Toolcat vs CUT

[IslandTractor]

I'm surprised to hear that a new Toolcat can be had for 31K. I recall people quoting closer to 45K-50K but maybe that included a few pricy implements.

 

[odleefs]

I do agree that tractors excel at pulling things, but that is the inherent beauty of the front mounted attachments of the toolcat (We never get a sore neck from constantly turning around!)

Tractors also have an advantage over rough terrain as it is smoothed out by larger tires, but this can be a liability on steep terrain. Bobcat addressed these issues to a degree in its D series by offering 29" tires, soft side wall turf availability, and independent suspension - all while maintaining a relatively low center of gravity to venture onto terrain that few tractors would dare.

being a former owner of a 85 hp 10,000lb tractor i will pipe in.

for pulling or dragging anything i will take the tractor - including pulling a mower in a pasture. they are built to run their pto's all day long dragging around 3pt attachments. cab, air cond, air ride seat and big tires equal better ride to me - let the tires run lower pressure for mowing. also could pull a bigger brushhog. for disking or ground prep for agriculture take the tractor. for pulling out a stuck vehicle, ect. the tractor. for everything else i take the tc. my new tractor cost the same as a new tc.

 

[radman1]

I got to drive a new D series today for about 15 minutes. WOW! The turning is fantastic and sharper than I expected. Lift and hydrostat are very smooth. Very easy to feather lift slightly to raise/lower or curl. A bit more cab noise than my JD 3720 but very acceptable. Dealer said 3 point version is suppose to be available in first quarter of 2008. He was told it will not have a cargo box. I was told by someone else it would be an option, but who knows. The model I drove had the extra wide turf tires. 15" wide and looked really sharp. Most commonly sold tire for them is the extra wide turf tire. They sold 6 units in the past few weeks. This dealer is in the top 15% for toolcat sales in the country. He said they had almost no issues with the D series. Described it as "bullet proof".
They were working on a A series. The D has a considerably higher step into the cabin than the A,B or C series. It could use a small accessory step for easier access. I have a feeling, the 3 pt version maybe in my future. I will probably somehow put some type of cargo box on the back if it is not available.

 

[radman1]

That should be 12.5" wide turf tire in the earlier post.

 

[Spudgunner]

As per my posts in earlier threads, I was looking for a machine that would support a beefy snowblower as my biz is expanding in that area. My Kubota BX-23 was simply not up to the new tasks (it's a great SCUT, BTW). I compared a Toolcat 5600T (D) with a new Kubota 5740HSTC. Both, IMO, are super nice tools and I do see quite a bit of overlap between CUT's and Toolcats.

Prices between a loaded Kubota 5740HSTC and slightly used TC that I found (120 hours) were within $3000 of each other (with the TC being the more expensive) and I'm in the process of purchasing the TC.

Bottom line...either tool would work for the increased snow removal jobs that I'm seeing. The TC is a better choice, however, for work in the landscaping field, IMO, with lesser impacts on customer's environments. Also, I have the little Kubota for dragging small stuff around...which is a tractor's forte after all.

I also checked-out skidsteers and my final choice there was a New Holland L-185...but, as I indicated, I ended-up with a TC.

 

[Rolando]

I have a feeling, the 3 pt version maybe in my future. I will probably somehow put some type of cargo box on the back if it is not available.

Radman, have you heard something more to make you think that a bed, even a non-dumping one, won't be available for the 3pt hitch version? I don't care about the dumping function, but I definitely need the bed for carrying tools.

I remember that the picture UFM82 posted here didn't have a bed. I was hoping the lack of any kind of bed was because it was a prototype.

 

[radman1]

Radman, have you heard something more to make you think that a bed, even a non-dumping one, won't be available for the 3pt hitch version? I don't care about the dumping function, but I definitely need the bed for carrying tools.

I remember that the picture UFM82 posted here didn't have a bed. I was hoping the lack of any kind of bed was because it was a prototype.

I was told by a dealer a couple of days ago that it would not have a cargo box. However, someone else above the dealer level told me it would be an option. It really needs a cargo box even if it doesn't dump. (See my latest post under "Toolcat 3 pt is coming".)