Toolcat 5600 Finds Plenty of Work at Race Track

Dan Roe

The Toolcat™ 5600 isn’t one of the competitors at the Stockholm Karting Center in Cokato, Minn. The Bobcat utility work machine is, however, making the racing experience more enjoyable for go-kart enthusiasts by helping to keep the track and grounds in tip-top shape.

The track has the only asphalt road course in the state. The facility also includes a one-fifth mile oval track and a full service retail store and repair shop called the Engine Room.

On weekends the track hosts 15 different go-kart classes and 45 races a day. The races are conducted by the Northland Region Karting Assn., which is sanctioned by the World Karting Assn.

Maintaining the course and facilities involves a variety of chores. That’s why the Toolcat 5600 was purchased from Farm Rite Equipment, Dassel, Minn. “We needed an all-purpose machine,” explains Dan Roe, general manager.

Versatile machine

Employees at the Stockholm Karting Center use the 5600 with a bucket for dirt work, pallet forks for unloading trucks and moving material, and a mower to keep the infield and other areas looking attractive. A hydraulic joystick provides smooth control of the loader functions when operating these attachments.

“We also rely on the angle broom attachment to keep the track clear of dirt,” says Roe. “We use it on the Toolcat 5600 to quickly and easily sweep the track before racing begins as well as during a race.”

That’s also when the machine’s 18-mph travel speed comes in handy. “If we need to get to the far end of the track in a hurry we can shift-on-the-go into high range,” he says.

With its rear hitch, the 5600 offers a 4,000-lb. towing capacity. “Many of the racers haul their go-karts and equipment in a trailer behind their trucks or motorhomes,” says Roe. “There’s no room for them to maneuver these trailers into the spaces in the pit areas, but we can hook the Toolcat machine onto the trailers to place them right where we want.”

He concludes: “The Toolcat 5600 has been a great investment. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a multi-purpose machine.”