Leveling Top and Tilt

[paccorti]

All you top and tilt owners,

I'm curious, how do you know when your implement is level (not tilted side to side)? It's probably not a big deal but when rotary cutting I like the cutter to be level with the rear wheels. Since with hydraulic tilt it is so easy to tilt the three point (or leakdown) you might find yourself re-leveling it frequently. With my manual 3 pt tilt, I know I can level my 3pt and it will stay that way forever. I guess you just eyeball it...

Signed - still wanting top and tilt,

Peter

 

[Bird]

Peter, that actually is a bit of a problem for me. If the implement is raised, I can't look at the top of it behind me and tell whether it's tilted to one side or not. I'd have to get off and look at it from the side or behind. However, if I lower the implement to barely touch, or just nearly touch, the ground, then I can used the side tilt lever to level it (assuming the ground is level at that point).

Bird

 

[Branch]

I do the same as Bird. I park mine on a level floor and as I lower the scraper each night I make sure it's square to the floor. That way I know when I use it the next time that at least I'm starting out perfectly level.

Branch

 

[allmobile]

I have installed many top & tilt set-ups and I always put the manually adjustable link on the left side and adjust it so the implement is level when the tilt cyl. is collapsed. This doesn't work of course if you really need to be able to tilt both directions.

Brian

 

[RobertN]

I do the same thing that Branch does, which in turn is what Bird does /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

There's spots on my property that I know are level. Before I start doin something, I lower the implement on one of those spots, and check/adjust levels.

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[Bird]

Brian, I agree./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Because I had mine adjusted so that it was level when the tilt cylinder was centered. I figured that way I could tilt it easily either direction. However, since I only rarely tilt it, but do change the top link frequently, I just decided yesterday that having it level with the tilt cylinder collapsed was the way to go, both because that enables me to lift implements higher, and I've been known to accidentally move the wrong lever and change the tilt by mistake./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Ja, when I be brush hoggin' too you betcha I know that if I am plowin a furrow that I'm not levelin the hog too good. Actually I have had more trouble keeping a level brush hog than manipulating any other implement. I have probably dome more plowing with a brush hog than anyone. What I have developed is:

1. while stationary, adjust tilt
2. lower 3ph until at least one front corner hits the ground
3. do both corners hit ground at same time?
4. if yes,goto line 6
5. if no, goto line 1
6. raise 3ph to cutting position and go for it

(with apologies to any structured programmer)

 

[Rowski]

I've wonder about this too! I was going to insatll a T-n-T system on the NH2120 this summer but had to spend some of that money and MORE on some remodeling of the house. Got the news the stork is bringing me a package in late October. I was thinking of hooking up something similar to the loader level indicator, the ones with the rod inside a hollow tube. Thinking of even doing it to my manual tilt adjustment. I'm pretty sure something like this or similar would work. Anybody have any thoughts?

Derek

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>I was thinking of hooking up something similar to the loader level indicator, the ones with the rod inside a hollow tube.</font color=blue>

Derek, my first impression . . . good idea. But now I'm still sitting here scratching my head trying to think of what in the world would you attach it to./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

And congratulations on the new addition.

Bird

 

[paccorti]

Well I guess this wasn't a dumb question!

I had one idea for an indicator... how about something like a bicycle brake cable. Mount the cable to the moving portion of the tilt cylinder. In theory you could run it right to the dash and connect it to some needle indicator which displays tilt.

I guess you could also use a linear potentiometer or a linear optical encoder.

Peter