Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

ewoss3 · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Mark, you might try some of the new noise cancelling earmuffs, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bose.com/noise_reduction/personal/qc_headset/>http://www.bose.com/noise_reduction/personal/qc_headset/</A> these will also let you have an audio function

MossRoad · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Sure. I'll get them tonight when I get home, unless someone beats me to the punch /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. There are two different sizes, one on the auxilliary PTO (the one that operates the locking cylinder and or power angle cylinders) and the bigger ones on the main PTO. I'll get you both. That's just the numbers off of the fittings, correct?

MossRoad · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

On fuel consumption, did you mean GPH or GPM? Sounds like an awsome test. I especially liked the part about the semi trailer. Shure would have helped if he was pushing.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

MikePA - I didn't get any pictures myself, but a few other folks did, and they're supposed to be e-mailing me some. If and when I get them, I'll post them.

I posted pricing for my machine (and a couple others, I believe) somewhere in this thread, but I'm not sure where. I think the EF machines are around 25%-30% or so more expensive than similar-hp skid steers, but the EF machines generally have at least 50% more weight, and double the FEL capacities, plus a backhoe is included, though they have quite a bit less hydraulic flow. The specs are easy to compare from their web site, of course. I'll get some more prices from my dealer when he gets back from vacation.

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

MossRoad - Yeah, I meant GPH. Thanks for catching it - I wouldn't want anybody deciding not to buy an EarthForce machine because they could only use it half an hour at a time on that 25-gallon tank. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

The semi-pulling escapade really impressed me. I had no idea it would do as well as it did. And it doesn't even have Michelin XM-27's on it yet... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

I just starting testing a set out... {not Bose... but would love to...}

If I don't rip them off my head with the brush... I'll post the results... /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Bird · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

So you're thinking seriously about keeping that Earthforce?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Bird - Yeah, at least until something better comes along. You know my strategy, by now... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Rob - That sounds like an interesting possibility. The audio input function would be essential, because we use FRS radios a lot to communicate where I'm going next and what I'm going to be doing, therefore what attachment I'll need, etc. What I really wish is that there was a noise-reduction headset that just clipped loud volumes - took anything over 85db, say, and reduced it to 85db. Then, you could still hear everything, like somebody yelling "STOP!", but the really annoying and fatiguing sounds wouldn't be so bothersome. It should be just as easy to do this as what they're doing with current headsets, if not easier. This is a very limited-use technology, though, I'm sure, so if it ever exists, it won't be inexpensive. The current noise-cancelling products that I've seen carry warnings about operating machinery with them on, for obvious reasons.

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Mark:
I sense the beginning of a serious problem. You seem to be getting altogether too close to the point that your EF project is a complete success. The disquieting word there is "complete." There is some small satisfaction in a week's work using a machine, but work soon becomes just that: work. As you know more than any of us, the real fun is research, planning, finding and modifying the machine, to equip it to do that first week's work. That's including, of course, setting up the attachments, and the trailer and other retinue to get the stuff to the jobsite.
Please reassure us that you have capabilities, functions and new types of projects still to add.
Congratulations on a great week.