person. They actually respond to faxes, e-mail and cell phones. Parts and accessories I've ordered since initial deliveries have been delivered personally to me on a timely basis. (And not just 9-5, at least with my field rep.)
In addition to the half-dozen plus mechanics at each of dealer's two physical sites, my Bobcat dealer has several well-equiped mobile mechanics who go to the customer for repairs, esp. those repairs really needed right then. And, I secured a promise of free Toolcat service pick-up and delivery to/from the dealer's shop for the next three years, and not just for warranty work. I don't need a trailer!
When individual property owners contact Bobcat dealers, they're usually pretty serious buyers, so are hopefully treated with respect and attention. Toolcats are high-end compared to many CUTs and I think Bobcat wants to expand its customer base to that target group beyond construction and landscaping outfits. So I've been pleased SO FAR with my Bobcat dealer, even though I'm not in the construction business! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for the AC, it worked just fine during some very hot days in Aug & Sept. It has adjustible output, three levels for the fan, etc.
Spiffy
Veteran Member
Been so busy almost forgot I was following this thread! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Anyway, I'm not a true expert by any means but know just enough to pass my ag chemical cert. If you're shooting herbicides, the cab alone should be good protection; if recirculate is an option on the AC definately use that when spraying. Especially considering the fine atomization you're after, a little common sense with the wind and your travel direction will go a long way. As far as masks, I have my own opinion here: done wrong with pesticides is much worse than none at all: i.e. builiding up residues and potentially providing an even finer atomization to your lungs. For anything that really scares you SCUBA /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif is about the only true clean air, but 1. if it scares you that bad don't use it /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif and 2. your TC's cab should be a close second (with common sense on wind etc.) for desired effect anyway not absolute purity. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Also, anytime working with pesticides, wear clothing that can go right to the wash or garbage....with anything that may pentrate the skin (from pesticides to fiber glass) I like (actually hate) a cold shower immediately on dropping the clothes, then wipe off and enjoy a really long hot one.
Back to my reason for checking in...when do we get pictures? In action!? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Anyway, I'm not a true expert by any means but know just enough to pass my ag chemical cert. If you're shooting herbicides, the cab alone should be good protection; if recirculate is an option on the AC definately use that when spraying. Especially considering the fine atomization you're after, a little common sense with the wind and your travel direction will go a long way. As far as masks, I have my own opinion here: done wrong with pesticides is much worse than none at all: i.e. builiding up residues and potentially providing an even finer atomization to your lungs. For anything that really scares you SCUBA /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif is about the only true clean air, but 1. if it scares you that bad don't use it /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif and 2. your TC's cab should be a close second (with common sense on wind etc.) for desired effect anyway not absolute purity. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Also, anytime working with pesticides, wear clothing that can go right to the wash or garbage....with anything that may pentrate the skin (from pesticides to fiber glass) I like (actually hate) a cold shower immediately on dropping the clothes, then wipe off and enjoy a really long hot one.
Back to my reason for checking in...when do we get pictures? In action!? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Spiffy - Thanks for the perspectives. Interesting thought to check on cab recirculation. The right filter in the mask makes a big difference. However, you and I have different views on SCUBA air. Many years ago in Palau SCUBA tanks provided to me were converted fire extinguishers and it was clear that the fill compressor exhaust was in the vicinity of the intake. The result...dive headache. I hate to admit that this is not an uncommon occurence hence no guarantees even with SCUBA air. In the coming week I will be asking my local Bobcat dealer(s) for demo time. When that happens I will be carrying my dcamera. Thanks again....