Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

MikePA · Dec 19, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

By the way, a few weeks back, they had a 4 in 1 bucket at an auction that went for $150... enormous size though... maybe 900-1000 lbs... {hard to judge weight like that}

Wow, at that weight there'd be enough FEL capacity left on some tractors to haul around a few pillows, but you could sure hold them securely! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MChalkley · Dec 19, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Charlie - John gave you the best link for info on Long's 4-in-1 buckets, as you've seen by now, I'm sure.

I had talked to Long and they had agreed to weld a quick-attach plate from PowerTrac on their 4-in-1 bucket. PowerTrac would UPS it to Long, and Long would install it. The hydraulics should be plug and play, though you would likely have to install the right connectors on the ends of the hoses you get from Long.

I'm still in SC tonight, but I'll be back home Thursday night, so I'll get some pictures and details on the EF-5 posted Thursday or Friday.

MarkC

Steve_Carver · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

I had talked to Long and they had agreed to weld a quick-attach plate from PowerTrac on their 4-in-1 bucket.

-->
They folks at WR Long in Tarboro, NC have been very good to work with on these type special request.
They are nice folks.
sc

Charlie_Iliff · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Thanks John, Steve and Mark:
I have looked at the pictures on the Carver site. I will call Long when I have a solid plan.
Looking forward to more info and pictures of the EF.

Charlie Iliff

MChalkley · Dec 20, 2001

Re: the EF-5 has landed!

Well, I finally made it home. Attached is a picture of the EF-5 my friend took. Yours truly is sitting in the cab - I think I'm looking for the accelerator or something... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The trip was pretty uneventful, at least in the sense that we accomplished what we wanted to. We left last Sunday morning, got to North Charleston early evening, went over to the EarthForce distribution center Monday morning. They had the EF-5 pretty much ready, so all we had to do was kick the tires, discuss the usual take-delivery stuff, etc. I found that one of the loader lift cylinders had some unusual rust on the rod, so they swapped that out. We went from there over to D&E, and talked about the modifications I wanted to make, then checked out the attachments they made for me: a quick attach system for the backhoe, 18" & 24" backhoe buckets, a quick attach auger for the backhoe, a ripper tooth, a thumb, and a 1.5 cu. yd. loader bucket. I have to say I was extremely impressed with the quality of everything. I'll post some detailed pictures of their attachments and the modifications in the "EF-5 enhancements" thread soon.

Anyway, the modifications took all day Tuesday, then Wednesday we double-checked everything, made some changes to the truck hitch to get the load distributing hitch set up to handle the extra weight, then loaded everything up. We left this morning early and got home early this evening.

MarkC

JimmyO · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Beautiful machine. I can't wait to hear how it works out for you. Now if you just lived a little closer to Western Pennsylvania I would happily provide a playground for you to practice on. Congradulations!!!

Jimmy

PS Isn't it going to be hard to reach that 5 gallon cup from there?
Edited by JimmyO on 12/20/01 09:16 PM (server time).

MChalkley · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Jimmy - Thanks! The last time I was in Western PA, I remember thinking I wouldn't mind living there myself. Wonderful scenery.

Attached is a picture of the EF-5 just before we loaded it up after D&E finished with it. Ignore the unfinished pieces of metal sticking out of it. They're getting painted this weekend, I hope...

MarkC

Harv · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

I can't believe it!!! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Not so much that your EF-5 really exists, but that you do! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'd say the picture is a fake, but by golly I see the official cup there. From the angle of the picture, it looks like it's attached to the FEL. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif I'll try to convice myself that's an optical illusion for now.

It's good to see you in the actual driver's seat, Mark -- and before Christmas, too. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Like everyone else on this board, I'm looking forward to the inevitable onslaught of pictures. Bring 'em on!!!

MChalkley · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Jimmy - I didn't see your added PS when I posted my last message. You may remember that Jim @ D&E is the one who wrote the poem about the magnetic cup after I told him that one of the "enhancements" was to be a cupholder. Well, we were laughing and joking about the cup right after I got there - I had to bring it to show them, of course - and, to demonstrate how well it holds, I stuck it to the bucket. Later, when I was moving the EF-5 around, I forgot to take the cup off, which made for more fun for the gang at D&E. Let's just say that my reputation as a nut has been considerably reinforced. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MarkC

JimmyO · Dec 20, 2001

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

I have spent mucho hours operating TLB's but I would have to say that for 97% that EF-5 would have done as well or better. I can honestly say that I was lacking in maneuvarability more often than looking for more power.

Now a couple of questions, that I am sure you have already answered and I have already read. Is the backhoe removable? I can see times when using the front rotary cutter that you might not want the extra weight and when hogging in some nasty areas having it stick out the back would be an inconvenience. I understand that if it doesn't, that it is a trade off that you were willing to make. Kinda like when I am running the 7' brush hog i have to leave the FEL on my tractor. Many would not accept the intrusiveness while brush hogging that the FEL provides, but to me I was willing to make the trade off to get the extra 12" of cut.

Second question is what are the extra unpainted metal brackets for? They look like the could house extra lights, but I can't imagine needing that many lights unless you were planning on lighting up a ball game with it.

Western Pennsylvania is great. Only trade off is that land in the best school districts(education wise) is very expensive. Other than that and the potholes in our highways I am completely happy here.

Jimmy