Traction Not Great

[melgibson]

I have a 2008 Toolcat and have been disappointed with the machine's traction. For instance, I also have a Kawasaki Mule- when it is in 4 wheel drive, low gear, and differential lock it will go anywhere. The Toolcat, on the other hand will easily spin one or more wheels, will slide sideways, and doesn't act like it has 4 wheel drive. My Land Rover LR3, with street tires, can climb steeper, bumpier hills in muddy conditions better than the Toolcat.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this all the Toolcat can do?

 

[Mtngrancher]

I have a 2008 Toolcat and have been disappointed with the machine's traction. For instance, I also have a Kawasaki Mule- when it is in 4 wheel drive, low gear, and differential lock it will go anywhere. The Toolcat, on the other hand will easily spin one or more wheels, will slide sideways, and doesn't act like it has 4 wheel drive. My Land Rover LR3, with street tires, can climb steeper, bumpier hills in muddy conditions better than the Toolcat.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this all the Toolcat can do?

I don't disagree that this is not the best traction machine. One trick I have found is taking it out of 4WS. That will allow the locking differentials to function and give you better traction when the maneuverability is not required.

 

[DEWFPO]

I don't disagree that this is not the best traction machine. One trick I have found is taking it out of 4WS. That will allow the locking differentials to function and give you better traction when the maneuverability is not required.

The same here. When I start loosing traction on the steep, slippery routes, I take it out of AWS and the traction is noticeably better. Also, if the attachment is on the ground like a snowblower, I'll pull it up a little to get more pressure on the front tires.

DEWFPO

 

[radman1]

Your answer lies in this thread. Trencher tires.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/136050-what-tires-you-guys-running.html

 

[DEWFPO]

Those trencher tires are not all that different then what I currently have. What I really need are chains.

DEWFPO

 

[radman1]

DEWFPO

Do you have the standard skid steer type tires on your TC? If you do, the traction of those in mud/sand is poor. SS tires don't do well in mud. Same for R4 tires on CUTs. I have had a few skid steers and the TC tires are no different in the mud. The trencher tire will have much more traction in the soft stuff. There is a reason you don't see R4 tires on trenchers-can't pull. If snow/ice is your problem, then the trencher tire won't help much and chains are the answer.

 

[DEWFPO]

DEWFPO

Do you have the standard skid steer type tires on your TC? If you do, the traction of those in mud/sand is poor. SS tires don't do well in mud. Same for R4 tires on CUTs. I have had a few skid steers and the TC tires are no different in the mud. The trencher tire will have much more traction in the soft stuff. There is a reason you don't see R4 tires on trenchers-can't pull. If snow/ice is your problem, then the trencher tire won't help much and chains are the answer.

Radman1 your correct, I've got the standard skid steer tires on my TC. My traction problems involve packed snow, ice and slopes.

DEWFPO

 

[melgibson]

I have a hard time thinking it is just the tires, although I'm willing to try that. For instance, I just moved a heavy trailer down a winding slope during the rain. The toolcat couldn't do this.

My Land Rover LR3, a street machine with street tires, did this fairly easily when the controls were set on mud/ruts and steep hill. BTW, my Land Rover has leather seats, an 8 speaker surround sound system, front/rear passenger HVAC, 8 passenger capacity, 26" river fording capacity, 8,000 pound towing capacity, and all the anti roll, all wheel brake and air safety bags you could want. A true 'billy goat.' In fact, I can pull the toolcat on a trailer to the dealer with my LR3.

That being said, it doesn't have a hydaulic boom and 40+ attachments.

Can you help me. The toolcat, if it gets into trouble, will just spin a wheel. It doesn't feel like it has four wheel drive (though the specs say it does), and clearly the differential doesn't feel like it is locked.

On my property, I need better traction. Any suggestions? Could I have gotton a lemon, or perhaps a component in the sensor system has failed early?