Bucket level indicator

BenderKC · Dec 25, 2004

Well, I had to twist the arm of the 23 year old daughter in graduate school to believe there really was something called a bucket level indicator. After nearly 3 months of saying that is what I wanted for Christmas, you'll never believe it, she did the right thing and got ol' Dad taken care of. Told her I really needed it yesterday when I was out doing some "work". Will get it installed today!! Now maybe I will be a little more efficient. Now if I only had asked for a tooth bar..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

beenthere · Dec 25, 2004

For the first 2-3 years of using my FEL, I didn't pay any attention to the bucket level indicator. Just would 'feel' the ground with the front edge and move one way or another (to dig, or not to dig).

It wasn't until I added the forks that I realized 'feeling' their position wasn't working for me. Dug a lot of holes with those forks, and then realized "duh, use the indicator".

So I marked the rod with a black marker, which wore off soon. Then I decided I would just saw it off flush with the tube it ran in, and was just beginning to saw when I realized the rod would be too short, and fall out of that tube when the bucket was fully curled (dumped) down.

Then is when I used a round file (chainsaw) and scored a circle around the rod, and dobbed it with white paint. The scored rod with paint doesn't wear off, and I use that mark a lot. Often after dumping, and when lowering the arms, I will at the same time, return the bucket or forks to their 'level' position and be ready to move when they reach the ground. Couldn't (or wouldn't) be without the indicator now. Enjoy yours.

RalphVa · Dec 27, 2004

I just dobbed some white paint around the rod at the top of the cylinder that it fits in.

I didn't follow the instructions regarding cutting off part of the rod or cylinder during installation. Don't understand why they said to do that.

Don't know how anyone can "feel" the ground with the bucket. I had no idea where the bucket was. When I thought it was level and get off the tractor to look, it'd be way off. Think the level indicator is great. Mine came without one. I mentioned it to the guy who delivered the tractor. He apparently said something to the saleseman who got me a level, no charge. Said they were supposed to come with them.

Ralph

dicker · Dec 27, 2004

Good morning

My 430 FEL also did not come with a bucket level indicator
However, once I realized that the top of the bucket was parallel to the cutting edge, I had no troubles. I never did buy one.

mhalla · Dec 27, 2004

( ...once I realized that the top of the bucket was parallel to the cutting edge, I had no troubles. I never did buy one.)

I never bought a bucket level indicator either and was not lucky enough to have my dealer provide one for free. I too use the bucket top as my guide.

However this last week while using my FEL to move lots of deep snow, I found there were times the top of my bucket was mounded over with snow. As such I couldn't see the top so had to guess when my bucket was level or get off the tractor repeatedly to remove the snow from the bucket's top.

Now I am thinking about buying a bucket level indicator.

Mike

dicker · Dec 27, 2004

Yes, I agree with you. This past Thursday's snowfall, however, was the only time in 2 years that the snow did pile up on the top of the bucket. Because of the freezing rain that we had after the snowfall, the snow was very heavy and wet and did cake up on the top of the bucket. Hopefully, that won't happen too often.

RalphVa · Dec 28, 2004

I realized that the top of my bucket sides were parallel with the bucket bottom. This knowledge and being able to see the bucket top did not help much in getting the bucket flat. The bucket level is the best way to know for sure, apart from a trial and error effort of moving, getting off tractor and looking and then trying again.

Ralph

dicker · Dec 28, 2004

Yes, I agree that there is some trial and error to getting the bucket at the desired angle, whether that is flat, slightly up or down, but I found that with time it just becomes second nature.

jonesiera · Jan 4, 2005

Does the FEL come with a Bucket Indicator? I noticed a Rod in a tube on the right side of the bucket , is this what is called a bucket Level Indicator? JD 410 Loader