Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

[MChalkley]

Re: Chalkley 4-in-one buckets

Uh, well, ahem, I guess it was just that... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Well, I got the EF-5 unloaded today. I had intended to paint the bare metal additions but it was too cold. So, instead, I just rode around on it a little, checked out a few things I was curious about, and took some pictures for the TBN gang.

I no longer have any doubts about the tractive force of the EF-5. I pushed into a small pile of gravel (about 2 cu. yds.) I have stockpiled for road maintenance, and it filled the 2/3 yd 4-in-1 bucket, then started shoving the rest of the pile without difficulty. When I put the bucket against a bank, it dug 4 holes in the ground easily. The differential locks seemed to work pretty well, too, but I'll need some mud or snow to test them properly. It snatched the heaped 4-in-1 bucket full of gravel up off the ground easily, even with engine speed only at a fast idle. I wanted to try filling the 1.5 yd bucket with stone and try the same thing, but I didn't have time.

The only things I've found so far that need to be worked on are:

1) The suspension seat definitely needs a shock absorber like the one I put on the Kubota had. It's got plenty of travel and the spring works well, but a shock is a huge improvement, so I've got to take the cover off the suspension and see where I can add one. The seat itself is made in Italy, but I haven't seen a name on it I can translate to something I could look up on the web.

2) The 4-in-1 linkage needs to be adjusted. It will just barely start to close before it slips into the detent (which is used to power things like hydraulic rotary cutters and tiller with the same circuit). But I think this is a simple linkage issue.

Overall, I still think it's a killer machine. As I mentioned before, the loader easily moves more weight at fast idle than the L4310 would even think about lifting.

The attached picture shows a close up of the back of the 18" backhoe bucket D&E made. You can see the pin for the D&E quick-attach that holds the attachment on. The 20-oz. soda bottle cap sitting on the chain lifting eye is for size comparison.

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

A side view of the same backhoe bucket. The chain eye is clearer here. Also, you can see the quick-attach plate better in the side view. The tube you see at the top of the bucket is what the quick-attach plate hooks under. Other than the fact that you have to get off the machine to take the pin out or put it back in, it's great. Still, it only takes a minute to change between buckets, ripper tooth, auger head, etc.

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

A picture of the loader linkage side of the cab interior. Obviously, you see the cup and cup holder. Below that is the heater. The tall lever on the left is the 4-in-1 jaw open/close control (push it forward to open, pull it back to close), but it's also linked to the roll back/dump lever so you can move it right or left to roll back/dump, respectively. The tall lever on the right is the standard loader control - the button disengages the transmission for loader work. The shorter gold-looking lever to the left of the loader levers is the parking brake, in the up & engaged position. Behind it and to the right a little, the lever with the red handle on it is the manual throttle control, which is only used for backhoe work - depressing the accelerator pedal resets the manual throttle control to idle. The silver right-angle lever on the lower right is the loader controls lock-out.

MarkC

 

[gerard]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

very heavy duty looking machine Mark. I assume that's an air seat?

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Gerard - Thanks! No, it's a spring suspension seat.

MarkC

 

[gerard]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

oops, just got done reading one of your previous posts where you mention the seat, travel etc. Any reason you made the chain loop circular instead of the "chain dog" style?

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Gerard - I thought about using chain dogs, and I like them better for lifting only, but for combining the purposes of lifting and towing, I like the loop better. The loop allows you to connect straps, and any kind or size of chain with either a slip or grab hook, etc. Plus, I think it's a little more secure with the loop, though you can make a chain dog very secure with a piece of pipe or rod with pins through it. But, you still can't use the chain dog with more than a couple different sizes of chain.

MarkC

 

[gerard]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

good points - I KNEW you had thought it through!!

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Here's a picture of the EF-5's spartan instrument panel. The left gauge is hydraulic oil temperature, the center one is engine temperature, the right one is the fuel level gauge. The gauge in the upper right is the hour meter.

The unmarked switch at the bottom right of the panel is the steering mode control - full right is 4-wheel steer, center is conventional 2-wheel steer, and full left is crab steer.

The big red button upper left is an emergency kill switch. Hidden by the left steering wheel spoke are switches for turn signals, road lights, and a two speed heater fan. Hidden by the right steering wheel spoke are switches for front work lights, rear work lights, and a spare, which I'm going to use for hazard lights.

The indicator lights, from left to right, are glow plug, low charge warning, low-speed high-torque HST mode, oil pressure warning, and hydraulic oil filter restricted.

The lever on the left side of the steering column is the travel direction shuttle shift selector. It also pushes in for a dual horn on front and rear.

The pedals on the floor are accelerator (right, of course) and brakes.

MarkC