Bobcat Toolcat

[lawncrafter56]

Just very well could be the most well balanced machine I have ever operated. Pictured here volunteering a few machine hours to the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources.

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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Oh! What initially got you to purchase such a piece of equipment vs a skid steer or something similar? Can you tell us a little bit about this project you were working on?

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[lawncrafter56]

Though mnowing is my passion and mental therapy this machine was purchased for snow removal. It does snow so good and has so many comfort features to do many jobs. Though a little thirsty for fuel I know I am far more wamer than the J.D. Picfarmer is when he is out moving that white stuff. The four wheel steer makes this unit very handy on turf though it does not have the digging power of the larger skidloaders. Perhaps a 90" mower and a flail mower option will be purchased in the coming year if the economy shows improvment.
I am a believer in the Spirt of volunteerism towards outdoor projects that are enjoyed by many. This project was a fishing jetty rehab that needed a little refreshing of the eroision control. The material was furnished. A little, quality,free, 2 hour job will be and is a good investment for my little 2 employee company. As you see I already have my foot it the door for any future government work when they become available. Not every state project here is let for bid if under X amount of dollars.
Just being seen working or mowing doing that quality work is the best advertising. People talk. I liked being talked about.
Biz has been very good as has been being a Golpher member. I enjoy all the regular posters. Cheese & Andy are my favorite

[Steve]

Very interesting! When you perform such acts of goodwill and volunteer your time like this, have you been able to use it to further promote your business? Have you been in the paper or maybe send out a press release on it?

I would think there were many readers on here who are on the fence about volunteering some of there time to their community. Do you have any advice as to why they should?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

Very interesting! When you perform such acts of goodwill and volunteer your time like this, have you been able to use it to further promote your business? Have you been in the paper or maybe send out a press release on it?

I would think there were many readers on here who are on the fence about volunteering some of there time to their community. Do you have any advice as to why they should?

Don't want to hijack the thread.....We tried the 5610 Toolcat on a site this summer, I only drove it for a few min, it was for the staff to try out. They found the box small but they were hauling brush and I told them we could build a box for it, they found it heavy, I think it's around 5,700 pounds, lifting ability was high in height but limited to 1,500 pounds, they had issues in some spots on clearance. Anyhow they felt for what we do a tractor was the better option, I think they used it for three days.

Last fall I volunteered an excavator in a community that most of our work is in to build an outdoor skating rink area, then another company cam in built the side boards, another did lighting etc. It paid very big dividends for us although that is not why I did it, we were on TV, paper received a pile of work from it and I had fun.

We tool I think 6 staff and I rented one of those tanks that makes balloons float, we set up a barbacue and cooked hot dogs, we had a lot of fun.

[lawncrafter56]

Hi Andy, The pto equiped 5610 has no box other than a small compartment for a few hand tools. The 5600 has a fair size dumping cargo box. Too bad you didn't spend a little more time getting familiar with the machine. I love it!
As for public service Steve, Who doesn't like a little help from time to time? One can start a relationship with just a few well placed words of encouragment to a public servent or official. Let them know you want to volunteer some precious spare time. The call will come. Donate a little good work and the movers and shakers, public and private hear the good word of your deeds. and appreciate it in these times of shrinking budgets. It will come back plus it just feels good to be one of the few that gives a damn about helping improve your town.
It just works for me.

[lawncrafter56]

Proof of insurance i'm guessing could be questioned. Any good relationship takes time to build but the spirit of volunteering along with community service plays a big part in my plan.

[Steve]

I think 6 staff and I rented one of those tanks that makes balloons float, we set up a barbacue and cooked hot dogs, we had a lot of fun.

If you had a similar opportunity pop up, would there be anything you would do differently this time to gain more attention and stand out more?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

If you had a similar opportunity pop up, would there be anything you would do differently this time to gain more attention and stand out more?

Nothing comes to mind, keep in mind almost all of my staff are University students in various fields of study, we brain stormed this before hand and they did an excellent job organizing what we would do. If allowed I would probably take a few tractors and give the kids either a ride or a hay ride but it isn't allowed and my insurance would roll if something were to happen. We may take them just to let kids sit on them and get their picture taken.