Bucket Level Indicator

[pacerron]

The one that came on my New Holland 820 TL is very similar but the movable rod is not completely hidden by the jacket pipe. There is a yellow target piece that slides up and down on the shaft to set the level by referencing it to one of the mounting clips. This is very practical because it is universal with different buckets and you can set it to another point if you just want to dig in a little.
As you said, doing it by feel becomes the norm anyway after a little practice, so it is just a gimmick for new tractor folks.

Here is picture of what I described above. Works fine on level ground where the tractor wheels are on the same plane, but how often is that...

 

[Rowdy Raven]

Chim,
I have a Kubota L3010 with FEL that does not have the original level indicator on the bucket. I would really like to add one like you have designed. Would there be a way that you could show a couple of close ups pix of the dampener swivel and the eye bolt location? I have found all of the parts for this project except for the dampener swivel. I have been to Grainger and a couple of other parts suppliers for HVAC and can not seem to locate a piece like you have here. Any details on where you got such, a part number, etc. would be most helpful. Thanks!!!!!!!!
Rowdy

 

[chim]

I'll get a couple pics tonight or tomorrow along with a small change to the pipe that should help.

 

[bandaidmd]

A couple of options: 1 - Cut an angle on the top of the PVC tube. You adjust the top point even with rod top when level & then you can lower the bucket to the bottom of the angle to lightly scrape. 2 - Cut the PVC so you remove one side of the upper 2". Again just as you have already done, align the top of the rod to the top of the PVC when the bucket is level. This will give you a better indication of the downward angle of you bucket.

I made mine to stick out of the top of the pipe, my level mark is a painted stripe about a inch down the rod.

 

[bandaidmd]

Chim,
I have a Kubota L3010 with FEL that does not have the original level indicator on the bucket. I would really like to add one like you have designed. Would there be a way that you could show a couple of close ups pix of the dampener swivel and the eye bolt location? I have found all of the parts for this project except for the dampener swivel. I have been to Grainger and a couple of other parts suppliers for HVAC and can not seem to locate a piece like you have here. Any details on where you got such, a part number, etc. would be most helpful. Thanks!!!!!!!!
Rowdy

Heat the bottom of the rod and bend it into a L then drill for a cotter pin, no special parts are required .

 

[puckgrinder85]

Here is picture of what I described above. Works fine on level ground where the tractor wheels are on the same plane, but how often is that...

That's what I thought, must be an older guy thing to have an indicator, I've never used one and can tell when my bucket is level without moving the tractor, its just an acquired skill using it. Like you said the setting is only good for ground level, anything else and its inaccurate. Seems like a waste to me but that's just my opinion.

 

[swick1]

Yep, my indicator is the flat bucket top. I have way more trouble with one side being too deep than bucket tilt.

 

[chim]

Us old guys just need all the help we can get.

 

[swick1]

When I bought mine I thought it would be a big deal but I never looked at it then I took it off because it was annoyingly noisy. I don't mss it

 

[WaxMan]

Here is picture of what I described above. Works fine on level ground where the tractor wheels are on the same plane, but how often is that...

The wheels of the tractor are on the same plane as the bucket more often then not. In fact in my opinion its rare in the course of a day that it's not on the same plane.