Camera for loader

[Tony M]

. It was so bad that I stationed my wife off to the side to tell me if I was doing it right..(not a lot of guys would admit to that!)

James K0UA

Ha ha - I will, James. Then I remembered why I prefer Satnav to her directions. Anyway, she lost interest after a while and wondered off to do something with her horses.

Anyway, big thanks for all the replies and helpful advice. I'm sure the collective wisdom that it's all about practice and experience is spot-on. I just can't help wondering if a cheap camera might save some time and ground damage in the interim.

I've got the hang of getting a full bucket from a pile of dirt (most of the time, anyway). It's just skimming over the ground that I find difficult. I keep seeing bobcat operators doing what I want to do, but I keep digging too deep or missing the ground altogether. So, I take the easy way out and set the bucket to float and smooth it by dragging the bucket backwards. Does some good and little damage but it's a slow way to go and doesn't use the potential of the machine.

As for the grab function of the 4 in one bucket - well I'm a bit like I am with chopsticks, only worse - quick way to starve.

Still, buoyed by the responses here, I'll go out into the scrub and spend a few hours playing and see if I feel I'm getting anywhere. But hasn't anyone tried the camera trick?

Cheers
Tony

 

[oliver2255]

i did not say say expierence is what was need nothing beats getting on and working with the machine but im also passing along little tips that helped me along the way. i have been fortunate enofe that i have had good teachers. but there things that you know with out realy being therein person it is hard to explain so i do my best to pass along advice. that was shown to me by people that are 30 years my senior.

 

[IslandTractor]

As for the grab function of the 4 in one bucket - well I'm a bit like I am with chopsticks, only worse - quick way to starve.

The "grab" function of the 4n1 is grossly over rated. It can be useful for an occasional pickup of a branch or rock or small stump but it simply does not compare with a grapple for grabbing large amounts of any material. The problem is not the operator but rather the fact that the 4n1 secures the load with a vertically oriented pinch point so whenever a relatively large object (eg branch) gets pinned in at that pinch point, nothing else below that can be held securely. It is like trying to pick up objects with a pair of scissors. You cannot pick up multiple similar sized objects as the first one will prevent you from clamping on others beneath it and they will not be secured. Compare that to a grapple that functions more like the human hand where the load is in the palm which creates a pocket and all the closure system (thumb/fingers) does is keep the load from falling out.

By the way, I have also dreamed of a "backup camera" on my loader. Trouble is I keep knocking off my bucket level indicators on branches etc so I concluded that a camera system would be smashed within a week or so unless it sits in an armored housing. I do agree though that seeing exactly where the edge of your bucket or grapple or forks is rather than guessing is very useful. No amount of experience can help guide a grapple tine under exactly the right spot to snag a root if you cannot see where the root is. Same is true for moving buckets at close as possible to a structure without contact. Cameras are too vulnerable though. I need an M1A1 laser range finder and gyroscopic stabilized targeting scope on my FEL! And to properly monitor the data it will need to be projected on to my cab windshield or (for those of us without cabs), my helmet face shield. :thumbsup:

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Good point on the vulnerability of the camera. Probably best to mount it in an enclosure that could be affixed to either the FEL arms or ROPS in the back.

For the every-day user, experience may be enough to become proficient. But for old stiff-necked week-end warriors, a well placed camera would sure speed things up.

 

[sodawater]

Hi Tony,

I have a Kubota L5240 with a bucket impossible to see the front. So i have purchased a new camera with a 7" monitor off of Amazon for about $75.00 USD. I'm going attempt to install it this weekend...

sodawater

Gooday all

I'm located in South Australia and have a John Deere 3720 cab tractor. I've previously posted about my experiences with fitting skidsteer wheel spacers.

Up until now the tractor has mainly been a very expensive, but extremely comfortable, lawn mower.

I have had a few tentative attempts at doing some earth-moving with the 4 in 1 bucket I bought with it, but I seem to have a problem judging the location and attitude of the bucket and how far it is open and this severely limits the amount of use I get out of it. I seem to use the float setting a lot as I'm otherwise not sure how far off the ground the bucket is. I get very embarrassed fixing glitches with a shovel afterwards.

So I got to thinking a camera mounted somewhere above the bucket and a monitor in the cab might give me a good view of what's happening up front while it's happening - at least until I develop the necessary skills. Truck reversing camera kits seem to be cheap on ebay and should do the job?

However, before going down this path I thought I'd try to find if anyone else has tried this - but couldn't find anything relevant. So, I want to ask if this is because it's a bad idea or doesn't work or am I the only one who finds this so difficult?

Any hints or advice would be very welcome.

Cheers
Tony

 

[Xfaxman]

Hi Tony,

I have a Kubota L5240 with a bucket impossible to see the front. So i have purchased a new camera with a 7" monitor off of Amazon for about $75.00 USD. I'm going attempt to install it this weekend...

sodawater

Looking forward to seeing some pictures. :thumbsup:

For a front camera, a narrow field of view works the best.

On the Versahandler, I mounted mine in a piece of 2x4 tubing to protect it from brush.

The rear camera is in the taillight bracket.

 

[Henro]

G'day Tony put that money into fuel and go and find somewhere to practise:thumbsup:. You will be surprised at how quick you will pick it up if you are not too worried about digging a little deep or not getting it quite right. Do you have a bucket level indicator? If not the I would suggest getting/making one as you will find it really handy, oh and think of the fun you will have while learning


Jon

+++++ to Banjodunn's observation.

I doubt that any tractor set up allows one to see the cutting edge, and that is what needs to be seen, or felt, to control what is happening when using the loader.

I think felt is the operative word...

A simple level indicator like installed on my Kubota bucket helps. It simply is a piece of metal that is parallel with the bucket bottom, but visible from the operator's seat. Looking at the ground behind the loader bucket also helps one understand what is happening up front.

Do you have a tooth bar? If not get one! This is the biggest help when digging with the front end loader!

Maybe a camera might help...I don't know. But I do know that with hundreds of hours using my loader with dirt I never felt the need for one.

Bill

 

[Leejohn]

Good loader work is just seat time and feel.

 

[countrybumpkin]

A camera mounted in the correct location lets you see the cutting edge just fine. Not my pics , but mine looks about the same.

 

[MF283]

Good loader work is just seat time and feel.

Yes Sir!

Ronnie