Leveling a PHD

[square1]

The lube fill port on my Bush Hog 2102 PHD is 1/2" NPT. Thinking iabout replacing the plug with a 12" capped nipple then attaching a laser level to the nipple. That should give a good indication when it's set up to drill the hole straight and indicate when to make forward adjustments as the PHD lowers changing the angle. Might need some targets mounted a few inches away to see the lasers. What's the down side?

 

[aczlan]

The lube fill port on my Bush Hog 2102 PHD is 1/2" NPT. Thinking iabout replacing the plug with a 12" capped nipple then attaching a laser level to the nipple. That should give a good indication when it's set up to drill the hole straight and indicate when to make forward adjustments as the PHD lowers changing the angle. Might need some targets mounted a few inches away to see the lasers. What's the down side?

What is the risk of catching the nipple that you're looking at adding on something and tearing out of the gearbox? That would be my big fear.
Is there space where you could remove one or two of the bolts for the bracket that connects the gearbox to the frame and add a piece of angle iron under there?
You could then mount your laser level on the angle iron. There it would be more secure and less likely to break if the auger got dropped.

Aaron Z

 

[square1]

On the project I have in mind I'd place that risk at minimal. Valid point though for the future. The nipple would really only need to be tall enough to hold the laser level, so may 3~4". The sensitivity of the laser (does it have to be spot on level or are there levels that indicate graduations from level?) and endurance of the laser component (bouncing, vibration, etc...) are concerns. Rubber isolation mounts would be an option I suppose since perfectly level isn't the goal. I just want the hole size as close to the post size (i.e. 6" with 4x4 post) as possible without the posts being all whopper jawed because the hole isn't straight up & down / side to side / front to back.