towing a tc

[DEWFPO]

The service manager/mechanic came out today to work on my TC and I asked him about towing the TC. He said if it's on ice or packed snow, you can drag it to the side of the road without concern for damage as long as the tires slide on the ice/ snowpack. You obviously can't do it on dry ground but he said he taps into the hydro brake line circuit and uses a porta-power pump to pump up the brakes and releases them. He said it only takes about 300 psi to release the brakes. He didn't mention anything about relieving the hydro pressure.

DEWFPO

 

[J_J]

The service manager/mechanic came out today to work on my TC and I asked him about towing the TC. He said if it's on ice or packed snow, you can drag it to the side of the road without concern for damage as long as the tires slide on the ice/ snowpack. You obviously can't do it on dry ground but he said he taps into the hydro brake line circuit and uses a porta-power pump to pump up the brakes and releases them. He said it only takes about 300 psi to release the brakes. He didn't mention anything about relieving the hydro pressure.

DEWFPO

If your TC is the " D " model, I have the pages out of the service manual, and what I posted, is the correct procedure and the only safe way to protect the hydrostatic transmission. The fluid has to circulate through the unit, and if you don't think so, just pump up the brakes like he said, and try and drag it for a mile of two.

If you have a smooth ramp/solid metal ramps, you could also squirt some grease in front of the tires as someone pulls the unit up on a trailer. In this situation, the unit is dragged up on the trailer with the tires not moving. You know, like if you want to steal one. Just slick up the ramp, drag and go.

Those repo guys have a neat trick, they have a small half dolly with four wheels, and when a car is on the curb between other cars, they slide the dollies on, squeeze the arms together and the tires raise up, and they can push that car where ever. They usually only get it out enough for the tow truck to hook up and go.

 

[Spudgunner]

I have a "D" and its service manual. The single page regarding towing simply says, "Call your Toolcat dealer for the correct towing procedure." This SM is for Toolcats having SerNumb A0W111001 and above. The p/n for this service manual is 6904792 (rev 2-08).

JJ, are you sure you have a "D" service manual??

 

[J_J]

I have a "D" and its service manual. The single page regarding towing simply says, "Call your Toolcat dealer for the correct towing procedure." This SM is for Toolcats having SerNumb A0W111001 and above. The p/n for this service manual is 6904792 (rev 2-08).

JJ, are you sure you have a "D" service manual??

Yes sir, I am sure. The service manager went out somewhere and brought a CD that had the info that I posted. If I had a way to copy this info, I would. The serial numbers are for TC models A002 11000 -- A003 11000

The title of the pages is Towing the Utility Work Machine.

There are three pages from the 5600 " D " model Dealer Service manual. Pages 33, 34, and 35 of 713 pages.

You should not doubt me, for I don't bull shi* a whole lot. I went and got this data just for you guys. The Dealer is just right up the street. The pages also say Dealer Copy - Not for resale. So apparently they have a manual with detailed description of the unit from front to back. I will bet that CD he brought out has the data for all models.

 

[Rara Avis]

Yes sir, I am sure. The service manager went out somewhere and brought a CD that had the info that I posted. If I had a way to copy this info, I would. The serial numbers are for TC models A002 11000 -- A003 11000

The title of the pages is Towing the Utility Work Machine.

There are three pages from the 5600 " D " model Dealer Service manual. Pages 33, 34, and 35 of 713 pages.

You should not doubt me, for I don't bull shi* a whole lot. I went and got this data just for you guys. The Dealer is just right up the street. The pages also say Dealer Copy - Not for resale. So apparently they have a manual with detailed description of the unit from front to back. I will bet that CD he brought out has the data for all models.

JJ just remember no good deed goes unpunished...

I appreciate your posts......especially your Power-trac solutions...

 

[Spudgunner]

Here's the bottom line:
What's going on here is that we are getting info from Bobcat dealers, regarding the towing of a "D", that is mutually exclusive. They can't both be right. My technician said he had a set of these bolts and that NO WAY would they work on a "D" while JJ's dealer is saying that they will. JJ's dealer and my dealer cannot both be correct.

(It's frustrating that two supposedly authoritative sources (the dealers) would have such opposed views.)

There is no way in the world I'd purchase these expensive bolts for my "D" without knowing for sure if they'd work. (However, I might purchase a set if my dealer was 100% ok with me returning them for a refund if they didn't work.)

Caveat Emptor.

 

[J_J]

Here's the bottom line:
What's going on here is that we are getting info from Bobcat dealers, regarding the towing of a "D", that is mutually exclusive. They can't both be right. My technician said he had a set of these bolts and that NO WAY would they work on a "D" while JJ's dealer is saying that they will. JJ's dealer and my dealer cannot both be correct.

(It's frustrating that two supposedly authoritative sources (the dealers) would have such opposed views.)

There is no way in the world I'd purchase these expensive bolts for my "D" without knowing for sure if they'd work. (However, I might purchase a set if my dealer was 100% ok with me returning them for a refund if they didn't work.)

Caveat Emptor.

Please re read my post about the serial numbers and write down the pages and reference and ask your service manager if he has a CD with the model D 5600 using the pages I stated. Best thing to do for an owner of a TC, would be to go down to the dealer with the serial number of his machine and get the exact instructions for towing his particular TC.

I believe I have given you all the data that I had.

 

[notachance]

A0W1 serial prefix is the D series. A002 & A003 are C series. D & C have completely different axles. D series has independent suspension and C series has a solid axle. You cannot use the bolts to back off the brakes on the D series.

 

[Rip]

I agree the bolt method may sound perfectly reasonable for an engineer sitting at his desk, but out in the "real world" it is another matter. The wheel dollies with 4 small castor wheels may work on level pavement, but how often do breakdowns occur there?

Check out Tire Skates at AWDIRECT.com (Item TS420 @ $59.99/pair - get 2 pair). They are a one-piece low-friction plastic material that should work for all series TCs under a pretty wide range of conditions and be fool proof. I am probably going to get two sets before I need them in the middle of the road !

AW is a towing (as in wrecker) accessory outfit that has lots of useful stuff for tractor folks such as tie-down straps, chains, tool boxes, warning & work lights, etc, etc.

Good luck - Rip

 

[J_J]

A0W1 serial prefix is the D series. A002 & A003 are C series. D & C have completely different axles. D series has independent suspension and C series has a solid axle. You cannot use the bolts to back off the brakes on the D series.

You could very well be right. I will check back with the service manager tomorrow.