It's part of the auto bucket leveling system .....
I think you're right.
For the external benefit of the Internet searching for IH Hough H-80B Payloader information, the optional attachments where
1) Automatic bucket positioner.
2) Air cleaner Service gauge (my dump truck has one of those it a is a little vacuum float).
3) Back up alarm (I will put an on/off switch on that once I fix the wiring).
4) Cab and side enclosure assembly (are you effing nuts running one of these things open station, I mean I've seen them, but yeah, no).
5) Cab heater with side defrosters (I was told that works).
6) Cold Weather Starting (It has an aftermarket tank heater on a heater line, but nothing that I have seen preheating fuel or hydro oil).
7) Fenders.
8) Mirrors.
9) Logging kit (I wonder what that is?).
10) Low-level lighting kit (it looks like what the lower front-facing lights are in the photo in a prior post).
11) ROPS, with cab and side enclosure (The cab looks "mashable," I wonder what the ROPS looks like?).
12) Seat belt (safety first).
13) Tire inflation kit (well that'd be hella useful! Put that air-brake compressor to work. Go Army! I miss epically expensive junk like that on crappy utility vehicles).
14) Tachometer and optional gauges.
15) Turn signals (awe, you're going to run that little car over making a left turn, aren't you?).
Other fun facts from the brochure I found. The H-80B weighs 31,900 pounds plus whatever the tires weigh. Max lift is 30,121 pounds. Boom lift in 7.1 seconds, lowers in 5.0 seconds. The main hydro pump pumps 82 gallons per minute at 2,500 rpm at 2500 psi. (what, what?!) The steering pump is rated at 42 gallons per minute at 2,500 rpm and 2,000 PSI. and the relief is set at 2,500 PSI. The pair of boom lift cylinders are 6" bore with 42" of travel, the curl cylinder is 7" with 22" of travel and the pair of steering cylinders are 4" with 17" of travel. Breakout force is rated at 31,000 pounds.
Standard gauges are
Air pressure
Engine coolant temp
Engine oil pressure
Engine fuel pressure
Hour meter
Torque-convertor oil temperature
Voltmeter
The standard 24v alternator is rated at 65 amps.
Other fun things are from the owner's manual.
The "getting to know" your payloader cartoon.
The remember to service your payloader cartoon.
And the advice on how to wreck every tree...
This is as much fun as a new boat!