Auto leveling FEL?

   / Auto leveling FEL? #1  

Jeff_B

New member
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
2
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Does anyone know of a device to automaticly level the FEL when using a pallet fork attachment? I will be doing some pallet work with a 4310 JD and wonderd if such a devise existed. Thanks!!
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #2  
Not available on the 4000 series Deere, as I am told the additional weight of the mechanical arm arrangements would be too great and would reduce lift capacity. They are available on the 5000 series Deere and up, I believe.

But maybe this is open for "invention". A 'level' with gyro that would feed the right information to the hyd. valve box to keep the forks (or bucket) level might be a way to go (as long as expense isn't a limiter). Or a digital readout or visual indicator like the "tilt meter" that would let the operator know the "level" position of the bucket or forks. Hmmm?

Otherwise, you can (will?) get better and better with experience as to where the forks are level (I am not there yet either!). /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #3  
I have the mechanical self leveling loader on my NH TN. The loader on my Ford/ Nw Holland 2120 is not self leveling, but according to the manual their is a hydraulic self leveling option. It apears to be purely hydraulic in nature. Maybe Deere has something like that for your loader or maybe the NH system will work on your tractor.

Andy
 
   / Auto leveling FEL?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
In the process of deciding which tractor to buy I asked both NH and JD about the leveler, they had never seen a unit like that for a compact. But I was talking to a sales guy /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

Beenthere, that sounds like a great idea to use a gyro. One idea I had was to use a mercury switch that is wired to a electric solonoid valve that would give the proper input to the hydraulics and maintain level when it is activated.
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #6  
That is basically the leveleler used on the Kubota L48. It is a mixed blessing. While it works well, the extra plumbing would be a nightmare. All the plumbing will diminsh your view, trust me. It has it's faults in that it cannot be taken out of hydraulic leveling. That may well be one of the resons I think the new L48's are going to mechanical leveling. I have found with practice, using the loader control with both bucket and loader lift applied simaltaneously, you can do a pretty good job of keeping things level, that is of course providing your loader allows for such. My neighbors JD 790/70 does not allow for this, a real nuisance to me.
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #7  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That is basically the leveleler used on the Kubota L48. It is a mixed blessing. While it works well, the extra plumbing would be a nightmare. All the plumbing will diminsh your view, trust me. It has it's faults in that it cannot be taken out of hydraulic leveling. )</font>

As I recall there is an option available from Eaton which is a solenoid
in the self-leveling valve to bypass the mechanism. However it is not
available from Kubota.

I've found the Eaton valve to work better than it should considering
the design. Basically there is no feedback mechanism. It just guesses.
From what I understand the new design is mechanical/hydraulic with
the mechanical portion being a feedback link to the bucket. It is
probably cheaper than the Eaton valve and should be a more reliable
solution.

The most foolproof solution is the articulated parallelogram mechanism
but it has the drawback of adding additional dead weight to the loader.
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #8  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The most foolproof solution is the articulated parallelogram mechanism but it has the drawback of adding additional dead weight
to the loader. )</font>

Here is a drawing of the above.
 

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   / Auto leveling FEL? #9  
Page 10 of the PDF shows the bypass solenoid and explains operation.

Anyone have an idea of what this puppy costs???
 
   / Auto leveling FEL? #10  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Page 10 of the PDF shows the bypass solenoid and explains operation.
Anyone have an idea of what this puppy costs???
)</font>

I'd take a wild guess of $500-1000 from Eaton and about ten times that from
Kubota painted in charcoal gray.

I don't think you would want to retrofit this onto an existing loader. It is both
complex and big. I'd investigate a mechanically linked hydraulic system such as
the new L48's employ before I tackled this octopus.
 
 

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