Harbor Freight tilt meter (cheap)

mclaire · May 14, 2006

I've seen the ads for tilt meters here and elsewhere but $35 seems a little steep for what it is. Any reason this won't do the same job for $4?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34214

ccsial · May 14, 2006

I have never used one but I wonder how you calibrate it to your tractor since each tractor may tip at a different angle depending on a number of variables.

I'd like one for my 355D. I have been using the pucker factor. That is my only tractor that works a slope.

texasjohn · May 14, 2006

I have a tilt meter... it measures tilt in both directions... side to side and front to back. I find that the ball rolling in a viscous fluid is good, else it would be sliding all around as the tractor jounces around. Go ahead and get the item from HF... see if it works for you. Be well aware that there is no single angle, even for the same tractor, that is safe... all depends on load, where it is carried..front, back, high, low... and ballast the tractor has. I've had a wheel off the ground numerous times... and the angle was low.

Net... try it... you'll learn a lot and not spend much money... and, go slow anyway and be ready to drop your FEL or 3PH load when a wheel comes off the ground.

texasjohn · May 14, 2006

I have a tilt meter... it measures tilt in both directions... side to side and front to back. I find that the ball rolling in a viscous fluid is good, else it would be sliding all around as the tractor jounces around. Go ahead and get the item from HF... see if it works for you. Be well aware that there is no single angle, even for the same tractor, that is safe... all depends on load, where it is carried..front, back, high, low... and ballast the tractor has. I've had a wheel off the ground numerous times... and the angle was low.

Net... try it... you'll learn a lot and not spend much money... and, go slow anyway and be ready to drop your FEL or 3PH load when a wheel comes off the ground.

ccsial · May 15, 2006

( Be well aware that there is no single angle, even for the same tractor, that is safe ) 

I guess I'm a bit dumb but I don't see what good a meter is if you don't know what is safe. I suppose for someone who can't read the slope they are working on it would be OK. But then, where to stop? Still sounds like gut feel.

I would only want one if it was set for my tractor and had a "red line" like my airplane. Even then you have to be careful of holes just like turbulance.

ccsial · May 15, 2006

( Be well aware that there is no single angle, even for the same tractor, that is safe ) 

I guess I'm a bit dumb but I don't see what good a meter is if you don't know what is safe. I suppose for someone who can't read the slope they are working on it would be OK. But then, where to stop? Still sounds like gut feel.

I would only want one if it was set for my tractor and had a "red line" like my airplane. Even then you have to be careful of holes just like turbulance.

midlf · May 21, 2006

I doubt it will work but for $10 give it a try (note I have guesstimated true cost after S&H). This is an undamped device and the needle will be swinging all over the map and will not provide any useful information.

I got one from R&B (www.tiltmeter.com) who is well known here at TBN. It is marked with the "usual recommended" ranges in color, white to 15, then yellow then red at 20 if I recollect correctly. Works well and I highly recommend it. It helps to calibrate my PPP (personal pucker phactor).

midlf · May 21, 2006

I doubt it will work but for $10 give it a try (note I have guesstimated true cost after S&H). This is an undamped device and the needle will be swinging all over the map and will not provide any useful information.

I got one from R&B (www.tiltmeter.com) who is well known here at TBN. It is marked with the "usual recommended" ranges in color, white to 15, then yellow then red at 20 if I recollect correctly. Works well and I highly recommend it. It helps to calibrate my PPP (personal pucker phactor).