Earth Force EF3 can I save it

I have a EF3 Earth Force and found parts are just not to be found. Well I like this backhoe loader and it has been a great tool in my Co. I have a asphalt co. and I didn't like the marks made by tires and the land and grass being tore up by skid steers. It also allowed me to turn in a short area as it has 4 wheel turning, so I didn't haft to take a large area needed to do repairs in a parking lot that was open. Well I have started to use Bob Cat b250 parts to replace the hydro unit that I can get, "but costly". Now so far we had to make special fittings to fit the new hydro pump unit as they are bigger in size on some lines and are a different thread it is a European thread, plus add a new hydraulic pump as it wasn't the same and the old just didn't fit. I hope to have it done this week end and will post as to how it came out and cost and problems we had if it works.
My only thought is the pressures and blowing seals on parts left in the hydro side of the backhoe. So I plan to reset the pressures lower then raise them when we start the unit and before we engage the hydro. We have some unknown area's that I'm dealing with because the lack of info available, but I still like the unit and want save it as to replace it is same thing I have now no parts, We don't make them anymoor they keep telling me. I think the cooling system on the hydro was the problem and plane to make it better.
Hope it work's

The main regulator valve will open when the predetermined pressure is reached and protect the rest of the system,the flow from the pump ideally should be the same as the original,most manufactures use pump's,valves and motors from a specialist maker rather than make their own,the component usually will have a tag with some info and makers name,I was impressed by the video of EF3 that is on utube it's easy to understand why you like it so much.
Good luck
AJ

A good Hydraulic shop can get fittings in almost any threads size or type. If you take the old ones in with you.

I took the lines to the hydraulic shop and they cut and braised the line ends to new hose at the cost of $450.00. The threads on the new hydro unit was British pipe so it took some changing from metric to the British pipe. I now have a BobCat b250 hydro unit in a Earth Force EF3. It has a lot of power now and a bit faster and much stronger.
I had to also have a coupling made to mate the gear on the hydro to the hydraulic pump. It was cut on a wire cuter at a machine shop in my area and I was told it took two hours to program. I was able to trade for some air compressor work on their air system as I have been doing air systems for 40 years. I need a male to female and on the Earth Force it was female to female coupling from the hydro to the hydraulic pump. I think the oil cooler was the problem and I guess hrs. that made it go bad as the oil cooler under the seat wasn't the best place. I have cleaned the cooler and made the fan run on a switch that way I know it doing it's job and not think it is.
I had some cylinders rebuilt and the shop told me their wasn't any sign of the seals so at that time I drained the fluid and changed the filters. Now when I opened the old hydro unit I found behind the many pistons it has ground pieces of them. I'm not sure but I think I could have maybe saved the old hydro but went to far to turn back and try to get them to take the parts back. I mite still try to put it back together and see if the old one will work again.
Well just wanted to post a up date and it is back out digging again. Not a easy job but can be done and I was told by other shops and dealers it couldn't be done.... So if you rebuild cylinders and find no seals I can tell you ware they are at...LOL

Hello there! I have an EF3 also, bought it with what the seller said was a 'weak hydraulic system', and have had the same exact
problems as you. Guess he overheated it one too many times! I did find a hydro pump online that is similar to mine, and after a few
'modifications', I now have it installed and hooked up. Much time and energy spent on this machine so far, wow! I am now at a
standstill as the original gear pump on the rear of the main pump, which is still good as all attachments operate, is a 9 spline shaft
and the hookup on the main is 11 spline female. I read with interest how you had an adaptor made up for this issue. I had the same
idea, but no where up here in the northwoods to get it done! I think it may just be simpler and quicker to simply purchase a new gear
pump! My only issue with this is that I need an 11 spline - 3/4" shaft that is 1 1/4" long to reach the main through the mounting
adaptor. Otherwise, it is just a standard A mount pump, clockwise rotation with outlets on either side, which I find pretty common but
most all have 9 splines. As I said, I am at a standstill here and becoming very frustrated with this machine. Any advice, information
or instruction you could give would be very welcomed and appreciated. I would give you my email or phone # if you were so inclined to
talk back and forth.