Bobcat Toolcat 5600 owner review

[npartist]

I've had skid steers/tractors in the past but got a toolcat about 1 year ago, here's a review of the features and specs. Overall handy machine but not purpose built. For me as a recreation land owner it suits me well, brush cutting/mowing, snow plowing, yard chores, firewood, etc. My favorite feature is I can do all those tasks with the family in the cab.

 

[Jim Nelson]

If I was 25 years younger I would be hot to trot. But no time machine so have to stick with my tractor.

 

[groundcover]

Nice review ! Would love to add a Toolcat to the toy box !

 

[npartist]

Probably my favorite things to do with the toolcat is mowing and plowing. I've had an old Bobcat/Clark 732 (gas ~32hp) and a 2004 Bobcat S185 skid steer before this Toolcat 5600. Toolcat cant lift as high or as much as the skid steer but cab comfort, ride, top speed, and versatility of the Toolcat outweigh those negatives for me. Another issue is traction... skid steers are no good in mud and a toolcat is no champ either but I notice a marked improvement with the Toolcat likely due to the longer wheelbase and the fact you can turn the wheels to get out of ruts.

Here's a video of it mowing including a neat feature of crab steering to mow along the field perimeter under branches.

 

[npartist]

Here I compare some of the specs and features of a Toolcat vs a Skid Steer and UTV/side by side.

 

[Hay Dude]

Nate,
Great vids.
Were the brush mower wheels available as a factory option?

 

[npartist]

Nate,
Great vids.
Were the brush mower wheels available as a factory option?

Hey, nope I didn't find any brush cutters with front wheels in my price range so I added them myself. Here are a few pics: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/420497-toolcat-s185-skid-steer-rzr-post5616091.html#post5616091

 

[ruffdog]

Having the 2nd seat is a major plus for me. My wife helps me plow snow....I run the toolcat and she feeds me cookies and hot cocoa. Before covid, my friend would drop off his 2 grand kids if he knew I was working. Them kids just loved helping me work.:thumbsup:

 

[npartist]

Here's some buying advice on a used Bobcat Toolcat 5600 including major changes over the years. I mispoke at the 1:11 min mark saying the older ones have independent front suspension, they do indeed have a solid axle (like my chart shows) but up front they have coil springs and links to locate the axles vs the leaf springs in the rear.