2019 Toolcat with Quick Attach 2020 Snowblower

This is a short video showing my 2019 Bobcat Toolcat with Hi-Flow Hydraulics blowing snow with the Erskine/Quick Attach 2020 Snowblower. I sold my 60 HP John Deere Compact Tractor which used an Erskine PTO driven blower to buy this new set up. I have to admit the PTO blower did throw the snow a bit further and the Hydraulic blower doesn't quite have the same power with deep snow or a packed bank, but I knew this going into it. I could only lift my PTO blower 6" off the ground so removing a snow bank like shown in the video was not even possible.
Pros of my new set-up:
- I can lift my blower 6' in the air and remove a snowbank or cut banks back.
- I can tilt to blower forward of back. I can use the cutting edge to get down the gravel/asphalt, or tilt it back so it won't throw gravel when the ground is soft - PTO blower was one position only.
- The machine is more versatile for me in my situation. I can swap blower, bucket, plow in a matter of seconds or minutes instead of an hour removal time. Previously I put my blower on in October and left it until April - too big of a hassle to change from blower to loader.
- Toolcat gets better traction than my JD. I can put chains on all four tires if I want. JD could only have them on the front due to Fuel cell location.
- Visibility was good in the JD, but it's really quite good in the Toolcat too. Probably better.
- Wife or kids can ride shotgun.
- Dump bed for firewood and other work.
Cons:
- Not quite as much power as the PTO driven blower. Mostly just an adjustment from what I'm used to.
- Expensive. Although my JD wasn't cheap either.

[@haroldbrown6630]

That is a beast. Looks like it can handle a modest grade. My driveway is 485 foot switch back up a steep hill. Will it make it back up? Can it snow blow its way back up? I assume people put chains on these. Thanks.

[@residualboulders]

If it’s steeper than my road I would say don’t count on blowing on the way up. I have run chains but it scratches up my concrete and asphalt so I switched to Wolf Paw tires. Not quite as good of grip and 4 tires chained up, but better than two. If you are on gravel road, I’d probably use chains on all fours and you may be able to blow up hill depending on snow depth and weight.

[@richardrasmussen7334]

Is the Quickattach snow blower better than the bobcat snowblower I have to make a decision soon thanks for your help

[@residualboulders]

Richard Rasmussen I had a quick attach on my John Deere and liked it so when it came time for another I called Tyler at quick attach. I’d give them a call and talk to him he was very helpful. I wanted a blower that could remove a hard pack snowbank and liked the design of the semi- open auger for that. I haven’t tried the bobcat blower so I don’t know how it compares. I do know the controls are a bit different on my quick attach but that’s just a matter of getting used to it. My neighbor has a bobcat blower on his toolcat. It seems heavier than mine, but I’m not sure the difference in weight.

[@stephaneboucher5108]

Thanks for All thé détails. Did you know that you could instal real winter tire on those babe ? I had 4 (chevy colorado 2007) winter tire with nails on m'y 2011 toolcat. It was incredible compare to all other machine in Montréal . M'y friends use chain on his only when he goes to his cottage in the Woods. Have fun!.

[@residualboulders]

Winter tire with studs do you mean, or were they tires with actual nails in them? I have heard people run them with truck tires. I have not tried that yet. I have chains for all 4 tires, have not put them all on yet.

[@stephaneboucher5108]

@@residualboulders yes, studded winter tire. The great things is that the rim of the (canyon) or (colorado) 2007 fit on the toolcat and are way cheaper than bobcat product. Using those in town was great. Specialy after icyrain. Have fun.

[@anthonythorp7291]

Seen another vid where guy said Toyota rims fit his.

[@countrycaretakerpropertyse7981]

@@anthonythorp7291 Im about to pick up a bobcat Toolcat and my dealer had a clients toolcat and it had BFG All Terrain tires on it! Says it lasts so much longer than the bobcat tires and has much better grip!

[@richardrasmussen7334]

With studs in all four tires If I drive easy will it make a mess of the blacktop driveway

[@stevenobregon4052]

my boss has a toolcat with the snowblower attachment, but says he has to stay on the joystick to keep it throwing snow. Any idea what he's doing wrong? thanks

[@residualboulders]

steven obregon I think something must be messed up with wiring. Once I turn on my hydraulics it blows and I only use the joystick for tilt adjustment as needed.

[@richardrasmussen7334]

Does that snowblower feel too heavy for the front of the tool cat what size with do you recommend for the tool cat ?will it scrape up the blacktop do I put my machine in float to go down the driveway or make adjustments with the loader as I go

[@residualboulders]

Richard Rasmussen It’s heavier than a bucket but I don’t think it feels too heavy. My V plowe felt heavier, and more awkward so I sold it. With my John Deere I would just drop the blower and that was it. Easy, but no adjustment. With the Toolcat you can tilt forward and back and dig as much as you like. I typically tilt just a tad forward to get close to the asphalt but then tilt it back when I get off my drive into the gravel county road. Otherwise you’ll be throwing gravel. But yes, you can scrape the asphalt if you tilt too far. I’ve been considering getting a nylon cutting edge for that reason. There is a learning curve if you’ve come from a compact tractor type blower. For me, being able to swap implements in less than a minute VS and hour to remove or install my old blower is worth it. And I love being able to blow back tall snowbanks by lifting the blower high - old blower would only raise 6”

[@SnowPlowNews]

@@residualboulders Just reading this now - Really good information for those considering the purchase and use of this combo!

[@stacyrogers4601]

What is the width of your Quick Attach Snowblower? Can’t tell if it is a 68” or a 72”

[@residualboulders]

its a 72

[@stacyrogers4601]

thanks for the quick reply. What drove you to Quick Attach over OEM Bobcat?

[@residualboulders]

@@stacyrogers4601 I had a quick attach on my previous machine and the guys at quickattach have always been really helpful. My neighbor has the same machine but with bobcat blower and he really likes it. I’m sure either one is great. I think it was also the cut back box that is supposedly better for removing packed banks, and if I remember right the Quickattach is lighter weight?

[@AdrenalineRushMX]

people like you are the problem lol

[@Navigator777777]

5600 or 5610?

[@residualboulders]

Mine is a 5600. The 5610s don't have a dump bed, they have the 3 point setup on the rear.

[@Navigator777777]

@@residualboulders Sorry...I wasn't asking which one but appreciate the quick response! Now that you've got time under your belt with a Toolcat....do you see advantages to the 5610 over 5600 or vice versa?

[@residualboulders]

@@Navigator777777 Depends on your needs. I had a john deere farm tractor before. The only 3 point piece of equipment i miss is a road leveler, but from what I understand the same manufacturer makes a skid steer mount. If you really need 3 point mounted implements and a PTO i'd go the 5610 route. I absolutely do not miss attaching 3 point attachments - but my JD didn't have any of the newer aids for that. Living in the forest the bed has been handy. Mainly for hauling a generator, chainsaw and other tools to wherever I will be working with the toolcat. Before I'd drive the tractor out, then walk back to get a truck or UTV to haul all my tools out. For where I live, the 5600 is great. I sold my Polaris Ranger and my John Deere to get this and I have no regrets. Far easier to switch between attachments and makes my life easier year round. So disadvantage, no PTO or 3 Point. Advantage is the dump bed.

[@Navigator777777]

@@residualboulders For me...Snow plowing in winter then mowing, tilling gardens and fixing driveways in summer.... loading fruit bins or hay bales. Have you ever loaded hay bale rounds?

[@residualboulders]

@@Navigator777777 i have not. My neighbor uses a skid steer for that but I think they have a higher lift capacity than a Toolcat. If you are mowing and tilling, the 5610 might be a better fit, not sure if the attachments are better for those as a 3point or front mounted.

[@AStanton1966]

That thing seems to work nice. Too bad it's a Bobcat.

[@residualboulders]

Been trouble free for me