EarthForce EF-5 enhancements

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 8, 2001

Mark:
My office is in Baltimore, although I live in Anne Arundel County, about 25 miles South. I haven't gone to see the Earth Force machine on the lot because I'm not really looking for that configuration -- I need lawn mower first, and because my finances are way below the Earth Force level. I don't feel comfortable asking a salesman for his time and wear on his equipment when there is no chance that I'll buy. I guess I miss a lot of fun: I don't test drive Porsches either. I may have to go by and at least look, however.

Charlie Iliff

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Mark:
OK, I couldn't stand it, so I went to Folcomer and looked at the Earth Force machines. They not only will demo, but they have EF-3 and I think EF-4 for rent. They seem fully as solid as you have said, and certainly a great platform for adaptation, modification, and other entertaining pursuits. Unfortunately, they wouldn't be very good for my primary purpose - finish mowing. For 5% of my requirements they would be perfect, but that doesn't begin to justify the $29,500 base price of the EF-3.
In addition to the tractors, I saw a collection of enhancements and attachments: a 72" Ammbusher, a set of forks, a couple of augers, a Brush Brute, and an adapter from skid-steer quick attach to 3-point and/or 2" trailer insert. Looks like a lot of fun as soon as your EF-5 arrives.

How goes the quest for hydraulic motor to adapt PTO machines to hydraulic. If I ever get the Power-Trac, that will be a capability I'll need.

Charlie Iliff

MChalkley · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Charlie - I just hate it when other people get to see my stuff before I've seen it! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif (Actually, I've seen all of it, except the Switch Hitch and the Brush Brute. What did you think of them, especially the Brush Brute? Jason said he was very impressed with the quality and workmanship of it.)

I'm glad you got a chance to see the EarthForce machines - they're worth seeing if only to be able to compare them to other things. What did you think of the 4-in-1 linkage? If I remember correctly, none of the machines there have the 4-in-1 bucket on them, but the controls are ready for one.

What did you think of the Ammbusher - I'm afraid it's a little flimsy. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

So, I take it you met Jason, too - otherwise you wouldn't have seen all the other stuff. What did you think of him?

Oops, I forgot to answer your question about adapting mechanical PTO drives to hydraulic. There's a hydraulics company salesman (who also happens to be the hydraulics engineer who helped me with some of the projects on my L4310HST) who's currently working on finding the best motor for what I need, but it partially depends on whether I decide to upgrade the hydraulics on the EF-5 as soon as I get it or not. I'm seriously considering getting a motor, adapting it to a PTO spline output shaft, and mounting it to the Switch Hitch so I can then use any three-point-hitch mechanical PTO powered implement with the EF-5, instead of just my tiller.

MarkC

Edited by MChalkley on 11/09/01 02:13 PM (server time).

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Mark: I agree that the Ammbusher is a little flimsy, as is the Brush Brute. Flimsy sort of the way a typical Euclid is flimsy. I thought our old Woods rotary cutter was fairly robust until I saw the Ammbusher. The Brush Brute can probably be bent pretty easily in normal use, provided your normal use includes running starts at trees more than 8 inches in diameter.
The only problem I see you'll have is the semi tractor and low boy you'll need to transport the rig and the rest of the toys, er, tools from site to site. The typical landscape trailer would barely carry the Ammbusher, let alone the tractor.
I used your name to the salesman who intercepted me in the yard, and repeated it as I came in for a brochure. Jason fired out of his office to advise that he had a stack of your stuff and would love to show it to me. He also mentioned the Chalkley cup, but I didn't see a mounting adapter for that.
I saw the two-joystick setup for the 4 in 1 (6 in 1?) but won't be able to understand it until I work with them a while. Maybe someday.
If you get the hydraulic motor mounted on the switch hitch, I will be interested in how well it works. Somehow, however, one of my primary objectives - elimination of three-point hitches - might be compromised by such a rig.

Charlie Iliff

MChalkley · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Charlie - I thought you might've gotten a kick out of the Ammbusher. It's approriately named, I think. I expected it to be very heavy duty, but when I actually saw it, it still surprised me.

I thought I had posted a picture of my trailer once upon a time, but I guess I didn't. I can't seem to find it, anyway. My trailer is a three-axle deck-between-the-wheels 24-footer. I had Winston build it to spec with 9,000 lb axles, using 6,000 lb springs. I went with the 9k axles because they've got 50% larger brakes than the next size down. Plus, I had them put brakes on all 3 axles. I wanted to be able to stop easily with no truck brakes at all, should the need arise.

You just reminded me of something else I have to ask D&E to cut out for me - a cup holder! 1/4" flat plate attached to the ROPS tube ought to do it...

As for the hydraulic motor, it would work equally well whether you mounted on a universal hitch adapter or directly to an implement gearbox.

MarkC

Harv · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

I thought I had posted a picture of my trailer once upon a time

Did it resemble the attached photo, Mark?

MossRoad · Nov 9, 2001

My head hurts reading this thread. Now I can't make up my mind if I want a lawn mower or to start my own excavating company. You really research your stuff, I'll give you that. When does it end? Is it gonna end up like this?(see attachment). Just kidding. I'm learning alot. Keep it coming.

 MossRoad

MChalkley · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Harv - Yep, dat be da shot! Your amazin'! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 9, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-3 & 4, and EF-5 enhancements

Harv:

That trailer won't hold half of the Chalkley Earth Force equipment. Maybe a railroad car is in the works.

Charlie Iliff

MChalkley · Nov 9, 2001

MossRoad - Why don't you get a lawn mower and start an excavation company with it. If you get a good one, it should work just fine. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I'm glad you feel like you're learning from all this - I sure am. As I learn it (or think I've learned it), I'll post it.

MarkC