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.

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Not to worry, Charlie (as if you really were /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif) - I'll post a "short" list of still-to-come enhancements, additions, and modifications to the "EF-5 enhancements" thread in "Customization" soon.

MikePA · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Mark, there are some interesting hearing protection devices at one has an FM radio, noise attentuation and FRS connection.

MossRoad · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Here's what I found

The fittings are made in Italy.

On the Aux PTO NV 1 4 NPTF - 00L (this is the female one) and NV 1 4 NPTM - 00L (on the male fitting) I believe that these are 1/4", yes?

On the main PTO NV 1 2 NPTF - 00M (on the female end)
and NV 1 2 NPTM - 00M ( on the male fitting) I believe that these are 1/2"

Does this help, or do you need more info?

MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

MossRoad - If they're made in Italy, they probably have the brand name Faster on them somewhere. Did you notice that?

It does appear that one of them is 1/4" and the other is 1/2". Would you mind measuring the diameter of the male end of the 1/4" one sometime and also the overall length of the pair when they're connected? Also, I need to know if there's a groove around them like there is on the 1/2" models - the groove is normally used to hold the attachment ring of the rubber cover in place. If it's too much trouble, it's ok - I might be able to find the dimentions on-line somewhere...

MossRoad · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Yes, they are FASTER. Faster than a 3PT hitch, that is. Ha ha ha.

But seriously, it does say Faster on them. I'll measure them after I put the kids to bed.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 27, 2002

Re: What a long, strange trip it\'s been-EarthForce

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MChalkley · Mar 27, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Mike - I hope you realize you've cost me an entire evening mucking about on the Internet looking at noise cancelling ear muffs. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I've found some interesting stuff, in addition to the links you posted that started it all. For example, there's <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.impactguns.com/store/proear_promag.html>this link</A>, which is a muff that features NR26 and sound compression. It will amplify anything below 70db up to 8 times and reduce the volume of anything over 70db. In effect, you get much better hearing with low volume sounds (if you choose to), combined with protection against loud noises. Also, they don't just "cut out" when loud noises occur, like most electronic attenuators do, they actually reduce the volume of the loud noise, so you still hear it, it's just not loud anymore. That sure sounds like a safer way of doint it, to me. Now if I can just find somebody online that sells it for less...

Thanks for the leads!

MossRoad · Mar 28, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

OK, I put the kids to bed, then fell asleep myself. Sorry for the delay, here you go. Attached is image 1. It shows the larger 1/2 inch male main PTO connection right next to the blue dust cover. The other male connection is the 1/4 inch aux PTO connection. I measured the diameter of the male 1/4 inch connector and it appears to be about 9/16ths across at the tip. The inside diameter of the female 1/4 inch connector appears to be about 11/16ths across which is the size of the ring on the male connector.

You can also see that the 1/4 inch connector has the same ring as the 1/2 inch connector.

MossRoad · Mar 28, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

Here is image 5. It is pretty bad, but the lenght of the 1/4 inch connectors when hooked together appears to be about 4 inches, from the left edge of the left nut to the right edge of the right nut. Sorry for the bad photos, but it was dark at that end of the shed.

MossRoad · Mar 28, 2002

Re: EarthForce EF-5 usage report

And here is image 2, which shows the female end of the 1/2 inch main PTO connector and the male dust cover that fits inside of it. I'm assuming that is the ring you are talking about. I need to get ahold of some dust covers for the 1/4 inch lines. If you can tell me of a source, I would appreciate it.