Goodbye Kubota, hello EarthForce

MChalkley · Dec 5, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Larry - As hard as depicting a white tractor is, I think depicting a clear glass cab doesn't stand a chance. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As for getting the cab, I think I came out pretty well on the deal, even if I am getting the EF-5 almost two months later than I was originally supposed to. That's the kind of deal where, to mutilate a cliche', "the warmth of the cab on cold winter days will be enjoyed long after the frustration of not having a machine for several months is forgotten."

MarkC

MChalkley · Dec 5, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - You hit on another thing that worries me about the cab, never having had one - its resistance to getting whacked by branches, etc. The two dealers I've talked to about them say they haven't had any complaints about durability, but that doesn't tell me how they're using them. I guess I'll find out for myself...

MarkC

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

I'll be the first to admint that I abused this tractor. I forced it through some really tight spots that a normal, caring individual would not do to his/her tractor. However, the broken windows seemed to come when I least expected it. All it took was one small branch snapping back and whack.

 MossRoad

MChalkley · Dec 5, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - Has anyone ever told you that your bedside manner stinks? I don't even have the tractor yet, and I'm seeing visions of it looking like a car that broke down in Harlem and had to be left overnight. You're not helping!!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Do you really beat on your equipment or do you use it as it was intended? I suspect you are a responsible owner/operator, from reading all of your posts, and doubt that you will ever let your equipment become the broken down rusted out s**t box that I have. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 MossRoad

MChalkley · Dec 6, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - Hmmm, that's a tough question. You might say I treat equipment as it was intended, given your admission of your own treatment of your stuff. Most manufacturers, on the other hand, would definitely say I abuse my equipment a lot.

I maintain my equipment, with the exception of washing and waxing it, better than anybody I know. However, I do not listen to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding limitations whatsoever, and I usually "tweak" everything to a considerable degree. So, basically, it gets treated well overall, but it doesn't get babied - I use it to the full limits of its potential, until I break something, then I fix what broke to be better than it was, then repeat the process... And if it won't do what I need it to do, or think it ought, I modify it until it will. This definitely stresses the design limits the engineers placed on it, but that's the way I use equipment. I never had a moments trouble treating my Kubotas that way - only time will tell if the EarthForce machine can take it, but I wouldn't be buying if every bit of research I've been able to do didn't indicate they can.

MarkC

MossRoad · Dec 6, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Yeah, I've been watching your posts. The Earth Force unit looks solid as a rock. I don't need anything that capable. I'm pretty close to placing my order for the PT425. The CEO OK'd the purchase with the stipulation that if it doesn't fit in the garage the day it arrives, I don't come in the house until it does. That's motivated me to throw away alot of stuff. I'm pretty sure I'm going to sell my 2500b. It is also too big for my needs. I can always rent a unit for a day for big jobs.

As I recall, you're getting a unit that is already in the US. When will you pick it up?

 MossRoad

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MossRoad - I'm picking it up Dec. 17. Then, I take it up the road a few miles to D&E Mfg, where the backhoe thumb, light brackets, "chain dogs", etc. will be installed, and I'll pick up the light material FEL bucket and the two backhoe buckets they made for me. Hopefully back home to start playing with it, I mean using it, by the 20th or so.

Bummer on the garage stipulation - I'm not sure whether it would be worth it to clean out my garage for a new tractor or not... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MarkC

HR_Mutt · Dec 7, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

MChalkley
The PLC thread faded into oblivion, status? I'm curious about it. Have you developed an I/O list?
regards
Mutt

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

Re: EarthForce EF-5 update!

Mutt - It's still very much in the research stage. I've been talking to vendors and a commercial developer, trying to bring the price down to something less that double ridiculous. I've pretty much settled on a vendor, Automation Direct, but everything else is still up in the air. I'll probably have to do an initial system with fewer sensors than I'd like to have eventually have, but at least with a PLC system, expandability will be very cheap, very easy and practically limitless.

Basically, if the project really happens, I'm going to start with an operator interface panel to display readings, provide status lights, allow setpoint changes, etc., then have a couple pressure sensors, and half a dozen temperature sensors as inputs. There won't be any outputs, except what the panel itself provides, unless I put in one for a buzzer.

MarkC

mwagoner · Dec 7, 2001

Mark,
I stopped by the local New Holland Dealer yesterday and they had an Earthforce EF-5 sitting on the lot. It was a used one, I just drove by it and thought, hey that's what Mark is getting I wonder if it is the same model, I checked today and yes it is. Anyway it was a nice looking machine. Hope it suits you well, sounds as if it will.
Later,

Matt

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

Matt - Interesting - any idea how old it was or how many hours were on it?

MarkC

Anonymous Poster · Dec 7, 2001

Mark,

For gp's... call the dealer and find why the Earthforce was traded... and for grin's what's the price...? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

John - If I knew who it is, I would. I guess we'll have to rely on Matt for more info...

BTW, what's gp's?

MarkC

DarinRay · Dec 7, 2001

I think he means general purpose. But might learn something else from this site as usual./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Darin

Anonymous Poster · Dec 7, 2001

...what's gp's...

General practice/principle...

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

John - Ok, gotcha. I was thinking 'purpose', like Darin was, but it didn't seem to fit too well.

It would be interesting to know those things, wouldn't it? All the EarthForce units I've seen so far on the used market were ex-rental units. I'm not too sure I'd ever be in the market for one of those...

MarkC

Anonymous Poster · Dec 7, 2001

Mark,

Did you ever have a liking for Oscar Meyer Weiner Hotdogs as a kid... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

The Green shape in your sig... looks like the Oscar Meyer Hotdog Vehicle... {this is really need to know info...} /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MChalkley · Dec 7, 2001

John - Hmmm - now that I look at it, it kinda does, doesn't it? It's called artistic expression... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

DarinRay · Dec 8, 2001

Ahhhh,,, see just like I thought.....learn something everyday here...Excellent job keep up the good work people. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

So when people say GP they normally mean general practice or principal? Darn it I think that that is the meaning people were referring to everytime I've ever heard it in the past.../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Mark I posted an ad for a used earthforce before in this post and sorta looked through it the other day and didn't see that anyone even look it up or did and didn't comment. I thought for GP it wouldn't be a bad idea to see how that owner liked it and such. Or even what size it was to compare the depreciation that he was taking. Well just another one of my hair brain thoughts. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Darin