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Since its inception six years earlier, the Toolcat had been billed by Bobcat as more of a work tool than the compact utility vehicles it's often compared to. With the most recent introduction of the new 5610 model, the message to the market is being reinforced.
"Now that we've put the PTO and three-point hitch on it, they're truly seeing separation of the Toolcat from their typical Ranger or Mule. They're seeing it more as a working machine than a utility vehicle per se," says Rob Gilles, marketing manager with Bobcat. "It's definitely different than anything else out there."
The Bobcat Toolcat 5610 is built on the same frame as the 59-horsepower, four-wheel-drive Bobcat Toolcat 5600 now available in a D-Series model, but it features a three-point hitch and hydraulic power take-off (PTO) for rear implements. Since inception, the Toolcat has met with solid market success in the building and grounds market, explains Gilles, but less so in the agricultural and landscaping markets for which it was originally thought to be well suited.
"Through customer visits and dealer visits, we've found out the ag market still felt there was a use for that type of vehicle, but they wanted a way to carry their three-point implements," he says, "and we found that same scenario in the landscape market. That's what sent us back to the drawing board. The big push for the 5610 was the ability to run those implements.
"If they can't utilize the attachments they already own, it's like, 'Well, now not only do I have to go buy a new attachment carrier, but I have to go replace all the attachments.' This allows people to run their Category 1 attachments (up to 1,775 pounds) off the rear, and then they can still rent all of the front attachments.
"There's really nothing manufactured that can have more combinations of attachments and implements than the 5610."
Bobcat Toolcat 5610 Attachments
With the front lift arm boasting a rated operating capacity of 1,300 pounds, increasing to 1,500 pounds with an optional counterweight kit, the Bobcat Toolcat 5610 can operate more than 40 front-mounted attachments with the Bob-Tach mounting system. The optional Power Bob-Tach allows the changing of non-hydraulic attachments with the flick of a switch from the cab.
By operating two attachments at the same time, such as a hydraulic soil conditioner on the front and a mechanical seeder on the rear, operators can save time by not having to stop and change out work tools between tasks. A rear remote hydraulics option allows operators to control two hydraulic cylinders at one time, allowing for on-the-move angling of a box blade or adjusting of a snow-blower chute.
Aside from the Bobcat Toolcat 5610's addition of the three-point hitch and PTO, the only other change from the 5600 is the
removal of the cargo box to enhance visibility to the rear work area.
"And most of the customers commented that if they just needed somewhere to put cargo or to haul a load, they’d just hook up a trailer to it," says Gilles.
Toolcats vary in price from the mid-$30,000 range for base models up to about $50,000 for fully optioned vehicles.
Bobcat Toolcat 5610 Specifications
- Operating Weight: 5,640 lb.
- Width/Height/Length: 60”/81”/180.8”
- Rated Lift Capacity: 1,500 lb.
- Machine Rated Capacity: 2,200 lb.
- Total Rated Capacity: 4,200 lb.
- Engine Power: 59 hp
- PTO Power: 25 hp
- Max. Travel Speed: 17 mph
