L4310 Enhancements

[MChalkley]

Gordon - I thought about your fan idea just the other day when I plugged the cell phone charger into the accessory outlet in the console. I still need to go to a truck stop store and get one. Right now, it's a pretty low priority, though - at least until next summer.

As for the stereo, you still haven't convinced me that I need one of those yet. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

 

[JATO_RaT]

Gordon, although I find Bach most enjoyable, I find his music mathematical and less emotional, at least not when compared to Mozart, Beethoven or even Chopin, however, there are times when Bach is most appropriate, particularly in repetitive exercises like loading in tight spots where emotion is a less desireable state to be in. Rat...

"INTERNATIONAL BABY"

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You find the neatest stuff on this list... would you believe an analysis of classical composers by a Rat?

 

[paccorti]

Mark,

Your enhancements are an inspiration to us all /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I'm putting some lights on my machine and I feel like that's a big deal. So Mark how far will this go? I see that R&B has a remote level sensor. How about we wire that sensor into a computer and automatically level your 3 point (using your tilt cylinder). Then you could drive over any terrain and your blade (or whatever) would have a feedback loop keeping it level (or at a perscribed angle). That would be so cool. Hmmm, does anyone make a digitally controlled hydraulic valve....

Peter

 

[JATO_RaT]

Peter, there are times I have considered this, especially on my box scraper. It can be so hard to get an area level once its been wash boarded. I was watching the farmers level there rice fields with laser guided scrapers out here in California and find it amazing how level they get the fields. I want that, I'm just waiting for Mark to tell/show us how to do it, I think this would be another one for the L4310 Enhancements column. Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

 

[paccorti]

Rat,

What you are thinking is far more ambitious than what I was thinking. Here is one way it "might" work. I'm sure you've seen those rotating laser levels that contractors use. Set one of those up in the area where you want to level. Then add a pole with a bunch of laser sensors arranged vertically on the 3 pt. Each laser sensor would be wired individually to a computer (or in such a way that you can detact which sensor has the beam). Add two remote levels for left/right (roll) and front/back (pitch) on the 3 pt implement. Send all this sensor info to the computer. Then you need three hydraulically actuated valves: 3 pt up/down, tilt cylinder and top link cylinder. All three valves would be computer controlled. Using a laptop you could set the computer as follows: set 3 pt cutting edge 3.5 feet below laser beam, set roll to 3 degrees down on right (maybe for crowning a road), set implement cutting angle to 1 degree downward (for digging). Then you could drive along the road and the 3 point would maintain the proper attitude for the implement. Mind you, you might have to drive over areas multiple times, but you would be assured that you never "over dig" an area. Computers and tractors. Someday I will build this, not because I need it but because it would be so cool.

Peter

 

[JATO_RaT]

Peter, that sounds like a great start. As I was driving home I got to thinking about this a little. I kinda was thinking along these same lines as that is what the farmers out here use, a rotating laser on a tripod out in the field. They use what looks like aboout a 20' wide box scraper. The scraper is supported by four wheels that are about 10' to 15' in front and in back of the scraper box. Its also the method I see the major road builders around using on their graders. The blade actually has a pole and receiver while a simple tripod/laser sender is located out of the way. There must be a website with this info. I could see implememnting this to a simple box scraper and at least get an audio signal that lets you know where you are in relation to a predetermined elevation or slope. Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Guys,
Rick here. There is such a leveling device available. It
is designed for use on tile plows. (a machine that cuts a
trench in farm fields and lays a flexible pipe in ground
as it goes. The tile drains water from low spots in fields
for water run off. ) Tile plows cost from $5000.00 to
$20.000.00. Laser leveling control system consists of a
transit, laser, hydraucil valves for tractor, receiver
and all necessary hardware. Additional cost for leveling
system is $7000.00 to $9000.00. We have worked on our own
version of this at the request of several tile plow mfgs.
They could sell many more plows if a cheaper version was
available. A rotating laser sends beam to a receiver on
tractor.If beam is below pre-set point, on board computer
raises plow. If too high, it lowers it. Many farmers will
not pay Average of $7000.00 for plow and additional
$7000.00 to be able to use it. Our project is on hold due
to lack of R&D funds. Maybe someday.......... Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

 

[JATO_RaT]

Rick, I was telling Peter, the farmers out here in Northern California use laser assisted leveling, particularly those growing rice. They flood the fields with water and as the water is removed, its easy to see the high spots, but there are very few, even over hundreds of acres. I can certainly understand the situation farmers face as far as costs. Its an expensive operation with an uncertain value for their product. Still, it could be used by so many folks beyond farmers. Thanks for the added information, Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

 

[Thomas]

Rick,
I kinda seen a lazer device in which your talking about this summer,which was on a BIG /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Caterpillar grader in which there were leveling a road,maybe Caterpillar could help.

There another company call Ditchwitch.
I saw this unit dig also lay plastic piping at the sametime also had a lazer device,as they in stall a miles of water line on the campus golf coarse.
Maybe they can help also.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif