Buying new or used?

[Sigg99]

Hello all, my wife and I bought a little acreage in northern BC, and we're looking at buying a 5610. I've been lurking here for a few months, learning as much as I can.
My question is, what do you think is the break point between buying new or used? There are hardly any used tool cat 5610's around, but one has come up for sale, basically just off warranty with about 140 hrs on it. Used by a school district. The dealer hasn't seen it for any warranty issues, so how much cheaper do you think it would be than a new one? Basically, you're just getting an almost new machine minus warranty.
We'll be using the tool cat to move round bales, plow the driveway, clean up manure from a few horses. I think it's probably more machine than we need, but I really like the visibility, and think it would be a lot easier for my wife to operate.
Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated
Cheers,
Dan

 

[DEWFPO]

If you can get it for a reasonable price go for it. It's hard to beat the utility, versatility and comfort. I agree, it's a lot easier on the wife to drive a toolcat than my previous tractor especially when operating the snowblower.

DEWFPO

 

[radman1]

Really low hours. I would try 25% off list. A new one can probably be bought for 12-17% off list. Most 5610's come nearly fully optioned.

 

[SSdoxie]

The 5610 has only been out for a couple years, thus used are few and far between. I can't imagine a school district over working or damaging one so you would be getting the same machine as new only with the engine broke in and won't have to worry about the 50 hr. PM. I think Radman1 is pretty close on the pricing so is a matter of buying new, getting warranty, but taking that big 1st year depreciation or going with a good used one.

PS; Wife will love it and you can always ride along to give her operating tips until she throughs you out. :laughing:

 

[SixHoeBob]

I would get a tractor with a loader and a cab. A toolcat is more of a truck than a bulldozer.

 

[radman1]

I would get a tractor with a loader and a cab. A toolcat is more of a truck than a bulldozer.

I have a JD 4520 cabbed CUT and Toolcat 5610. For most tasks, I will take the Toolcat over the CUT. The CUT has R1 tires and better traction in mud. The CUT has more pto hp than the TC. Otherwise, the TC wins for most tasks.

 

[hardhat]

They are super machines. Very versatile. My kids love it. They went to sleep in it the other day while I was moving some dirt around with it. Plus my daughter likes driving it and my wife uses it. Get a set of pallet forks. They are super handy as well.

 

[Sigg99]

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice, I just sent a wire transfer for the machine. Am very excited, and the dealer has arranged to get it shipped to about 6 hours away from us in the next week or two. I can hardly wait.
Anyway, just a question - when did the f-series come out? Ours is a 2010, not that it really matters now. Also, we're going to get a snowblower, and I'm wondering which is the best one for the tool cat? Is it best to get the bobcat one? I can hardly wait for it to get here. We bought a set of used forks, and a 62" bucket with it, my father in law who lives about 1/2 hr away has a bush hog we can use, so all I think we need in the near future is a 3pt hitch blade for the driveway, and a bale fork. Any idea which is best? The 3pt hitch one or one for the front? Just wondering about visibility with a round bale.
Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[radman1]

The bobcat blower will connect right to your 7 pin electrical harness and save you some hassle. Your TC then can move the chute by using the buttons on the console. You have high flow, about 27 gpm, so get a blower that can take advantage of the flow. Your 5610 has 3 pt and a 3 pt blower will be vastly cheaper to buy. Your pto is uses the TC's high flow so you will still have that advantage. I have a 60" rear blower but I would go 66-72" to clear the tires better. Downside to rear pto is looking backwards. I use an snowblade or pusher on front and rear blower. Makes a wicked combination for moving snow. Front snowblade/pusher and rear snow blower will probably be cheaper than just buying a bobcat front blower. (A rear blade and front snowblower is also a great combo).

I have moved a few round bales using my pallet forks. The visibility is very poor out the front. You won't want to drive far. Kind of risky driving with bale in the air to see underneath. You might want to give the pallet forks a try to see if it is ok.