Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Jimmy - There's more detail, and pictures, on the enhancements in the "EF-5 enhancements" thread - that's also where most of the pictures will go.

The brackets are for LED marker and turn/hazard lights. Around here, in eastern VA, you can't get a driver's license unless you can demonstrate that you don't mind running over a vehicle moving less than 25 mph. I plan on being seen!.

The backhoe is not removeable. Well, it is, but not easily. You can shift it completely to one side, the lock the boom to the other side, greatly reducing the rear clearance required, but you still have the weight. It's a trade-off I'm willing to accept.

BTW, attached is a pic of the whole rig ready to set sail for VA. My '93 Dodge 4WD truck is still dead waiting on clutch hydraulics, so my friend volunteered his '92 Dodge 2WD for the trip. Did a fine job - no trouble pulling it or stopping it. We checked the weight at a truck stop - 23,760 lbs. GCW.

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Another pic of the EF-5 loaded up and ready for the ride home.

MarkC

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

WOW!!! You could fit my PT425 in that cab/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif!! I'm heading over to the enhancements post. Nice job.

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

 

[JimmyO]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

They have the same requirements for a drivers licencse here in PA. Can't tell you how many times when I was roading a Backhoe, with marker and dome lights all flashing, that I was honked at and flipped off while being passed on a bend. The best were the ones that would swerve in front of you thinking that they were going to scare you. The morons never grasped that I was in 16,000 pounds of steel and they were in 3,000 pounds of tin.

I found the other pics, the thing looks really sharp. I was also able to figure out what the brackets were for. Can't wait to hear your performance evaluations.

Jimmy

 

[Thomas]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

What a beauty /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif
Just what can't you do w/that./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[HR_Mutt]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

<font color=blue>Let's just say that my reputation as a nut has been considerably reinforced.</font color=blue>
Who'da figured?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Keep the pics and "enhancements" coming!
regards
Mutt

 

[Bird]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Very impressive machine, Mark! Of course, it'd be useless in Texas since you've left off the most important "enhancement" of all - air-conditioning!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Is there room under the hood to add the a/c compressor and associated components later?

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Bird - As a matter of fact, I think there is room for AC stuff under the hood. I can't see myself adding that, though. Visualization of that won't come until August...

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Thomas - I'm very anxious to find out what she'll do. I was telling Al, of Twinkle Toes fame, that about the only indication I have of the power of the thing is the process of loading for the trip. When I lifted the 1500 pound hi-cap bucket with the 900+ pound 4-in-1 in it, with the 150-pound auger head and quick-attach bracket and 75-pound ripper tooth in that, with the engine at idle speed, it acted like it didn't know they were even there. That's already more than the total lift capacity of my L4310, even with jacked-up hydraulics and 1/2" larger cylinders. So, I think it'll do something, I'm just not sure what yet.

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Steve - I agree with you 100%. I've dealt directly with Long several times and they've always been very good to work with. "Willing to help in any way they can" is about the best testimonial I can give them.

MarkC