Utility Work Machine Takes on Many Tasks at Military Facility

Tech Sgt. Ron Saults, Tennessee Air National Guard, says the Toolcat 5600 is a versatile and handy vehicle.

A Toolcat™ 5600 utility work machine is saving time and money in grounds maintenance duties at a Tennessee Air National Guard facility in Louisville, Tenn. It’s doing more jobs more efficiently than a four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle or a pickup truck.

“We needed a multi-purpose vehicle,” says Tech Sergeant Ron Saults.

The unique utility work machine is designed to handle a variety of jobs. Its front loader arm offers a 1,500-lb. rated operating capacity and the ability to use a variety of Bobcat® attachments. A hydraulic lift cargo box with a one-ton load capacity and a hitch to tow up to 4,000 lb. of trailer and cargo further enhance its productivity. The Toolcat 5600 has a total rated capacity of 4,200 lb. (combined weight of load on lift arm, cargo box load, operator, passenger and tow weight).

“We can haul two different loads at once,” Saults says. “Using pallet forks we can carry sod on the front and carry a load of soil in the cargo box.” (Note: total machine rated capacity—including operator and load—is 2,200lb.)

The utility work machine is also used with an auger for drilling postholes, and a bucket for digging and handling dirt and other materials. The pallet forks are used to move items ranging from power cables to old equipment. It’s also proved a handy way to tow a steam cleaner around the base to wash off generator units.

The Toolcat 5600 has hydrostatic four-wheel-drive and all-wheel steer. “Unlike other machines we can maneuver it on turf without tearing up grass and it has the traction to go where an ATV or pickup truck can’t,” Saults says.

The Air National Guard’s utility work machine is equipped with enclosed cab with heater and air conditioning. “In addition to keeping operators comfortable year-round it also keeps out dust,” he says. “It’s handy for transporting one or two of us around the base to various jobsites as well as to check on our equipment.” The 5600 has a top travel speed of 18 mph.

This multi-purpose piece of equipment has proven its ability to work productively. “It’s fulfilled our expectations,” says Saults.