Days to L48 Down Payment I Find Earthforce Thread

[Ursushorribilus]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'm literally days away from putting a down payment on an L48, and I stumbled across a series of thread by MChalkley about his Earthforce adventures. Now, I'm getting into landscaping, so the L48 is indeed an optimum choice, but before I drop the cabbage I want to explore all my options.

I found out that Earthforce has been incorporated into Ingersoll Rand scheme of things. I called an IR dealer today and learned of a brand new development: The A series BL 570 and 575, which I think is comparable to the machine that MChalkley wrote of, is either now or soon to be discontinued. It will be reborn as a B series backhoe loader, the 570-B. I'm told the first models will be available in November, and that the machine has been upgraded and improved. Can anyone tell me how this machine stacks up against an L48 in respect to landscaping. I know it outspecs the L48 in capacities, that it has all wheel steering, and that it's lack of a 3ph is to a great extent compensated with comparable hydraulic attachments. So, does anyone have any input as to which way my stash of cash should be directed: L48 or 570-B? Thanks...Tony

 

[rdln]

L48

yes, my creative writing teacher did not like me.

 

[KennyV]

L48 …

The lack of a 3 point for landscaping is enough said… KennyV

 

[Ursushorribilus]

Forget I detoured down here, you can find me upstairs at Kubota! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Thanks guys...:Tony

 

[MChalkley]

Tony,

I don't know anything about the 570-B, but I'm interesting in hearing more about it. I've used an L48, and I still own the EarthForce EF-500, which is essentially the same as the BL575. If you need three-point hitch compatibility, the L48 is the way to go. Otherwise, the machines don't belong in the same paragraph. There's absolutely no comparison between the capabilities of the L48 and the EF/IR machine - the IR will easily do far more work than the L48. That's no poor reflection on the L48, though, in my opinion, because they're not meant to be competitive with one another. I've put 50 hours or so on an L48, and I really liked it. But, I've put 650 hours on my EF machine, and if you can use skid-steer style front-mounted attachments instead of the three-point hitch types (they take some getting used to, but both have their advantages and disadvantages), there's no other reason to consider the L48 that I can think of.

 

[MChalkley]

Actually, there's another reason to consider an L48: it weighs about 2,000 pounds less. Obviously, that can be a big advantage in certain circumstances. On the other hand, of course, the EF/IR machine wouldn't be able to do the work it does if it weighed less. So, it goes back to what I said earlier: I don't think these machines are "comparable", in the literal sense of the meaning of the word. After all, nobody argues over whether a 15-ton bulldozer is better than a 5-ton one. At least, nobody I'll argue with does... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Ursushorribilus]

MarkC, thanks for responding, I had hoped you would...I have spent many hours reading about your experiences with EF, and I like the way you explore every aspect of a machine. I've heard good things about you from other members as well, I've been told you are trained as an engineer - definitely a bonus for a tractor lover.

I decided to go with the L48, and have given my down payment. I wish I had the money for both machines /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Tony

 

[MChalkley]

Tony - There's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that you'll be happy with the L48. It's an excellent machine. There have been times I wished that my EF-500 had some of the L48's features. But there have also been times I wished it had some of the features my previous L4310HST had. I really can't imagine not feeling that way about any machine, actually. There's no perfect tractor. (The laws of physics prevent the existence of one for me: I want a 100-pound tractor that will go 150 mph, carry 100,000 tons, and push a mountain.) If anyone says theirs is the best in the world, they're mistaken. Of course, if they think it's the best in the world for them, they'll get no argument from me (or very little, maybe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Still, while I've often wished my EF had a feature from this or that machine, I've never wished I had the other machine instead. For me and what I do, if I can only have one machine, my EF-500 is the best machine in the world. As far as I know. For now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As for the kind words, thanks very much, but you've been misinformed: I'm no engineer. At least not in the sense that I have any formal training. The only education I have is from a lot of curiousity, a lot of good knowledgeable friends, a lot of experience (which of course generally means "a lot of mistakes"), and a lot of good books. As with tractors, I won't say that's the best approach in the world, and I surely wouldn't want the bridges I drive over designed by folks educated the way I've been educated, but for me and what I do, it's worked so far. And it's been fun. Mostly. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Ursushorribilus]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only education I have is from a lot of curiousity, a lot of good knowledgeable friends, a lot of experience (which of course generally means "a lot of mistakes"), and a lot of good books. it's been fun. Mostly. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

This is the stuff that many engineers would do well to imitate, and the kind of approach that is undoubtedly where many innovative advances come from /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The world is full of educated idiots whose designs could well use a taste of hands-on experience. Tony