safety tsb

[theoshin]

called by dealer - my "d" (build date nov 07) has a safety recall. software update needed to prevent tc from NOT slowing down/stopping after releasing drive peddle. need to get that - with the snowblower on i could take out a garage door pretty quick!

my d also had issues with wheels not staying straight in awd - dealer replaced master cylinder for drive - steers much easier now and wheels stay in alignment much better. been using the blower - the tc really excels in snow removal.

ts

 

[DEWFPO]

My 5600 is a brand new 2009 and I've had it for exactly 30 days and I got a Safety Notice today by Certified Mail from Bobcat.

A rapid, intermittent short to ground of the switched battery power wiring could cause the machine's controller to become unresponsive to operator input.

This could cause the following 2 issues :

1- Machine Travel - could continue based on the last operator command (forward or reverse) and the operator will not be able to stop the machine travel using the Drive pedal or the Brake pedal. The Parking Brake, Travel Direction Control Lever or Toolcat Interlock Control System (TICS) Arm Rest will not stop the machine travel.

2- Front Auxiliary Hydraulics - optional Rear Auxiliary Hydraulics or optional Power Take-Off - could continue based on the last operator command and the operator will not be able to stop the attachment and/or implement functions using the corresponding controls.

If this happens, kill the machine with the KEY SWITCH or the STOP button on the optional keyless keypad and contact your dealer.

The fix : The dealer will upgrade the software at no charge.

DEWFPO

 

[theoshin]

thx,
i have not got the written notice yet- just a phone call from dealer

how do you like the sb200? do you run it in high flow?

ts

 

[DEWFPO]

I've used my SB200 quite a bit the last couple of weeks. My observations....

- I wish I had gone with the SB240 (taller case, larger auger and larger fan).

- The SB200 doesn't throw the snow very far but it eats whatever I put in front of it. In fact I am disappointed at the short distance throw of this unit. This has been mainly light, dry snow.

- The horizontal auger spins fairly slowly even at high rpm with the high flow turned on.

- i find that the snow will 'pile-up' in front of the auger and I have to slow down to give it time to eat what I have pushed in front of it.

- The snow coming out of the chute piles up on the flat top portion of the blower case because of the chute design (open to the bottom) when throwing to the sides.

- Plugging in the 7 pin (attachment Control) connector automatically tells the Toolcat to go into high flow mod (if available).

- I switched off the High Flow to see if it made a difference and it did, the auger and the fan spin slightly faster with the High Flow turned on.

DEWFPO

 

[Spudgunner]

Thought I'd chime-in. I agree with DEWFPO on all counts, but I did want to make a comment about the short casting distance. My TC had some sort of bad relief valve on the hyd system that was only allowing the system work at a max of 2400 PSI. This was repaired by the dealer and the casting distance issue was markedly improved as was speed and lift capability on the boom.

The video of the TC (or was it a SS?) on the BC website blowing snow doesn't seem to be representative of real-life performance.

The hyd problem was discovered after I asked the dealership to perform a flow/pressure test.

 

[theoshin]

I've used my SB200 quite a bit the last couple of weeks. My observations....

- I wish I had gone with the SB240 (taller case, larger auger and larger fan).

- The SB200 doesn't throw the snow very far but it eats whatever I put in front of it. In fact I am disappointed at the short distance throw of this unit. This has been mainly light, dry snow.

- The horizontal auger spins fairly slowly even at high rpm with the high flow turned on.

- i find that the snow will 'pile-up' in front of the auger and I have to slow down to give it time to eat what I have pushed in front of it.

- The snow coming out of the chute piles up on the flat top portion of the blower case because of the chute design (open to the bottom) when throwing to the sides.

- Plugging in the 7 pin (attachment Control) connector automatically tells the Toolcat to go into high flow mod (if available).

- I switched off the High Flow to see if it made a difference and it did, the auger and the fan spin slightly faster with the High Flow turned on.

DEWFPO

interesting

i have a sb240 72" - i use it in low flow. in high flow i have to really slow down as the tc does not have enough hp to keep up - loose rpms even with hp management off. only time it works well is down hill. in low flow i never have snow pile up. i have been told by multiple sources the 200 is a better fit (including engineers at erskine). you are the first to say you wish you would have gone with the 240 - it is 1200lbs. my dealer is willing to help out by finding another dealer to trade mine in for a new 200. i am debating. it works great in low flow - we just got 5-6" of medium wet snow and i could go about 6-7mph on the driveway clearing it nearly to the asphalt. in high flow i could only go about 2.5mph (too slow). my only concern is that in low flow it does not throw the snow that far. debating if it is far enough.

thx
ted

 

[DEWFPO]

Looks like I'll be having the dealer check the hydraulic pressure. My old 22.5 HP tractor with a 50" blower threw the snow 2x as far as this Toolcat with a 72" blower, 56 HP and high flow. The dealer needs to come out to re-flash the software for the safety recall and replace the auger (makes a clunking sound as it goes round).

Thanks, DEWFPO

 

[Spudgunner]

Looks like I'll be having the dealer check the hydraulic pressure. My old 22.5 HP tractor with a 50" blower threw the snow 2x as far as this Toolcat with a 72" blower, 56 HP and high flow. The dealer needs to come out to re-flash the software for the safety recall and replace the auger (makes a clunking sound as it goes round).

Thanks, DEWFPO

Both the 200 and 240 have a semi-trianglar piece of heavy gauge sheet metal that is attached to the main blower housing in front of the fan but behind the auger. The lower "point" of the triangle, over time, can bend out towards the auger. When this happens, the auger will start rubbing on the stuck-out part. It makes kind of a clunking sound. I just rebend mine..but eventually it'll fail due to the (re)bending.

 

[DEWFPO]

Both the 200 and 240 have a semi-trianglar piece of heavy gauge sheet metal that is attached to the main blower housing in front of the fan but behind the auger. The lower "point" of the triangle, over time, can bend out towards the auger. When this happens, the auger will start rubbing on the stuck-out part. It makes kind of a clunking sound. I just rebend mine..but eventually it'll fail due to the (re)bending.

Mine made the noise from day 1 before I blew any snow with it. The clunking sound is coming from the auger where it mounts on the motor. The mechanic said they should have caught it before they delivered it so he ordered a new auger. We'll see if that solves it.

Thanks for the tip on the plate.

DEWFPO

 

[timm9]

I'm stunned to hear that your high flow TC/Blower combo is working better in low flow. My Blowers origionally did not meet my expectations and the dealer ended up changing out my blower motors to a different model motor. Made a world of difference. As previously posted, each blower is built to match the particular machine's pressure and GPMs. I suspect you are having a pressure/flow problem. The high flow (if properly matched) should well out perform the right motor in low flow mode.

You might also check your hydraulic filters, the large one under the bed near the rear axle in particular. Remove the filter and pour the fluid into a pan or container. Look for copper or brass colored flakes in the fluid. Just before discovering our drive motor issue last winter we were starting to see a reduction in performance (fan speed, blower performace, and road speed) just before the filters plugged.