Thinking of Getting a Used Toolcat

[SmallTexasFarm]

My wife and I have a 25 acre farm and a business based out of our farm that requires receiving pallets of goods (never over 1,500 lbs). For quite a while I was looking at skid steers so I could use forks to unload the pallets, and do some light dirt work, pull young mesquites and move round bales. Recently I've been thinking that a Toolcat may be a better fit. We have a 2003 Polaris Ranger that's on it's last leg which is used to take care of the animals and run to our gate which is a 1/2 mile away. Seems like a win if we could combine the two pieces of equipment.

I would get a Gen D/F or a little newer to avoid some of the axel issues that I've read about. My question to all of you that have lived with Toolcats, is if this makes sense. They're expensive and from everything that I've been told, they're issue prone and expensive to fix (but what isn't?).

Also, what is too many hours for a used Toolcat? I was looking for one with under 2,000 hours but I know that it's not the length, it's how it was used (or something like that).

 

[Xfaxman]

I would get a Gen D/F or a little newer to avoid some of the axel issues that I've read about. My question to all of you that have lived with Toolcats, is if this makes sense. They're expensive and from everything that I've been told, they're issue prone and expensive to fix (but what isn't?)

We upgraded from Series F to Series G to get the Traction Control option.

No axel issues with either. The bad news is the mice like to chew on the wiring.

 

[ruffdog]

My wife and I have a 25 acre farm and a business based out of our farm that requires receiving pallets of goods (never over 1,500 lbs). For quite a while I was looking at skid steers so I could use forks to unload the pallets, and do some light dirt work, pull young mesquites and move round bales. Recently I've been thinking that a Toolcat may be a better fit. We have a 2003 Polaris Ranger that's on it's last leg which is used to take care of the animals and run to our gate which is a 1/2 mile away. Seems like a win if we could combine the two pieces of equipment.

I would get a Gen D/F or a little newer to avoid some of the axel issues that I've read about. My question to all of you that have lived with Toolcats, is if this makes sense. They're expensive and from everything that I've been told, they're issue prone and expensive to fix (but what isn't?).

Also, what is too many hours for a used Toolcat? I was looking for one with under 2,000 hours but I know that it's not the length, it's how it was used (or something like that).

The toolcat is WAY more than a UTV as it weighs 6000 lbs and can lift close to 3000 lbs under the right conditions. It is between a skid steer and UTV but built HD like the skid steer. Like skid steers, there is lots of stuff packed into a tight package so working on them is like a SS. If you search Xfaxman, he has a bunch of good threads and pictures on what a toolcat can do. I have taken mine on serious hills in woods to get firewood and am happy how it handled itself. I also am happy with the build quality and controls. Just to run to your mailbox and back, I would be leaning towards a golf car though.

 

[Interceptor]

Similar situation here, 12ac hobby farm with a small business, and 1/2 mile driveway to the mailbox. Over the past several years I've had C, D, and F series Toolcats. I've always had some type of UTV as well. My recommendation is to get a Toolcat if you think you need it, but keep the Ranger too. The Ranger is faster, quieter, much better ride, easier to get in out, etc.. I would never consider the Toolcat as a replacement for my Ranger.

IMO the F series is the pinnacle of Toolcat development. They had the largest engine, and the last of the mechanically injected engines. There is a noticable difference in power between the D series (2.0 turbo) and the F series (2.6 turbo) even though the advertised ratings are nearly the same. The pumps, motors, axles, suspension, etc., are exaclty the same from 2007 through 2026. The only major changes have been the engines, and the redesigned instruments/controls in the UW56. G series went to a 2.4 Doosan engine because Doosan bought Bobcat at that time. They are computer controlled common rail injection to meet new emissions regs. Common rail offers no real advantage to the user, maybe a bit more powerful and a little quieter, but more picky about fuel quality and more costly to repair. I wouldn't avoid buying a G series or UW56, but I also wouldn't pass up a D or F series just because it's older. Traction control would be my only incentive for buying a newer one. It was available on the late F series, but uncommon. The multifunction joystick also became standard at some point, but it's avaialble as an upgrade for the older models. Buy a newer one because it's in better condition or has lower hours, don't buy it because it's better... it's not.

My F series had 4900 hours on it when I sold it. It ran and operated perfectly, it was just rusted out.

 

[laurencen]

had 2 Toolcats, first was a series A had it 4 years, we are on a acerage so used for many tasks main one was snow removal, our driveway is over half mile long, for pallet work it was horrible every couple inches you lifted had to correct tilt, it like most had rust issues being used for snow and salt spreading, in 2020 purchasde a new one, worth noting I sold it for more than I paid, new one is improved for lifting but still needs tilt as you lift a load, other issue is seeing the fork position when unloading a truck, could be improved removing the back rests on the fork setup.
The think I like is being able to carry stuff in the box, it will use any bobcat attachment made though but it lacks overall lift height but will carry a second person, not done much digging with it because I have a skidsteer for that and most other work a mini excervator.
in over 5 years only issue was when the fuel forze blowing snow, bobcat had a issue with the recirculating valve that is supose to keep fuem from freezing which it did not, it was under waranty and they replaced it.
first year I replaced the industrial tires with a set of heavy duty bobcat brand turf tires, for me it made a vast difference when using in snow and soft ground