First Post - 2015 5600 Toolcat

[dk8019]

Hi all, I've been a member here for a bit, bought my first compact tractor with recommendations from the site (2010 John Deere 3032E) which I bought new from Mutton Power due to a tip here. That machine held it's value unbelievably well, and I sold it last weekend, after purchasing a 2105 ToolCat to handle my finish mowing and snow blowing requirements from the comfort of a AC and heated cab.

I bought it at auction up in PA last week, it's a 2015 unit, and I believe it was from a campus environment. It is equipped with the high flow option, driving lights, traction control, keyless start, power bobtach, and a few other things I'm figuring out still I think. All and all it's a much quieter unit thanks to the Doosan engine I suppose, than a 2010 I had tried out a few weeks back, and I think I'll be relatively happy with it. the only down side is a little bit of surface corrosion under the bed, as I think this unit must have spent most of it's days doing snow blowing and salt spreading. There's no salt spreading in it's future, so I'll be spending the next few weekends with a wire brush, primer, and the proper Bobcat paint to get it all under control.

I've been reading everything I can find here on the forums, and I'll post more about how my ownership experience goes over the next few months.

Auction photo:


Last day of ownership of the 3032E and my wife, who learned to operate a tractor on it. She's somewhat upset that the Bobcat isn't a nice green color....

 

[ruffdog]

I too switched from a open station loader tractor to a toolcat (5610) last summer. It took a while to get use to having to open/close the door and lower the safety arm rest when getting in/out. The open air tractor is much easier if you have to do that much during your chores. The toolcat loader doesn't lift as high but I love the control, power, and bob-tach. The cab is quiet and the radio/AC/heat is easy to like. The all wheel steering really makes a difference in tight quarters. As time goes on, we like the toolcat more and more.

 

[dk8019]

I'll say one thing, Bobcat clearly didn't paint/finish the metal used on these fr work around salt! I've got all the paints and primers on there way, and undercoat material, but I would bet I've got north on 20 hours of wire wheel work ahead of me!

 

[dk8019]

Played around with it a bit this week, did manage to get it stuck during my first real work, moving a pile of clay to a low wet spot, did fine for the first 5 or 6 buckets, but I went in deep the 6th bucket and hung it up, and she sunk to the frame! I think basically anything would have been stuck here, the traction control was trying, and I had all four wheel pulling on and off. Just a little tug with the jeep from 60' away where it was nice and dry did the trick. I washed it up this morning with the pressure washer, and did some more wire wheel work on corrosion before getting to primer and paint tomorrow.

 

[dk8019]

The ToolCat has a new home. Found a nice guide on line in how to build an under deck storage location. We screened it in a bit as well. Need to move some more things around in there to make it all fit nicely, bu basically it's the ToolCat, the 3-pt PTO adapter and the 90" finish mower attached for the season, and then the snowblower. I need to slide the snowblower back a bit further. Also planning to dig it out a little bit more and level it nicely so there's more vertical height available etc. The ToolCat easily lifted all of the construction materials off the trailer and carried it to the back yard.

 

[Xfaxman]

Worked out great :thumbsup:.

 

[mmancuso13]

Excellent!

 

[dk8019]

Just a few updates. Not long after completing it's new home, the alternator bearing seized up and smoked the belt. New alternator order and a new belt, and that parts back together. While playing around with the alternator, I realized the AC clutch is shot, and that the AC isn't working. System had pressure which was good, but time for a new AC compressor, drier, etc. and at least one belt, as one of the hoses died while being removed. I've got all the parts in but the hose, which had to be ordered. With any luck I'll have functional AC again soon.

 

[dk8019]

One general note on the belts, has anyone changed the AC belt on their machine before? There's no tensioner, and there's no adjustability in the AC compressor mount, so I can't for the life of me figure out how the belt is put back on. Any ideas?

 

[dk8019]

Well, ran into another what I hope is a minor issue, but I couldn't sort it out, so I dropped it off at Frederick Bobcat this morning. I'm not getting any, or at best very low aux hydraulic flow. Seems to be generating plenty of heat, fluid levels are good, and it was changed along with the filters not long ago. No weird noises, clearly some engine loading when it's on, but no flow. We'll see if they can sort it out.