1/28/2006
One Way to Add An Electric Winch
It didn't take long to find out that a Toolcat can get stuck! The first time was when I was facing downhill to dig out a large rock with my combination bucket. It didn't take long to dig myself into a hole I could not back out of. I finally got out by using the bucket to lift the front wheels and then filling the hole under the wheels with rocks. When it came time to recover some large logs that were at the bottom of a steep slope I decided I needed a winch.
I found I could mount a Trailer Hitch Receiver Winch Mounting Plate (etrailer.com) on the hitch receiver that comes standard on the Toolcat.
After checking various 4X4 websites, I decided to buy a Milemarker PE8000 12 volt electric winch from WinchDepot.com. I considered a hydraulic Milemarker winch but decided I wanted a winch I could also use on other vehicles. (At the time I was unaware there was a optional kit to add rear hydraulics to the Toolcat. I might have gone hydraulic if I had known.) Anyway, the Milemarker electric 8000 pound rated line pull winch is about $160 cheaper than a 9000 pound hydraulic Milemarker winch.
As delivered the Milemarker winch has a control box mounted on top of the winch. In this positon the winch has to be removed before the Toolcat cargo bed can be raised for access to the engine. To avoid this interference I bolted two pieces of angle iron to the Winch Mounting Plate and mounted the control box next to the winch motor.
Rather than rely on the standard Toolcat battery to power the winch, I mounted a second heavy duty battery purchased at Costco behind the left rear wheel. The plastic battery case sits on a Hitch Receiver Mounted Service Step (etrailer.com) in a frame fabricated from aluminum angles. The square tube on the Service Step is inserted in the square tube that runs across the back of the hitch receiver frame. To allow for quick removal of the winch, I cut the standard winch battery cables and installed a pair of Anderson/SMH 175 amp SB connectors from Solarseller.com. This eliminates opening the battery box to disconnect the winch cables.
To balance the charging of the two batteries, I installed a BatteryLink ACR (Automatic Charging Relay) made by Blue Seas Systems in the Toolcat battery compartment. I removed the driver's seat to make the job easier.
I found I could mount a Trailer Hitch Receiver Winch Mounting Plate (etrailer.com) on the hitch receiver that comes standard on the Toolcat.
After checking various 4X4 websites, I decided to buy a Milemarker PE8000 12 volt electric winch from WinchDepot.com. I considered a hydraulic Milemarker winch but decided I wanted a winch I could also use on other vehicles. (At the time I was unaware there was a optional kit to add rear hydraulics to the Toolcat. I might have gone hydraulic if I had known.) Anyway, the Milemarker electric 8000 pound rated line pull winch is about $160 cheaper than a 9000 pound hydraulic Milemarker winch.
As delivered the Milemarker winch has a control box mounted on top of the winch. In this positon the winch has to be removed before the Toolcat cargo bed can be raised for access to the engine. To avoid this interference I bolted two pieces of angle iron to the Winch Mounting Plate and mounted the control box next to the winch motor.
Rather than rely on the standard Toolcat battery to power the winch, I mounted a second heavy duty battery purchased at Costco behind the left rear wheel. The plastic battery case sits on a Hitch Receiver Mounted Service Step (etrailer.com) in a frame fabricated from aluminum angles. The square tube on the Service Step is inserted in the square tube that runs across the back of the hitch receiver frame. To allow for quick removal of the winch, I cut the standard winch battery cables and installed a pair of Anderson/SMH 175 amp SB connectors from Solarseller.com. This eliminates opening the battery box to disconnect the winch cables.
To balance the charging of the two batteries, I installed a BatteryLink ACR (Automatic Charging Relay) made by Blue Seas Systems in the Toolcat battery compartment. I removed the driver's seat to make the job easier.
TractorByNet Toolcat Forum
Yesterday I found a treasure trove of Toolcat information in the Toolcat Forum on the TractorByNet.com website. This seems to be a very active forum with much factual information regarding the Toolcat. For example, I discovered there are three different versions of the Toolcat. The first is the A series produced from early 2003 to mid 2004. This version originally had lighter weight axles than the two later series. Series B included an optional radio in the headliner, a new seat raising system for access to hydrostatic components, and repositioned rear cargo tiedowns. Apparently, there is also a dealer installed optional rear PTO (Power Take Off) available for this and the C series. The C series which was first produced September 6, 2005 has an improved lift arm and tilt mechanism.
11/19/2005
My Toolcat
My Toolcat is a model 5600 Utility Work Machine. It has a 46 HP Kubota diesel engine, all the standard features plus the Deluxe Road Package and a Cab Enclosure with heater and air conditioning. It came with a 62 inch wide dirt bucket. I also bought a used 60 inch combination bucket with teeth that allows dozing and lifting rocks, logs, etc. as well as better digging performance than the standard bucket.Because the machine was a demonstrator with 350 hours on it, I was able to buy it for $30,000, not including sales tax, which is quite a bit less than the list price. The used combo bucket cost $1,350.
This is a great machine! In the past I have owned a number of small tractors with various attachments including a backhoe and front end loaders. None could do what this machine is capable of. In addition, it is very safe to operate. The operator and one passenger sit in comfortable seats completely enclosed and protected from the weather.
The Bobtach attachment system makes it a snap to switch attachments. Much easier than a three point hitch on a tractor.
And my local dealer has a wide variety of attachments for rent at reasonable prices. So I can rent an auger for $50 a day or soil conditioner for $105 a day. If I don't mind waiting a few days, there is no charge for delivery and pickup of the rented attachment.
Of course, after nine months of owning my Toolcat, I have learned a few things. Including some actual and potential problem areas that other owners might want to consider. I'll be covering what I have learned in future postings and your comments or opinions are invited.
