I first saw a Bobcat Toolcat at the Farm Progress show in Decatur
Illinois a few weeks ago. I was quite impressed with the
machine. As you probably read in my "almost a new owner" post, I
was looking to replace my Kaw Mule. I had ordered a RTV but
nearly a month later the dealer still has not recieved several add-ons
like a roof and windshield. I was getting impatient.
Monday an info packet arrived from Bobcat, There is a dealer in
Springfield, IL., and I had to go that way on a trip yesterday, so I
thought that I'd stop in and test drive the machine.
The machine was a 5600 T, with the heated and A/C cab, and aux
hydraulics. I drove the machine but did not go any earthworking
as it had rained and the back lot was muddy. I did not want to
mess up his new machine. The machine was the same one that was at
the show and had been in inventory since May. It was still dusty
from the show.
The salesman had offered to bring it to my place for me to try it for the weekend, but I declined.
If you compare the specs, the toolcat is ~20% larger, heavier (1830 vs
4820), and roughly 3X more expensive than the RTV after adding a couple
of basic attachments.
I wanted to see where the capabilities overlapped. The Mule
served me well and was well utilized. In my case hauling wood,
tools, people, taking the dog for a ride around the lake, running down
the road to the neighbors, pulling a trailer, moving the generator,
things like that.
The toolcat would do those jobs, a bit slower (18 vs 25 mph) but where
the toolcat shines are the tools. What was of prime
interest to me was the 6' mower. I cut now with a Toro
Groundsmaster with a 6' mower. It is about 13 years old and it
still is a great machine but is showing it's age. I can cut
around a 6 inch circle. Very manuverable. Unfortunatly the
Toolcat could not even come close to that. I was not able to put
a deck on the test machine, but even with the 4 wheel steering I am
estimating a minimum cut diameter of 6 feet.
Harvesting fire wood in the rough terrain could get interesting.
The added 3000 lbs of weight, on 27 X 10.5, higher pressure
tires, I could see sinking this machine if the ground was the least bit
soft. I think that the RTV is better in the woods in an off road
situation. Now I have not explore tire options. That may
resolve this issue.
In my opinion, you really need to be utilizing the powered tools to
justify the machine. If you have that requirement to fill this is
a great piece of machinery. As hard as I tried, I did not think
that I could justify the extra capital for flexibility that I could not
fully use at this time. I have a case Backhoe that digs, lifts,
and moves materials great. If I did not have that I'd buy the
Toolcat. For now I'll stick with the RTV purchase.
I thought that I'd share my observations with the group in case someone
else is thinking about this machine. I also resolved to look at
the situation in a year or two. My situation might change as I
may have to move within that time period.
I called the Kubota dealer and he said that a few more parts had come
in but it would be a few more days. This is harvest season and I
am sure that he has to address harvester and combine breakdowns as a
priority.
Bob
Illinois a few weeks ago. I was quite impressed with the
machine. As you probably read in my "almost a new owner" post, I
was looking to replace my Kaw Mule. I had ordered a RTV but
nearly a month later the dealer still has not recieved several add-ons
like a roof and windshield. I was getting impatient.
Monday an info packet arrived from Bobcat, There is a dealer in
Springfield, IL., and I had to go that way on a trip yesterday, so I
thought that I'd stop in and test drive the machine.
The machine was a 5600 T, with the heated and A/C cab, and aux
hydraulics. I drove the machine but did not go any earthworking
as it had rained and the back lot was muddy. I did not want to
mess up his new machine. The machine was the same one that was at
the show and had been in inventory since May. It was still dusty
from the show.
The salesman had offered to bring it to my place for me to try it for the weekend, but I declined.
If you compare the specs, the toolcat is ~20% larger, heavier (1830 vs
4820), and roughly 3X more expensive than the RTV after adding a couple
of basic attachments.
I wanted to see where the capabilities overlapped. The Mule
served me well and was well utilized. In my case hauling wood,
tools, people, taking the dog for a ride around the lake, running down
the road to the neighbors, pulling a trailer, moving the generator,
things like that.
The toolcat would do those jobs, a bit slower (18 vs 25 mph) but where
the toolcat shines are the tools. What was of prime
interest to me was the 6' mower. I cut now with a Toro
Groundsmaster with a 6' mower. It is about 13 years old and it
still is a great machine but is showing it's age. I can cut
around a 6 inch circle. Very manuverable. Unfortunatly the
Toolcat could not even come close to that. I was not able to put
a deck on the test machine, but even with the 4 wheel steering I am
estimating a minimum cut diameter of 6 feet.
Harvesting fire wood in the rough terrain could get interesting.
The added 3000 lbs of weight, on 27 X 10.5, higher pressure
tires, I could see sinking this machine if the ground was the least bit
soft. I think that the RTV is better in the woods in an off road
situation. Now I have not explore tire options. That may
resolve this issue.
In my opinion, you really need to be utilizing the powered tools to
justify the machine. If you have that requirement to fill this is
a great piece of machinery. As hard as I tried, I did not think
that I could justify the extra capital for flexibility that I could not
fully use at this time. I have a case Backhoe that digs, lifts,
and moves materials great. If I did not have that I'd buy the
Toolcat. For now I'll stick with the RTV purchase.
I thought that I'd share my observations with the group in case someone
else is thinking about this machine. I also resolved to look at
the situation in a year or two. My situation might change as I
may have to move within that time period.
I called the Kubota dealer and he said that a few more parts had come
in but it would be a few more days. This is harvest season and I
am sure that he has to address harvester and combine breakdowns as a
priority.
Bob