Back up camera to watch front end loader bucket or forks?

[kthompson]

I recently bought tractor with FEL there is the issue is bucket level or tilted as you want, is the bucket full or filling as you want, are you low as you want and so forth.

I got to thinking wish I could see the bucket from the tractor seat. Must admit the set up does not lean itself to great visibility on a farm tractor with the hood between the operator and the bucket.

So why could you hot mount a car style back up camera in safe area above the bucket so you could see the bucket with monitor on your dash? Asked this before and was asked how do you keep dust off the camera, I doubt there is much more dust off of a bucket than rolling up around the rear of a car on dirt road.

Tell me there already is a kit out there for this.

KT

I looked at a few threads here and else where on this topic and all most seek to rely on the rod in the tube design which is simple but it still gives no indication of how full the bucket is and other aspects.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I really appreciate your avatar.

I've thought about mounting a camera as well. Hope you get some good responses.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Check out this thread, there is a lot in it about what you want to do.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ckup-camera-50-a.html?highlight=backup+camera

 

[Ed of all trades]

I might not be the best one to ask. I have been using a loader for at least 35 years. I just use the little flat piece of metal welded to the top of the bucket that is at the same angle as the bucket. I would say just keep working on it and slowly but surely you will get to the point that it is just easy. You will know and it won't take as long as you think. If you learn to walk with a crutch you will have ti learn all over again if you loose your crutch or move to another tractor without one. I pike your avatar as well. Ed

 

[Bensjamming]

We have one mounted on the rear of our skidsteer to be able to see what's behind us while backing up as there are more blind spots then not on that thing and we haven't had a problem at all. Been on there about a year and I have never had to once stop n wipe it off to see. Just mounted a toggle switch online direct to the battery and works great so no reason it wouldn't work on the front.

Hope this helps and harbor freight has em real cheap so it's like you'd be out much if it didn't work the way you thought. Think I paid like $30 on sale for ours.

 

[Dozernut]

I put a camera on my loader so I could see the fork ends when doing pallet work. I got my camera and monitor from Amazon and picked up a magnetic base from TSC National Hardware V7503 2-5/8 in. Round Magnet - For Life Out Here and mounted the camera on top of the brush guard.

This works well but it does not travel with the loader. When I get some free time I will fabricate a mount so the camera will raise with the loader.

So to answer your question, yes, you can mount a camera on your loader for better visibility, it works well. Not all systems are of the same quality so get the best that you can afford, the better the monitor the better the view. Mine has infrared and actually works better in low light than in bright sunlight. I do not have a cab, my system is supposed to be waterproof but when it rains I head to the house.

 

[blackdog2086]

I bought a back up camera system awhile back and just haven't gotten around to installing it yet. I went from an open station to a cab and my thoughts are that I'll mount it high in front instead. I don't need it to tell me that my forks are level, but to tell how close I am to an object and whether I'm high or low. A set of forks can do a lot of damage behind the weight of a tractor if they aren't exactly where they're supposed to be.

 

[kthompson]

I really appreciate your avatar.

I've thought about mounting a camera as well. Hope you get some good responses.

Thank you and so true as is yours. I hold the belief if you must do something and you can do so to your benefit or to your damnation do so for your benefit. We all will confess, just a matter of when.

 

[kthompson]

Thanks to each of you very much. I asked this question elsewhere and best reply was the flat piece of metal mounted to top of bucket and bent to show when level. Mind you a very durable system and price is right. Just when I have tried to pick up say pieces of wood have no idea if loaded or rolling around out front.

Now my problem is one for the fel, one for the 3 pth, one for the boom mower and one to cover the left side. No reason not to have all sides watched. lol

Did look a good bit at the thread duckslayer posted and wondered about the location most if not all of the monitors were mounted. Seems for back up you could mount it where the front view is not obstructed towards the top and to a side for backing up.

Again thanks to each of you and have a Bless Veterans Day. We have so much to be thankful for and so many we owe so much to.

 

[GPintheMitten]

A camera would be helpful. It does get easier over time to tell what depth and angle you have the loader at.