Earthforce EF-500/I-R BL575 update

[spark]

Had a chance to weld on the backhoe bucket of a EF3 and had not seen one before. I was impressed but have found no dealers close to me. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[MChalkley]

The current equivalent of the EF3 is sold by most Bobcat dealers, so it shouldn't be too hard now. If you have any questions, just let me know.

 

[ScottAR]

Did Ingersoll ever figure out what to do with the larger machines? I saw one for sale in the machinery trader a couple weeks ago but I haven't seen any in operation although mini machines are just starting to be common now.

 

[MChalkley]

ScottAR,

No, not to my knowledge. I don't have any "scoop" as to what I-R is doing, but I haven't seen any evidence of them making any real effort to market them, either.

 

[ScottAR]

Tis a shame really, They look like interesting machines...

 

[John White]

First I want to say that I am new to TBN. So please bear with me. Its a chore for me to just turn the computer on much less try to contact ony one or learn how to get on TBN. Second I want to thank Mark Chalkey for all his dedication, time, and knowledge about Earthfrce. I have been following the articles about Earthforce for a few years, and Marks episodes closely. I too was very excited when I first saw my first EF at a rental, about 5 years ago. I thought it would be great. I could just not affod a new one. I was self employed and run my own business for 30 years, finally decided to retire and get my (Socalist Inscurity). I was looking for a different line of work to keep me productive and busy. (more later if any one wants to hear it) I started doing small jobs with some of the farm equip I had and next thing I was getting businer than I should have been. I Thought a EF would be the dream machine to have. I could haul it on my skid steer trailer, with my truck. I had to make do with what I had and afford. I watched E-bay for a few years and looked for a EF4. There were a few on there from time to time, but most were well used, and still at a premium price. It seemed ever time I got a small job I spent more time hauling my equipement back and forth than doing the job. We only learn by trial and error, and it behoves us to learn by others error. I didnt want to get involved with the big equipement, cost, cdl, insurance, upkeep, employees......just me., and what I could handle. With mini equipement. I would get a small job such as digging a new drain tile through a yard or something of that nature. First, no one machine does every job excellent. Just the job it was designed to do. I would load up my small track hoe, and dig the ditch. Nothing beats a track hoe for just simply digging. But then it was not efficent in closing it up and finish grading. So I would wind up having to haul my skid steer out and fill in and level out. (I know Mark , I hate skid steers too. they are hard to get in and out it if you have to do my type of work , and another half dozen reasons) Then after filing in and almost tearing up the yard with a skid steer. I had to haul my tractor to finish rakeing out and smoothing it down. I dreamed how much a EF would save me in labor and time. I finally run across a used EF4 with only 275 hrs. I must have been the first one to see it on the internet. It was loaced in PA. I called the dealer and he said he just got it in and just had listed it on the net a hour ago., and had 50 calls, I talked a little and told him that I would give him a Visa card deposit to hold it till I got there to inspect it. He didnt want to do that, and I was rulcant to make a firm commitment till I saw it. Finally I got him to agree to hold it for 48 hours. I didnt want to show up and travel that distance and find it sold. I got every thing together and went to see it. I didnt even quibble over the price. Just took it. I have already used it on a small job and love it. I do have some issues I would like to discuss with Mark Chalkey if I could contact him. I dont know why Bobcat never further developed this, and if you talk to them about it, they treat you like you have the plague. My dealer is not very knnowledgable about it at all. And I have heard that from IR that they have quit makeing it. What about parts 'Mark" have you heard? Will up date you if any one wants to hear from me. John:

 

[Bird]

John, we certainly regret the loss, but I don't think we've heard from Mark Chalkley in over a year and a half.

 

[John White]

Seems no one has heard from Mark in a long time. He certainly seemed to be a very knowledgable person about the EF. He sort of inspired me to keep searching till I found one that I could afford. Any one who owns one or is very fimular with them. Send me a e-mail.

 

[capt_met]

john,
first off congratulations on your purchase. you have an amazing machine. now for the bad news. i have to tell you it definitly is the plague. bobcat dealer employees will not be able to help in any way with any changes you might want to make. i was told it was for legal reasons. liability, in case of an accident mostly. i have a B300 Bobcat and love it. it is an absolute beast for the size. but with any piece of equipment there are a couple things that it would be nice to tweak. one suggestion might be to call the repair shop at competitive brand dealers. sometimes they have an ex-bobcat employee that might help out.
i also read everything written by mark chalkley on his earthforce. it definitly helped me make up my mind. i have tried every way to get in touch with him(short of stalking)and haven't been able to get through. at this point i just hope he is well.
if there is anything i can help you with, let me know.
good luck and congrats,
metin

 

[John White]

Thanks for the info Capt. Met. Its hard to find much info on the EF. And Bobcat or IR is the last place you wanto go, (none there) Too bad they did not further develop the machines. I posted on another thread wanting some input on them., patricular one item. I do not like the way the hi low speed range works. I would like it better if when your foot was off the pedal it was in low range, especially when running the backhoe and you want to move up a little by just reaching around and pushing the direction shift lever up or forward. I would like it better if it was in low speed. I looked under the machine to see if the hoses could be changed and they appear to be different size of connections. I was wondering if I could just attach a spring to the pedal to hold it down at all times and make a L lever to attach to the bottom ot the pedal to shift it to hi speed. I have talked to a couple of owners who had them, that had trans problems and they were told it was because of starting and running most of the time in hi speed. Which happens with your foot off the pedal. If it was reverse. you would be less inclined to labor or lug the trans. when starting off, or digging into a heavy pile. From what I can find out,Bob Cat and the IR are just the very same machines as Earthforce made in the same plant, same country. I have heard they no longer make the Bob cat or IR. What year was the last ones? My Bob cat dealer wants to avoid the whole issue and said it was a mess from the beginning, in importing them and controlling the manufacturig in Checz. etc. He wouldnt say how long they would supply parts. Too bad Bob cat and IR did not further devlope a fine machine a little further, US insturments, heaiver and larger hyd pump. Foot controls instead of hand. I ran a EF3 which had the forward and reverse mounted in the rear also, so when you were working the backhoe you could move up or back whithout turning around and using the control on the steering wheel but my EF4 does not have it. Was posi. traction optional on all of them? Mine does not seem to have it. Enjoy hearing from other oners. John