Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

[gordon]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Sharp lookin rig you got there Mark. I like that cab. That is one of the things I miss most on my new tractor. Some days you will love having the cab other days you will hate it.

Looks like that bucket could move some dirt. They custom made that at the shop huh? NICE. Does it have a quick release plate? What about a grille guard? ok thats enough for now good luck with it. Saw the pic you posted of the fuse box, I see they upated it good for you./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

So what do you like about it most so far? and also least so far?

Gordon

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Gordon - Everything that goes on the front end loader uses a standard "Bobcat" quick-attach plate. Also, the 4-in-1 bucket hydraulics do double duty to enable you to power hydraulic implements like rotary cutters, tillers, power rakes, etc. up front. There's a detent in the 4-in-1 valve that enables it to stay in the on position.

There's no grill guard yet. That was one of the things that was on my "maybe" list for D&E, if we had time to get to it. We didn't, unfortunately.

So far, I think I like the responsiveness and control of the loader and backhoe controls most. As for what I like least, it would have to be the learning curve for the difference in the way it operates vs. a "normal tractor". I expect both to change over time, of course...

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

A pic of the EF-5 rarin' to go and ready to dig...

BTW, the woods in the background look like prime Brush Brute country, don't you think? I'm going to Folcomer's in Baltimore Wednesday to pick up the Brush Brute, Ammbusher, pallet forks, Switch Hitch, a couple of "Bobcat" quick-attach plates, a York landscape rake/grader blade combo, augers, etc.

MarkC

 

[gerard]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Mark, 1st I want to nominate you as "King of the hill" as I THINK you have the premier hill making, hill disposing of, machine!! Question on the rear stabilizers - they look like they come straight down as opposed to the kind that spread out as they come down. Was there an option? I can see the advantage in digging up tight where you don't want the outriggers in the way but don't you gain more stability with the outrigger types that spread out?

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Thanks, Gerard! There are some folks here who have lots heavier iron than my EF-5, though. Like bulldozers, for starters. But, for sub-10k equipment, I think the EF-5 is the "King of the hill", as you put it, as far as I can tell. If there's anything tougher, or stronger, out there, I wasn't able to find it.

You're right about the stabilizers. They're called vertical stabilizers, and they're an option with the center-mount backhoe, standard with the side-shift backhoe. Like most things, it's a compromise. They're not as stable in side-to-side digging as the outrigger style, but a lot more stable than nothing, which is what the outrigger style is worth in close-quarters situations. So it boils down to having something that's best in most situations and worthless in some, or something that's pretty good in all situations. It's especially important to have the verticals with a sideshift backhoe, because its design lets you get right up against a building, or whatever. Ideally, you should be able to pin an I-beam to the stabilizers with fold-down extensions that could be pinned into position to increase the spread when you could use it and needed it. If it seems like I need more stability at times, I'm going to look into doing something like that. My local engineer friend says it's not worth even thinking about, and reminded me of how many crane trucks use vertical stabilizers. Past experience tells me I should trust his opinion, but my paranoia makes me think I need to research I-beams... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MarkC

 

[bgott]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Does anybody make a side shift backhoe for a three point hitch?

 

[Thomas]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Mark,
I saw a attachment on a Bob Cat yesterday in for a tune up you may want to consider.
It was a scissors attachment for cutting down trees..so if you install one,you cut the tree BH the stump out..carry the stump away w/the FEL..fill in the hole w/the FEL..drag the tree to stock pile...oops forgot ..do you still have that chainsaw thats cuts throw butter like a hot knife./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
Only question I have...maybe a miss that one...how come no pictures of you w/your new investment./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

May you and your family have a safe and wonderful holidays.

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

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

bgott - Not that I know of. It would have to be pretty massive because of the frame required.

MarkC

 

[MChalkley]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Thomas - Those scissors attachments look pretty cool, don't they? I've seen them for 3-point hitches, too, but I've never seen one in action.

One of the very first pictures I posted after I got back from picking the EF-5 up was one my friend took of me in the cab looking for the accellerator... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif And another one of me with the D&E implements. Personally, I'm glad you missed them! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

It's just human nature to want to be somewhere you aren't, but I sure would like to be in your part of the country right now. NH, VT, & ME are my favorite places to visit.

MarkC

 

[MossRoad]

Re: More EF-5 info, pictures

Did I miss a picture of the crab steering in action?

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