Another Bucket leveler

[bigdad]

Looked over some older posts on bucket level indicators. Came up with this one. Works better than guessing.

What a great site this is.......I enjoy the many great ideas and help you folks are willing to share. A wealth of information. Thanks!

 

[HomeBrew2]

Great idea with the eye-bolt! Takes all the alignment variables out of it.
Cheers!

 

[Barnboy]

Those are much better than the factory original. I like your design. Looks good. I enjoy custom mods. It kinda makes you feel good when you come up with something as usefull as that. Great Job!

 

[bigdad]

I was about to remove the Kubota supplied level indicator plate. (The one with the decal) Glad I didn't because it provided a good platform to attach the rod. Do you suppose Kubota meant that for that purpose? (Nah!)

I am concerned about the rod's position when the bucket is curled. Sticks up quite a ways. Perhaps a slight curve could be bent into the rod without hindering movement. I need the entire length when the curl cylanders are fully extended.

 

[PineRidge]

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I am concerned about the rod's position when the bucket is curled. Sticks up quite a ways. Perhaps a slight curve could be bent into the rod without hindering movement. I need the entire length when the curl cylanders are fully extended.

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A very easy fix to your problem might be a bracket like my drawing. With this it can be moved closer to the bucket and your rod shortened. The bracket mounts on your cylinder.

 

[Henro]

Bigdad,

That looks great!

But I have a question, being a fan of the stock Kubota level indicator. Doesn't a rod type indicator, on a loader like you and I have, which is not self leveling as hight is changed, only indicate level at one position of the loader bucket?

I know with my LA402 loader, the bucket angle will change as the loader arms are moved up or down from a given position.

Gee...I think I am on the way to answering my own question as I think this out. Maybe you (or anyone) can confirm what I am now thinking.

Is the geometry such that a mark on the indicator rod will always sit at the same place regardless of loader arm height, when the bucket is level?. I mean, the bucket is level at some position, and the rod is marked at the place where it passes through the eye bolt. Then you raise the bucket and the rod moves the mark away from the eye bolt. If you adjust the bucket tilt to where the mark comes back to the eye bolt, is the bucket level again?

Have you checked it with a level, say at a low and a high position to see how well the indicator works over the range of loader arm movement?

I just may want to copy what you have done there if my understanding of how this level indicator actually works is correct, and if it is pretty accurate over the range of movement of the loader.

I have been pretty satisfied with the simple Kubota indicator, but am starting to see the advantage of your setup if it works like I think.

Appreciate any insight offered... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Henro]

Mike,

That was pretty slick the way you snuck that Fosamax add in there!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[1948berg]

Have anybody tried with a wire and a hose (something like what you use on outboard motors and steering on boats) That way you could have an indicator near you, very visable

 

[bigdad]

Gunnar,

That's a GREAT idea!

 

[bigdad]

Yo Mike.....

Thanks..... I'll give it a try. Looks like a winner. Stay tuned!

 

[KubotainNH]

I made one with a rod inside a tube. It is only accurate when the FEL is dropped all the way. If you set the bucket level according to the rod and lift the FEL then the bucket tilts with the rise of the FEL. It's not perfect but is helpfull when the bucket is all the way down and hard to see.

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is the geometry such that a mark on the indicator rod will always sit at the same place regardless of loader arm height, when the bucket is level?. I mean, the bucket is level at some position, and the rod is marked at the place where it passes through the eye bolt. Then you raise the bucket and the rod moves the mark away from the eye bolt. If you adjust the bucket tilt to where the mark comes back to the eye bolt, is the bucket level again?)</font>

Henro,
I don't think so?...
I tried to lay it out in my CAD and couldn't get it to come out. I used the pivot point of the bucket and also another place on the bucket to see. Maybe someone else can give it a try?

 

[PineRidge]

Henro we have stock in the Pharmaceutical Industries. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bigdad hope it helps you!

 

[bigdad]

Hey Mike.....
I took your advise on the bracket. Ended up using a 1-1/2" muffler clamp. Welded a tab onto it. Your suggestion made the rod over a foot shorter. Also bent a gentle swoop in the rod so that follows the arm of the FEL.

Really got crazy and added a fifty Cal tool box to the brush guard bracket. Attached it without welding or drilling the bracket. Used some of that "Majic" Kubota orange implement paint. Not exactly a match but better than olive drab on the ammo box.

Thanks again to all for their help.
B.D.

 

[bigdad]

Another view of swoop rod.

 

[PineRidge]

Looks like you came up with a good plan Bigdad, glad I could be of some help. Nice paint job too! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[john_bud]

Guys,

I "think" you are mounting them upside down. The rod can be much shorter if you limit it's downward motion at the top by bending it over or adding a stop. Have the bottom "free" but aligned by a second loop at the bottom of the cylinder. Keep the bolt on platform on the bucket cylinder's rod. The indicator will only move when the bucket is fairly close to being level. That's the only place you care about it, right?

Here's a picture of where I got the idea. It's an old Ford Industrial loader level indicator and is a bit more elaborate, but you get the idea.

jb

The

 

[bigdad]

john_bud,

That setup on the old Ford looks like a much cleaner design. With spring here, I guess that I am committed to the top side indicator for now. (My better half thinks that I should be "committed")

We're building a new church and it looks like my little orange beast will be put to task with straightening out the landscape.
No doubt will be picking you folk's brains on that project.

Thanks all! B.D.

 

[bigdad]

Hey Henro,

I took two photos of the bucket all in the "level" position. A yellow marker at the eyebolt. As the bucket is raised the bucket goes out of level as predicted. What's nice is that you can level it while the bucket is in the air and return to the scraping chore etc. Ready to float too.

Is this an adaquate answer?
This photo is at ground level.
Bigdad

 

[bigdad]

With the bucket about a foot in the but indicating level.