Is there anything good about the toolcat?

[Dargo]

I know the concept is quite different, but how does the Toolcat compare to the Ranger in traveling through muddy and hilly terrain? I don't do any trail riding or any high speed runs on fire roads, but do need to get around my 40 acres full of gullies, woods, water traps etc. My plan is to sell or trade in my Ranger on the toolcat.

jmf

Yikes! As you know, the Ranger is fantastic on the trails. The Toolcat will feel sluggish, but have a surprising amount of power and will ride better than you will expect. Ground clearance will suffer and you will sink in the gooey spots. It would be tough for me to say that you'd be happy with the replacement. They are similar, but so different. Bugs aside (we covered that issue), the Toolcat is very well built like the Polaris and will be a great unit. I just don't know what your expectations are. I was very impressed with the trail abilities of the Toolcat simply due to it's 4 wheel steering. It's not a zero turn radius machine, but it makes for a blast mowing with the optional front mower deck. How often can you take someone with you when mowing and carry on a conversation with them while not yelling. Also, how often can you take someone with you mowing and be safe in doing so.

You need to see if you can get a dealer to let you use one on an extended test drive. I did that, but didn't end up buying. I wanted to replace my tractor with the Toolcat, but without a 3 pt. hitch and the 540 PTO, I would have to replace too many implements to make it reasonable for me. Good luck!

 

[theoshin]

i use the toolcat to get around 200 acres on good roads. it definately does not ride as smooth as the ranger. two very different machines - the ranger wieghs about 1200lbs, toolcat around 5000lbs. the toolcat is built to lift 1500-2000lbs out front so it needs to be very stiff. it is not a recreational vehicle - it is for work. in mud the toolcat will get stuck much easier. it does a good job when the ground is solid with its awd. it will get over bumps but is much less forgiving than the ranger.

i replaced a gator 6x4 with the ranger because i wanted a winter also vehicle with a better ride.

 

[scesnick]

If you are having concerns about it why not just buy a used skid steer and keep the ranger to haul in or even buy a Japanese mini truck to haul stuff. You would have the ability to haul loads around while someone else is using the skid steer. Not to mention it is kind of hard to load a toolcats bed with its own bucket.
This would save you a small fortune AND you would have a nice hunting vehicle with heat !!!



Japanese Mini Trucks

 

[theoshin]

HAVE YOU SPENT TIME IN A SKID STEER? - I HAVE.
THEY HAVE VERY POOR VISABILITY EXCEPT STRAIGHT AHEAD.
ALSO THE TOOLCAT DEFINATELY RIDES MUCH SMOOTHER THAN A SKID STEER WITH ITS SUSPENSION. IT IS VERY, VERY EASY TO SEE OUT OF 360 DEGREES AND HAS 2 SEATS. MY SON OFTEN COMES ALONG. THE CAB IS MUCH, MUCH EASIER TO GET IN AND OUT OF VS CLIMBING INTO A SKID STEER OVER YOUR ATTACHMENTS. ALSO THE TOOLCAT GOES 18MPH. I FREQUENTLY USE BOTH THE BUCKET AND TOOLS THROWN IN THE BACK ON THE SAME TRIP.
THE TOOLCAT IS MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE ALL AROUND THAN A SKID STEER. I WOULD NOT WANT TO MOW MY ROADS FOR 3 HOURS IN A SKID STEER - YOUR BACK WOULD TAKE A BEATING!

WHEN I WANT TO MOVE SOMETHING I USE MY 3500 DUMP TRUCK - THE TOOLCAT WORKS GREAT FOR LOADING.

THERE ARE ONLY 2 DOWNSIDES TO THE TOOLCAT - IT IS EXPENSIVE AND RELATIVELY NEW.

TS

 

[scesnick]

yes I have operated a skid steer many times and you are right about everything you say about them. But I think the original poster was just looking for other options other than the Toolcat.. We have 3 toolcats here at work and they are nice machines but for alot of bucket work I would opt for the skid steer. Or even a backhoe for that matter.

 

[theoshin]

i agree. no machine is perfect for everything. the toolcat is an all around compromise which is really best suited for grounds maintenance. it will not dig as well as a skid steer but can clean a 1/4 mile driveway much faster and more comfortably. when i needed to do serious landscaping at the house i had my dad bring his case350 bulldozer - he graded 14 yards of dirt in 3 hours - no skid steer could do that. i used the toolcat to move the piles from the house to the dumptruck - it was very speedy for that purpose.
each machine has its plus and minuses.

ts

 

[jmfox]

I am enjoying the candid replies regarding the attributes and limitations of the toolcat. My dealer advises me that he will have the D-Series in about a month and I am looking forward to a demo. I would like to keep both machines but it seems a bit extravagant for my budget and I only have one spot in the barn. BTW, has anyone actually measured the height. The specs say 81 inches and that is all I have through my entrance.

jmf

 

[theoshin]

VERY GOOD QUESTION - I HAD MY GARAGE DOORS (2) RAISED SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HITTING WITH THE CAB IF ANY SNOW/ICE BUILT UP NEXT TO THE DOOR. THE TOOCAT HEIGHT IS 80-81INCHES.

IS YOUR DOOR OPENING REALLY 81 OR IS THAT WHERE THE DOOR IS WHEN OPEN? THAT IS A BIT OF AN ODD DOOR OPENING. USUALLY THEY START AT 7FT. OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN RAISE THE DOOR EVEN MORE IF THE OPENING IS NOT THE HIGHEST POINT WITH THE DOOR OPEN NOW. ANY DOOR INSTALLER OR YOURSELF CAN ADJUST THAT. A 7FT OPENING WOULD BE FINE. MY DOOR OPENING WAS 82-83 INCHES WITH THE TRIM AND I DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT CLOSE. I ALSO NEEDED MORE HEIGHT FOR THE USED DUMP TRUCK I BOUGHT. I PUT IN A 8FT DOOR.

TS

 

[jmfox]

They are barn doors so I get the full amount of the opening. It is 78 inches now and I can only open it another 4 inches before I hit the bottom of the 2nd floor.

jmf

 

[BobRip]

They are barn doors so I get the full amount of the opening. It is 78 inches now and I can only open it another 4 inches before I hit the bottom of the 2nd floor.

jmf

Can you dig down and lower the floor?