JustGary
Silver Member
You guys got me thinking about it, so here's the "Just Gary" level indicator. I have not built one, but it should work.
You need to use two rods to get a level indicator that works for all loader arm heights. Make the first rod like you normally would, except don't put the upper end through a ring yet.
Now make a second rod similar to the first, but anchor it to the loader frame at the driver's end, and make it the same height above the loader arm pivot as the first rod is above the bucket pivot. Make a ring at the end of the second rod so that the first rod will slide through it. Attach a ring to the loader arm to keep the second arm in the same relative position on the arm (just like you normally do with the single rod, only anchor the second rod and put the first rod through the ring in the end of the second).
If you place a mark on the first rod where it passes through the ring on the end of the second rod when the bucket is level, the mark will always indicate level no matter what the arm height.
Like I said, I didn't build one, but if you keep the distance from the pivots to the rod ends the same and the rod lengths the same, it should work. Note that the ring on the end of the second rod will move on the arm, but the mark will be in the ring when the bucket is level.
The attached drawing shows an example of the principle. The rods meet at the ram pivot with the arms down, but the same length rods would meet above the ram end with the arms up.
I'm sure somebody will build one tomorrow and let us all know if it works.
- Just Gary
You need to use two rods to get a level indicator that works for all loader arm heights. Make the first rod like you normally would, except don't put the upper end through a ring yet.
Now make a second rod similar to the first, but anchor it to the loader frame at the driver's end, and make it the same height above the loader arm pivot as the first rod is above the bucket pivot. Make a ring at the end of the second rod so that the first rod will slide through it. Attach a ring to the loader arm to keep the second arm in the same relative position on the arm (just like you normally do with the single rod, only anchor the second rod and put the first rod through the ring in the end of the second).
If you place a mark on the first rod where it passes through the ring on the end of the second rod when the bucket is level, the mark will always indicate level no matter what the arm height.
Like I said, I didn't build one, but if you keep the distance from the pivots to the rod ends the same and the rod lengths the same, it should work. Note that the ring on the end of the second rod will move on the arm, but the mark will be in the ring when the bucket is level.
The attached drawing shows an example of the principle. The rods meet at the ram pivot with the arms down, but the same length rods would meet above the ram end with the arms up.
I'm sure somebody will build one tomorrow and let us all know if it works.
- Just Gary
