Front-End Loader Level indicator help

[BayouMan]

Hey guys,
I have a Bush Hog Brand loader on my old JD-2640. The loader was bought used and I had it mounted on my tractor last year.

What I am looking for help on is, I need a level indicator for my bucket. I have looked at other tractors and they either have a rod going through a small pipe with a color change at the point where the bucket is level with the ground, or a ring of sorts with a crook in the rod coming from the bucket, that indicates when the bucklet is level the lowered position. I can get reasonably close to getting the bucket level, but more often than not, I either end up digging down or skidding over when I am trying to get a load into the bucket.

I figure I could fabricate one, but if one is available, already made, I might save myself some time on trial and error process of making one work and also not get heat stroke while trying to make one.

I have done a little searching on google to see if that part is available, but not much information.

Any ideas or pictures of one would be most helpful.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[whistlepig]

Hey guys,
I have a Bush Hog Brand loader on my old JD-2640. The loader was bought used and I had it mounted on my tractor last year.

What I am looking for help on is, I need a level indicator for my bucket. I have looked at other tractors and they either have a rod going through a small pipe with a color change at the point where the bucket is level with the ground, or a ring of sorts with a crook in the rod coming from the bucket, that indicates when the bucklet is level the lowered position. I can get reasonably close to getting the bucket level, but more often than not, I either end up digging down or skidding over when I am trying to get a load into the bucket.

I figure I could fabricate one, but if one is available, already made, I might save myself some time on trial and error process of making one work and also not get heat stroke while trying to make one.

I have done a little searching on google to see if that part is available, but not much information.

Any ideas or pictures of one would be most helpful.

Thanks,
Mike

The one on Kubota loaders is about is basic as it gets. It's a metal bracket about 4" long on top of the bucket that is level with the bottom of the bucket. After you use a level indicator a while you won't need it anymore. You will be able to tell by looking at the bucket if it is level or not.

 

[crusty 1]

I think that there available from any dealer.They do help when you,re trying to hurry,saves time trying to look at the bucket:thumbsupave

 

[RalphVa]

I got mine free from the dealer. My FEL came without the level indicator. When I asked the dealer about it, he provided me one. Said they'd forgotten to put it on. It makes a BIG difference, particularly this winter when I used that thing A LOT, and its important to get the bucket level to the driveway when pushing snow.

Ralph

 

[BayouMan]

Well, I have decided to go ahead and fabricate my own indicator. Shouldn't be too hard to do. Bought a piece of 5/16 steel rod today. Should have everything else in my scap pile. I'll post pictures of the build, when I get started.

Thanks for the replies.

Mike

 

[countrybumpkin]

I would like to see what you come up with, I am thinking of making something for my kubota I had the little flat plate on the top of my bucket, really didn't care for it. I removed it when I modified my bucked to a SSQA. looking at maybe a rod style with the notch in it.

 

[BayouMan]

I am basically copying the set-up that my neighbor has on his JD CUT. Has the rod going from one of the bucket arms, up through a piece of pipe that will pivot. Besides a paint color change at the point the bucket is level, I hope to be able to cut a shallow notch around the rod and make that notch a contrasting color.
I'll probably get started on it tomorrow.

Mike

 

[BayouMan]

Well guys,
I got the indicator fabbed, painted and installed today. I think it came out pretty nice, even if I do say so myself.

As soon as I can get help to figure out why my computer does not recognize my camera, I will post pictures. Had my computer worked on a few weeks ago and I have not been able to get it to recognize my camera since. Never had a problem before.
Mike