LEVEL INDICATOR FOR TILT CYLINDER ON TNT

npalen · Jan 28, 2014

I used a throttle/choke control cable to come up with this level indicator which is mounted at eye level on the ROPS. The indicator housing was drilled and milled out of a 3/4" square 6061 aluminum and has a 1/2" OD plastic hose inside to house the slider. A long piece of 1/4" ID clear plastic hose is slid over the cable to keep moisture out with the end extending up into the indicator housing. Probably should make a scale to attach next to the indicator window with an adjustable "level" indicator. The leveling cylinder is smaller than most at 1 1/2" bore x 4" stroke but seems plenty adequate given the 3PT lift capacity.

ovrszd · Jan 28, 2014

Very cool.

I worked on something like this for mine last Winter but gave up. I used an indicator rod, like a level bucket indicator, mounted on the cylinder. Then I realized it only knows level in regards to the tractor. So kinda let it go. It's still on the cylinder but I never look at it.

I still see a great need for something like this if you are wanting to change the pitch of a grade or driveway. For example if your driveway is too flat, you can add a few degrees of tilt to your blade or box blade or grader by watching the indicator and repeat passes until the desired result is reached.

beemerphile · Jan 28, 2014

ovrszd said:
...hen I realized it only knows level in regards to the tractor. So kinda let it go. It's still on the cylinder but I never look at it.

I still see a great need for something like this if you are wanting to change the pitch of a grade or driveway. For example if your driveway is too flat, you can add a few degrees of tilt to your blade or box blade or grader by watching the indicator and repeat passes until the desired result is reached.

An electronic remote reading inclinometer should do it. They are getting fairly cheap these days. I had considered installing a dual axis one to display both top and tilt angles relative to earth. Not necessarily this particular item, but one with similar functionality...

RAS-2-10 - Dual axis inclinometer with remote display, ±10°

another...

http://www.kar-tech.com/inclinometer.html

(An inclinometer would make a great bucket level indicator as well. If you had a transducer on the tractor frame as well you could calculate relative angle by subtraction in addition to absolute measure.)

npalen · Jan 28, 2014

I should mention that the main reason for adding this indicator is that I can't see the leveling cylinder from the tractor seat.

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2014

Wish I could think of the TBN Member's name. But there's this guy that is a whiz at stuff like this. Built an electric bucket level indicator with flashing lights. Has a camera mounted on his FEL as well to see the cutting edge of the bucket. He talked some about the inclinometer philosophy too.

I think if a person was doing a LOT of landscape grading or road building it would a valued addition!!! For my uses, it was more of a gimmick that I thought would be cool.

npalen · Jan 29, 2014

My main reason for building this was to enable quick re-leveling after running the blade tilted. Would normally re-level by bringing the blade or other attachment down near a flat surface then leveling with the tilt cylinder. The level indicator allows this to be done on the go which is much faster. The indicator levels to the tractor which I prefer over leveling to gravity. Incidentally, the last picture above appears to show interference between the cylinder shaft and the ROPS. That is an optical illusion.

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2014

Yep, that was my original goal as well. I think you can also use yours to determine amount of cut if trying to change the grade of a roadbed or whatever.

murphy1244 · Jan 29, 2014

ovrszd said:
Wish I could think of the TBN Member's name. But there's this guy that is a whiz at stuff like this. Built an electric bucket level indicator with flashing lights. Has a camera mounted on his FEL as well to see the cutting edge of the bucket. He talked some about the inclinometer philosophy too.

I think if a person was doing a LOT of landscape grading or road building it would a valued addition!!! For my uses, it was more of a gimmick that I thought would be cool.

Your thinking of Waxman.

npalen · Jan 29, 2014

I'm surprised that no one asked how the indicator is attached to the ROPS.

kennyd · Jan 29, 2014

Very clever :thumbsup:

npalen · Jan 29, 2014

Thanks for the compliments, guys. The idea for the indicator came from sight gauges mounted to the side of a fluid reservoir such as hydraulic. Saying that makes we wonder if there would be another way of doing this by replacing the cable with a fluid filled tube. A little piston fitting closely inside the tube and pushed by the cylinder rod would raise and lower the fluid level in the sight gauge. There's probably a dozen reasons why that wouldn't work, but I enjoy thinking outside the box a little now and then.

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2014

murphy1244 said:
Your thinking of Waxman.

Thanks Murph. That's right!!!!

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2014

npalen said:
I'm surprised that no one asked how the indicator is attached to the ROPS.

You are equipped so far above most of use that we didn't bother to notice. I.e., the ability to make the indicator holder in the first place.

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2014

npalen said:
Thanks for the compliments, guys. The idea for the indicator came from sight gauges mounted to the side of a fluid reservoir such as hydraulic. Saying that makes we wonder if there would be another way of doing this by replacing the cable with a fluid filled tube. A little piston fitting closely inside the tube and pushed by the cylinder rod would raise and lower the fluid level in the sight gauge. There's probably a dozen reasons why that wouldn't work, but I enjoy thinking outside the box a little now and then.

Do a member search for "Waxman". He's got a thread on the electronic level indicator he created for his FEL. You might pick up some ideas there. I'm sure it could be made to work on your TnT.

npalen · Jan 29, 2014

Richard, yes I read with great interest the Waxman's thread on his electronic level indicator as well as the cool custom gauges etc. He is a true craftsman!
Thanks for appreciating the machine work on the indicator holder. I had fun with that.

WaxMan · Feb 2, 2014

I think you did a great job machining that indicator, looks like a scientific instrument. Fine quality.
It saves you from turning around and arching in your seat and it's accurate.
What kind of mill do you have?

npalen · Feb 21, 2014

I found that the inside wire of the cable was buckling due to the 4" plus unsupported length. So I added the UHMW (plastic) tube and a 3/16" diameter stainless rod to travel inside the tube. That seems to eliminate the buckling problem without creating any new problems. The UHMW tube was made by drilling out 1/2" round solid round to accept the 3/16" stainless plunger.
Looks like I need to clean the oil off of the PTO shaft cover from an earlier hydraulics mod.

Bob from Maine · Nov 24, 2022

Your mod looks great
Would something like this mounted to the implement help you level it?

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