Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Larry - As hard as depicting a white tractor is, I think depicting a clear glass cab doesn't stand a chance. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As for getting the cab, I think I came out pretty well on the deal, even if I am getting the EF-5 almost two months later than I was originally supposed to. That's the kind of deal where, to mutilate a cliche', "the warmth of the cab on cold winter days will be enjoyed long after the frustration of not having a machine for several months is forgotten."

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - You hit on another thing that worries me about the cab, never having had one - its resistance to getting whacked by branches, etc. The two dealers I've talked to about them say they haven't had any complaints about durability, but that doesn't tell me how they're using them. I guess I'll find out for myself...

MarkC

 

[MossRoad]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

I'll be the first to admint that I abused this tractor. I forced it through some really tight spots that a normal, caring individual would not do to his/her tractor. However, the broken windows seemed to come when I least expected it. All it took was one small branch snapping back and whack.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - Has anyone ever told you that your bedside manner stinks? I don't even have the tractor yet, and I'm seeing visions of it looking like a car that broke down in Harlem and had to be left overnight. You're not helping!!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

 

[MossRoad]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Do you really beat on your equipment or do you use it as it was intended? I suspect you are a responsible owner/operator, from reading all of your posts, and doubt that you will ever let your equipment become the broken down rusted out s**t box that I have. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - Hmmm, that's a tough question. You might say I treat equipment as it was intended, given your admission of your own treatment of your stuff. Most manufacturers, on the other hand, would definitely say I abuse my equipment a lot.

I maintain my equipment, with the exception of washing and waxing it, better than anybody I know. However, I do not listen to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding limitations whatsoever, and I usually "tweak" everything to a considerable degree. So, basically, it gets treated well overall, but it doesn't get babied - I use it to the full limits of its potential, until I break something, then I fix what broke to be better than it was, then repeat the process... And if it won't do what I need it to do, or think it ought, I modify it until it will. This definitely stresses the design limits the engineers placed on it, but that's the way I use equipment. I never had a moments trouble treating my Kubotas that way - only time will tell if the EarthForce machine can take it, but I wouldn't be buying if every bit of research I've been able to do didn't indicate they can.

MarkC

 

[MossRoad]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Yeah, I've been watching your posts. The Earth Force unit looks solid as a rock. I don't need anything that capable. I'm pretty close to placing my order for the PT425. The CEO OK'd the purchase with the stipulation that if it doesn't fit in the garage the day it arrives, I don't come in the house until it does. That's motivated me to throw away alot of stuff. I'm pretty sure I'm going to sell my 2500b. It is also too big for my needs. I can always rent a unit for a day for big jobs.

As I recall, you're getting a unit that is already in the US. When will you pick it up?

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - I'm picking it up Dec. 17. Then, I take it up the road a few miles to D&E Mfg, where the backhoe thumb, light brackets, "chain dogs", etc. will be installed, and I'll pick up the light material FEL bucket and the two backhoe buckets they made for me. Hopefully back home to start playing with it, I mean using it, by the 20th or so.

Bummer on the garage stipulation - I'm not sure whether it would be worth it to clean out my garage for a new tractor or not... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MarkC

 

[HR_Mutt]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MChalkley
The PLC thread faded into oblivion, status? I'm curious about it. Have you developed an I/O list?
regards
Mutt

 

[MChalkley]

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Mutt - It's still very much in the research stage. I've been talking to vendors and a commercial developer, trying to bring the price down to something less that double ridiculous. I've pretty much settled on a vendor, Automation Direct, but everything else is still up in the air. I'll probably have to do an initial system with fewer sensors than I'd like to have eventually have, but at least with a PLC system, expandability will be very cheap, very easy and practically limitless.

Basically, if the project really happens, I'm going to start with an operator interface panel to display readings, provide status lights, allow setpoint changes, etc., then have a couple pressure sensors, and half a dozen temperature sensors as inputs. There won't be any outputs, except what the panel itself provides, unless I put in one for a buzzer.

MarkC