I NEED A TIP HOW TO SEE IF MY BUCKET IS LEVEL THE GROUND

[ovrszd]

I use the same technique. It is a great time saver.

An operator that has never used an effective indicator would struggle to understand.

 

[Mendonsy]

I made one for my loader about 10 years ago, mostly for using with the forks mounted. It has one fixed pointer that shows where the bucket position will be at ground level, a second moving pointer that shows the bucket position at the current level, and a rotating dial that moves with the bucket. Here's a picture.

 

[Billrog]

Well thought out.

 

[ovrszd]

Impressive!!!

 

[Egon]

An operator that has never used an effective indicator would struggle to understand.

Yep, that's me.

I recall fifty or so years ago when I was around dirt moving equipment that none had any type of level indicators. Yet things got levelled.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, that's me.

I recall fifty or so years ago when I was around dirt moving equipment that none had any type of level indicators. Yet things got levelled.

I hear ya. I run a blade. I cut a 60x50 pad for my shop level within an inch. And I can build a roadbed level with the proper crown. But that doesn't mean level indicators aren't advantageous.

 

[Oldpath05]

"But that doesn't mean level indicators aren't advantageous."<<<<<<<Let me guess is your favorite game Scrabble...........

 

[ovrszd]

"But that doesn't mean level indicators aren't advantageous."<<<<<<<Let me guess is your favorite game Scrabble...........

Nope, just thought it was a good word to use to describe the gain of having one.

 

[Oldpath05]

Here's what I did

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-3016-a.html?highlight=bucket+level+indicator

I went to that thread, cant quite figure out what your looking for to indicate bucket angle, dose the rod come through the top of the tube to indicate bucket level?

 

[ovrszd]

I went to that thread, cant quite figure out what your looking for to indicate bucket angle, dose the rod come through the top of the tube to indicate bucket level?

Since he's not online right now, I'll offer an answer.

Yep. The rod slides back and forth thru the tube. When the end of the rod is even with the top end of the tube, bucket is level when sitting on the ground. That's what drove my comment about using it when rolling the bucket backward to level. You stare at the tube waiting for the rod to appear, then stop curl. Hard to tell how far forward your bucket is tilted without exposing the rod and then adjusting from there. I used that type for several years. You get used to it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Since he's not online right now, I'll offer an answer.

Yep. The rod slides back and forth thru the tube. When the end of the rod is even with the top end of the tube, bucket is level when sitting on the ground. That's what drove my comment about using it when rolling the bucket backward to level. You stare at the tube waiting for the rod to appear, then stop curl. Hard to tell how far forward your bucket is tilted without exposing the rod and then adjusting from there. I used that type for several years. You get used to it.

Yup, when the rod is flush with the end of the tube, the bucket is level.

 

[4570Man]

I had a bucket level indicator rod,,, and removed it!!
The indicator only was correct,,, if,,, the ground is level,, that never happens.

I just learned how to "know",,,

That was my approach.

 

[Creamer]

I went to that thread, cant quite figure out what your looking for to indicate bucket angle, dose the rod come through the top of the tube to indicate bucket level?

Mine comes through the tube a little so when the tip of the rod sticks out about an inch or so it is level. Since it was a black rod, i.e. difficult to see in various light conditions, I painted the tip white with the bottom of the white being level.

 

[zzvyb6]

1. Mount an ordinary magnetic mount angle indicator on the bucket at any position you want to call level. Then mount a WiFi camera to the bucket looking at the level indicator. Pull up the WiFi picture on your phone and adjust as necessary.

2. Glue a piece of string on the top of the bucket and the other end on your hat. Adjust the bucket string until your hat no longer comes off.

3. Hire an unemployeed person to stand next to your tractor and use previously agree upon hand signals to adjust the bucket.

4. Put 4 casters under the bucket so that it will be level all the time when you float the control.

5. Bolt a 20' 2x6 on the top of the bucket so that the far end hits the ground in front of you (which you can see) when the bucket is level.

6. Weld the cylinders in place when the bucket is level. Then it will never be un-level.

7. Bolt an old school desk to the bucket (the kind with an ink-well). Put a glass of your favorite beverage in the well and use a broom stick to push and pull on the bucket control until the liquid in the glass is level.

8. Mount a pto air compressor and use it to inflate the front tires until the bucket is level. (Hint, start off with the tires 1/2 flat).

9. Build a fence along side the tractor work area and paint level lines on it to quickly gauge the bucket's levelness.

10. Use a sprayer head mounted vertically on the side of the bucket. When the spray plume is centered around the nozzle, the bucket will be level.

 

[Egon]

Zzvyb6; now those are good ideas.

#6 will only apply if the tractor is sitting level.

# 1 has real potential. Install some servos on the tractor, interface with a computer and use a game type controller while sitting in the back yard.

 

[Ford850]

Yup, when the rod is flush with the end of the tube, the bucket is level.

Why not cut the tube a couple inches shorter, and have an indicator line at the level point. Maybe change the color of the rod at the level point (ie red for the 2" protruding, and green inside the tube when level). Then you can have a better idea how far back you have to curl to get it to level. I use my indicator a lot, and to me the sweet spots just above or below level are helpful to find and repeat sometimes. Nice work OldPilgrim.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I still have a bucket level indicator on my tractor. I seldom use it as it's faster usually to work without it. You just develop a feel for how the bucket is digging. I've often wondered if a person was to cut away half the tube for about two inches on the top then you could see when the rod was moving close to level. Maybe that will be a project one of these days.

 

[ovrszd]

Why not cut the tube a couple inches shorter, and have an indicator line at the level point. Maybe change the color of the rod at the level point (ie red for the 2" protruding, and green inside the tube when level). Then you can have a better idea how far back you have to curl to get it to level. I use my indicator a lot, and to me the sweet spots just above or below level are helpful to find and repeat sometimes. Nice work OldPilgrim.

I tried that with my first one. Worked great for awhile til the paint wore off and/or faded. Then I went back to using the end as a guide. Several companies that build commercial grade FEL equipment use the tube idea. Best thing about it is you minimize having a rod sticking up in the air above the FEL frame and getting caught on brush. My idea of a V notched rod sliding thru a gate has that issue. I've bent mine several times.

 

[ayrport]

thanks every one for the great help, this forum is a great place with a lot of helpful members!
thanks every one

 

[ovrszd]

If you do any modifications or additions to your FEL concerning this issue be sure to come back here and post pics!!!