Bucket level indicator

[HiTechTed]

I have noticed that some tractors have a rod-type bucket level indicator running along one side of the FEL. Have any of you guys made your own, and if so could you show me a couple of pics? I think I'd like that instead of the flat level indicator on my Kubota bucket, surely it's a bit more accurate. I just need to see how things are attached. Thanks!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just looked at the only photo I have of mine and you can see the rod , but not the attachment. Mine has a solid rod that rides up and down inside a sleeve that is welded to the loader arm When the bucket is level, the solid rod is even with the top of the sleeve. Only problem with that is that you cant tell how much below level it is. MY BIL NH has a rod with a V section bent in the middle and it slides up and down thru a slotted piece of flat bar that is tacked to the loader arm. You can tell the extent of movement in both directions with his.

 

[ovrszd]

I just looked at the only photo I have of mine and you can see the rod , but not the attachment. Mine has a solid rod that rides up and down inside a sleeve that is welded to the loader arm When the bucket is level, the solid rod is even with the top of the sleeve. Only problem with that is that you cant tell how much below level it is. MY BIL NH has a rod with a V section bent in the middle and it slides up and down thru a slotted piece of flat bar that is tacked to the loader arm. You can tell the extent of movement in both directions with his.

I built mine like Gary's BIL. I don't think I've got a good picture but I can describe it. I welded a 5/16x 2" bolt to the end of my bucket curl pin. Used a small enough bolt so the pin can still be removed. I then welded a short length of 1.25" flatbar to the end of the pin that holds the barrel end of my bucket curl cylinder. Again, narrow enough flat bar to allow removed of the pin. In this flatbar I drilled a 3/4" hole. I then built a rod from 5/16" rod with a V like described above at the approximate location so the V is sitting in the flatbar hole when the bucket is flat. At the other end of the rod I welded an adjustable Heim joint. I screwed a nut on the 5/16" bolt far enough to attach the Heim joint and add another nut to lock it in place. The adjustable Heim joint gives me adjustable accuracy and swivels with pin movement. The V is easy to see and as mentioned above, allows you tilt the bucket slightly downward and still know how far from level you are. I got the idea from my neighbors NH tractor. Took me an hour to cobble together. Can't imagine not having it. Speeds up loader tasks tremendously. When I recover from dumping the bucket I go straight to "level" so when I return to the donor pile I'm all set.

I've attached a pic. You can see my black rod sticking up on the tractor on the right. I put my leveler on the left side because I have better ground visibility on that side and am always looking over there anyway.

Tractor on the left is my Brother's with a Kubota leveler rod. It uses a similar method and is adjustable by slipping the rod in and out of the pipe at bottom and retaining it with the set bolt. His silver rod slips thru a hole in a flatbar. I like his a little better because his rod doesn't stick up in the air. I may bend my rod like that later. But right now I'm so happy to have it that I'm not complaining.

 

[HiTechTed]

Thanks guys for the pointers, I appreciate it. I could use one of these (trust me, I need one)...

 

[o2batsea]

Those things are always getting busted. I broke mine first week, fixed it and it got whacked again a few months later. Now I can eyeball it well enuf that it is not needed.

 

[ovrszd]

Before I built mine I got where I could eyeball it pretty close too. Then my Sons or Brother would borrow the tractor and complain about how hard it was to use. I'd watch them struggle and be very inefficient trying to get the bucket right. No one complains or has problems now. If I tear mine off, I'll immediately go to the shop and fix it. It just speeds up operation so much.

 

[muleman2]

I have read several posts on this site for years and finally joined the other day. I posted some pictures of some mods to my rear blade, underhood insulation, speakers, front end weight, etc. I mentioned the level indicator that I built but never posted pictures. Here are a couple if your interested. 3/8" rod with washer welded on the end for the bottom. 2" lightweight couplings with end pieces and bolt welded from the inside. The mark on the rod for level is just white paint (you can't see it with the bucket tipped). I took a dremel and recessed an area to paint white so the movement back and forth would not rub the mark off. Been working for 10 years.

 

[k0ua]

Well here is my observation:
My first 2 tractors had the sliding rod bucket level indicators, and I loved them.
Then I got a Kubota B7500, that just has the little piece of flat bar to judge level with, and thought to myself, "well that is about worthless" But I learned to use it and in a few days of loader work I was able to judge level pretty good. Now on second Kubota and doing fine with the little scrap of metal. I can always line up and level in for a good bucket full.

James K0UA

 

[MF RED in MT]

I have used one of my .375" diameter x 36" long fiberglass snow markers for a vertical reference on my front bucket, :thumbsup:. It is forgiving when it bends and returns to its normal position. KC

 

[Usta]

Here is the one I designed and built.
I use / rely on it constantly.
The design shows a strap on bracket and it worked but I later welded a tab in the loader cross bar.

I still have the strap on bracket I made if anyone seriously wants it.