Electronic bucket level Indicator, Now with Auto Level STOP Control

[Reg]

As I said in a related post, mercury switches would help get you to true horizontal - I can imagine a system that is switchable between "true horizontal level" and "tractor wheelbase horizontal".
Neither is difficult, BOTH would be a "nice to have".
Salvage some old circular room thermostats, probably need two of them, adjust their difference for how "precise" you want to feel the need.

 

[bitseeker]

WaxMan,

Yours is an elegant, beautiful, and practical design.

I'm an old, retired engineer with a love of welding and machining. Our snow has changed in the last few years so what had been dry and suitable for the snowblower now is wet and heavy and clogs both the auger and chute (have tried MANY non-stick solugions. None last). We live in the mountains and have a long and steep driveway with side drop offs that make snow clearing with loader and bucket slow and potentially dangerous. Therefore, I just got a Land Pride quick attach 96" blade for the L5240. I find that the blade is very sensitive to level and quite different from than the bucket or forks. I came here to see if there is anything available for level "automation."

The project itself is professional. Your presentation and explanation match the project. Thank you so much for sharing your project.

 

[Reg]

Y'know, often the SIMPLEST solutions work, they just plain WORK !

Here's one;
If you buy oil in quart bottles with the side window, keep one.
No precision required here, zip tie it to the back of your bucket or pallet fork frame with the window (usually on the thin face) facing your driving position.
Have it about 1/2 full of engine oil.
Level things out at ground level and note the oil level in the bottle, use that as your bubble - done and DONE !
OK, if you need to use it at night put a led in it, simple, simple,,, simple.
Engine oil is SLOW enough and the width of the quart bottle is "wide" enough.

 

[RoyKing]

So I did some searches for bucket or pallet level indicators and all I found was a mechanical pendulum style and a electronic level. I like LED light bar idea, does anybody sell one that could be used our FEL. Or do I have make a pendulum style for each one, ideas for that appreciated too

 

[npalen]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/374073-bucket-level-indicator-new-approach.html

This bucket level indicator works with bucket on the ground or in any raised position. In addition, the bucket can be "pre-leveled" while still in a raised position so that it will be level when bucket is back on the ground. This saves cycle time when removing material from a pile on the ground in a repetitious process as the bucket can be pre-leveled while returning to the pile each time.

 

[Reg]

So I did some searches for bucket or pallet level indicators and all I found was a mechanical pendulum style and a electronic level. I like LED light bar idea, does anybody sell one that could be used our FEL. Or do I have make a pendulum style for each one, ideas for that appreciated too

ONE of the advantages of the oil bottle is that I can "calibrate" it to the trailer's floor.
It is "eyeball" calibration, but it is plenty good enough to get the pallet forks to go straight into each pallet as I approach the trailer, similarly I put them down on the "real level" concrete floor and withdraw without dragging.
The tractor trailer drivers USUALLY like to park a little uphill to make dragging the loaded pallets a little easier with their hand pallet trucks, so the trailer floor is rarely level and is about 4 ft from the ground.

I suppose I could add a scale of some sort, but haven't found it necessary.
Daylight hours only so far... I might add a light, maybe.

 

[RoyKing]

I like the oil bottle, better than the pendulum as it is self damping, and I'll use some dirty oil from diesel crankcase good and black, now I'll wander isle at Wally looking for best bottle. I'll put where front camera can see it. Thank you Reg, KISS

 

[npalen]

I like the "oil bottle" idea! Can't get much simpler than that. Looks like about any clear plastic container would work with a magic marker line at "level". What type of container would be the easiest to mount?

 

[Reg]

I like the "oil bottle" idea! Can't get much simpler than that. Looks like about any clear plastic container would work with a magic marker line at "level". What type of container would be the easiest to mount?

Right now I am using a 1 qt generic Walmart one, it bungie cords very easily to my Bradco pallet forks.
Not looking at it right now, but there is a little reinforcement rib that runs down the back of the frame and that forms a convenient "corner" that I tucked it into.
SO much easier to show than to describe.

 

[Aquamoose]

Waxman, I’m intrigued! I know this is an old post and wasn’t able to be one of the lucky few who has seen your YouTube video. Would you bless me by reposting it or sharing it? It no longer exists.