D Series- How much work can be done?

bevery · Jul 18, 2007

I am considering purshasing a new D series toolcat to maintain my 10ac. hobby farm. I will be semi-finish mowing 5ac. and moving dirt, gravel, feed, and snow. Does the toolcat have the ability to dig into the ground like a skid steer to level ground or dig hole? Is the toolcat limited to moving only loose materials? Is the highflow option a must have for mowing applications? Does anyone have any other option reccomendations. Thanks For the help- Brandon.

panther1400 · Jul 18, 2007

The high flow mode cannot be used with the mower for the toolcat. The high flow can be used with certain snowblowers and some brush cutting machines.
As far as moving loose materials it should do great, digging a hole will depend on how hard the ground is, the harder the ground is the longer it will take you but it will do it.

bevery · Jul 19, 2007

Panther- Thanks for the info. I was mainly concerned about the digging. I am planning on putting in a circle drive, dirt work for a foundation and pushing up some dirt for a rifle berm. Thanks Again.

k6dyc · Jul 21, 2007

As was mentioned previously, digging depends on the dirt. My C series digs well now that I put teeth on the bucket, but it certainly isn't as powerful as a bigger skid-steer. I've dug and leveled a lot of ground by taking small bites. It's like the old question, 'how do you eat an elepant?'... one bite at a time.

PAFarmboy1 · Jul 31, 2007

I guess I am in the same category! I have never heard the term "hobby farm" before but for want of something better I am in that same category with 33 acres. Having said that, I purchasef a C series toolcat last year, I now have a bucket, chipper, mower, snow blower, grappble fork and this fall will purchase a snow blade. It's a great machine, what is does, it accomplishes better that anything I have had on the farm. I currently own two Kubota Tractors which compliment the Toolcat. The chipper is awesome, so is the snow blower, nothing stops them. I currently have an overheating problem when running the mower and the a/c that I hope to solve soon. Mowing my 12 acres with the toolcat looks more like a golf course that fields. My only issue with the Toolcat are small nagging techinical problems.

bevery · Aug 6, 2007

Do you have any trouble leveling ground or getting traction with the toolcat? How would you compare it to a kubota tractor about the same size? I am just really on the fence about spending 40K on one machine when I could buy a used truck, kubota tractor and commercial mower all for the same price. Any info would be greatly appreciated. What brush hog do you have? Thanks Brandon

k6dyc · Aug 10, 2007

bevery said:
Do you have any trouble leveling ground or getting traction with the toolcat? How would you compare it to a kubota tractor about the same size?

I can't compare it to a Kubota but my TC replaced my JD tractor and it was a midsized 4WD. The TC outdiggs the JD hands down, expecially with the bucket teeth. Hope this helps you make a decision.

PAFarmboy1 · Aug 21, 2007

Bevery: I was and still am a die hard Kubota tractor fan. Currently I have a B7200 and L2500. Both dated models but extremely good performers. I began by wanting to upgrade my L2500 to a Super L series with a heated cab for winter. Then I became familar with the RTV900 which also impressed me. When I compiled the financial data on everything I wanted. My Toolcat 5600C was the better buy. I can tell you that I have no trouble leveling ground and absolutely no problem with traction. Just this weekend I moved 30 logs out of my woods on my farm to prepare them for sale and pickup. Some were over 25 feet long and 30 inches in diameter and the Toolcat pulled them over rough terrain with no problem. I have a chipper, blower, bucket, mower and utility grapple fork. I tow a trailer and will soon purchase a snow blade. My mower is a six foot finish mower which is far superior to anything I have ever used. I have 12 acres of grass. Having the mower out front results in a cut which is golf course grade. I did have an overheating issue when mowing. It was solved by the good experienced guys on this site. I never realized that because the radiator is under the dump bed, grass debris collects there. I keep it clean and my radiator cap tight and no more problems. Yes the Toolcat and attachments are expensive. However, I can tell you I think its far superior than anything I have ever used.

yellowdogsvc · Aug 29, 2007

bevery said:
Do you have any trouble leveling ground or getting traction with the toolcat? How would you compare it to a kubota tractor about the same size? I am just really on the fence about spending 40K on one machine when I could buy a used truck, kubota tractor and commercial mower all for the same price. Any info would be greatly appreciated. What brush hog do you have? Thanks Brandon

You need weight in the rear to dig in hard ground. The view to the bucket isn't great like a skidsteer but it is better than a tractor. If you are working in softer, level ground, the toolcat will work well. In hard ground or rocky ground, it isn't a good choice for digging unless you take the small bites.
I am using a 4n1 bucket with teeth to dig and dump or doze. It does okay as long as you don't overload the bucket and stay on level ground.

odleefs · Aug 29, 2007

I do not have bucket teeth as I wanted to see how the TC would do without before buying...it is now 2 years later and I still do not have teeth for the bucket. The TC can scoop up a heaped load of cruched stone with no problem. I also have not encountered problems with earth moving when digging into a hill, however, that said, traction is a concern when trying to scalp large passes of grass on the flats. During these times I need to increase speed before droping the cutting edge. Hope this helps.
Steve