Forks Fork level Indicator

[59ApacheDriver]

New forum member here, I have a JD2520, and just bought a Frontier Pallet fork attachment & would like to find a way to read/see the level of the forks from the seat, have done many searches, but only seem to come up with a fork level indicator for a stand alone forklift, nothing for a loader/fork lift attachment. Any and all ideas welcome, I am mostly a DIY person (Retired 30+ years as an Auto Tech), but I am not above buying the latest high tech toy also.:laughing:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Welcome to TBN, didn't know there was a greensboro MD until now.

I also can't tell when the forks are level, especially when low.

 

[59ApacheDriver]

Yeah, I get that a lot about Greensboro "Maryland", it is on Md's Eastern Shore, a little tiny town surrounded by Ag farms & lots of large & small (like my 5 acre) horse farms.

I can't believe nobody had addressed this issue about a fork level indicator with all the danger/damage that could happen if your load slid off the end of the forks, I am big into safety as I was the safety officer at my last job before I retired in 2004.

I guess I will have to "engineer" one if i don't find one ready made.

 

[alchemysa]

This is my simple bucket level indicator. Its just piece of rod welded to the bucket bracket, plus another small piece welded to the loader arm. When the two pieces line up the bucket is level when its on the ground. (The pic is a bit misleading. The pieces line up perfectly with only about a 1" space between them when the bucket is level.)

Fortunately I don't actually need it when I have forks fitted as my forks, more by accident than design, are long enough to see from the seat. It must be a real pain not being able to see the fork ends.

 

[alchemysa]

Another thing you might consider is to weld a square piece of tube to the side of the forks at the tip. Then you can slip another piece of tube into that piece to extend the length. That might make it easier for you to actually see the end when you are trying to get under a pallet.

(In the pic you can see I've actually got a lightweight frame attached to the end of the forks. This was so I could carry 4 metre flooring sheets 'longways')

 

[Zebrafive]

Bucket level indicator, may need some adjusting for forks.

 

[dusty3030]

http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMW51850_19/OUO6077_00019A8_19_05MAY05_1.htm

Just set the forks level flat and adjust your indicator.
Or you could paint marks on it, whatever works for you.

 

[59ApacheDriver]

Yes, I have the Factory JD bucket indicator, & yes I could re-adjust it for the forks on the ground, but as soon as you raise the FEL the angle changes on the forks and the level indicator no longer applies, I want to be able to keep the forks level anywhere from the ground to any height it is raised.

The main reason I bought the pallet forks is to unload large truck & tractor trailer deliveries. ie. fire wood, feed pallets, new air compressor, & large truck deliveries for the large pallet mounted (sheet metal, new 5-speed trans, engine block, etc.) restoration parts for my 59 Chevy Pickup. etc. if not it is a $125.00 fee every time a truck company has to come to my farm with a power tailgate truck instead of the normal tractor trailer setup.

I will probably have to make something up, maybe modify a tilt meter like they use on off road vehicles that has front & rear + side to side angle readings, just large enough to see from the seat to the back plane of the pallet lift, unles they make a remote unit with the sensor on the lift & the head unit near the tractor dash, I will let you know what i find.

Thanks to all that have answered.

 

[dusty3030]

Yes, I have the Factory JD bucket indicator, & yes I could re-adjust it for the forks on the ground, but as soon as you raise the FEL the angle changes on the forks and the level indicator no longer applies, I want to be able to keep the forks level anywhere from the ground to any height it is raised.

The main reason I bought the pallet forks is to unload large truck & tractor trailer deliveries. ie. fire wood, feed pallets, new air compressor, & large truck deliveries for the large pallet mounted (sheet metal, new 5-speed trans, engine block, etc.) restoration parts for my 59 Chevy Pickup. etc. if not it is a $125.00 fee every time a truck company has to come to my farm with a power tailgate truck instead of the normal tractor trailer setup.

I will probably have to make something up, maybe modify a tilt meter like they use on off road vehicles that has front & rear + side to side angle readings, just large enough to see from the seat to the back plane of the pallet lift, unles they make a remote unit with the sensor on the lift & the head unit near the tractor dash, I will let you know what i find.

Thanks to all that have answered.

Once you get it off the ground you can't see the forks or the back of the carrier or the load itself? If you still need something might look at the various RV levels available. The make a large variety in different sizes and many are stick on.

 

[raptor749]

59ApacheDriver, I have seen bucket level rods on Kubota's L3830's , It was attached to the top bucket pin , something like 1/4 '' round rod running up right side of loader arm , with a peice of flat bar 1/4 x 3 x 3 I think , with round hole for rod to run threw , with a slight curve or upside down V that stop in the flat bar hole " this is your level point " . Just remember the rod has to extend far enough out the top of the flat hole so when the bucket or forks are at full dump position the rod doesn't fall out of the hole , plus an extra 4'' , and you can paint the up side down V a different color to help see it better. Good luck.:thumbsup: