NEW DUAL AXIS SLOPE INDICATOR

[Anonymous Poster]

Rick,
Mercury switches are used in float switches used in water and waste water applications, but some companies are marketing a "green" float switch that uses no mercury. It is a ball switch and may(?) meet your spec (don't know for sure but may be something to chase down???).I don't have specific design information, but one of the companies is US Filter/ Consolidated Electric out of the twin cities area. If you are interested I have some contact with them and may (may??) be able to get some info (Idon't know if the mechanism is proprietary).
Get back to me if you are interested.
DaveL

 

[RBManufacturing]

DaveL,
Thanks Guy, Sure, if not to much trouble. I appreciate it.
Rick /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob999]

There is a very active movement to get mercury out of the environment. This link will take you to a source that discusses several alternative technologies to using mercury in a switch.

Interestingly, none of them discuss acid as an alternative.

Here is another link2 that discusses alternatives and suppliers.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rick........thanks for what you are doing......got mine today.....visually impressive on what it must have taken you to make just the dies to produce your total unit....When you test guys get yours, you will
probably think " wow, pretty simple and easy to do."....first impression out of the box.....totallllllly functional design......was impressed with just the tilt meter that I already have on all the ways one can mount it......and this goes right along with that........mine is just above the top of the steering wheel above the dash, almost on the hood......easy to see and use..........
What I see immediatelywhen mowing my 15-25 slope is, as I go up a hill I will be able to tell what angle I am at and as I make the turn KNOW.......and the important part is KNOW what I am going to be at as I am making my turn to go back down hill............I dont dare go across this 5 acre hill so this device totally allows me to be informed as I go up and down.......
One quick question that I need to figure.........is the inclination meter marked out in degree of angle and the tilt meter in degrees of slope?......perhaps a table here and an explanation could help.........its easy to figure out in ones head and so much better than the seat of your pants......THANKS TO YOU........Dennis

 

[Anonymous Poster]

oooooooops just played it with it some more as I sat here wondering if what I said makes sense........and it doesnt.......the scales and measuring systems are the same......would anyone really go up a 50 degree slope??????........and I get all puckered up on my little 20-25.......
as I sit here lookin at this I am just totally amazed at the functionality of the mounting system, the care taken in the selection of the fasteners, countersinking, etc.......gotta mount it tomorrow and go for an angled excursion......

 

[RBManufacturing]

Dennis,
Hey Dude, Thank You!!!!! A lot of tinkering and thought goes
into each design. Takes one mold for the mounting bracket.
One mold for back plate. One mold for meter. Now another
mold for dual axis add on. I designed the new dual axis part
so I could use it on all my other meters as well. Can't afford
mold for each style. I will not be color coding fore to aft
axis, due to numerous attachments that are used that can
drastically change center of gravity. (fel raised etc). As I have
always said, the meter is like a speedometer. It gives you a
good idea of parameters of operation. The final safe
operation is up to the operator using good common sense.
(I hope.) Glad your initial opinion is good. Thanks Guy. Rick

 

[markie61]

Got mine late yesterday. Looks like a real good quality piece. Are you sure it is only a prototype? Fit and finish are excellent.

In reading the installation instructions, it looks like the dual-axis will be easier to install than a single-axis tiltmeter. The single's instructions are VERY specific to make sure it is straight up-and-down on both axis. The dual should be easy because one axis checks the other.

I hope to get is on over the next couple of days. More info to follow.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Mark

 

[GregJ]

Rick,
I got my test unit today. Thank you. I am looking forward to using it. I can't believe I was one of the chosen 8. I think I'll go out and buy a lotto ticket this afternoon. I have attached a photo of a trail that goes down to our beach. It has to be maintained yearly, and until I got my tractor, we had always hired it done. I have been down it a few times with my B7500 and yes.... it does stimulate a significant pucker factor. When I go up the hill with the BH on, I am wondering if I shouldn't have a load in my bucket, etc. What I am looking forward to is some discussion from the group about safety observations with regard to specific equipment and loads at different grades. I have seen several posts where people talk about 20 degree slopes, etc., but I wonder how they arrive at those numbers without getting out a transit and surveying. With this new tool, it will make it easy to read the slope. Actually, I do have a transit and I have never shot this trail, so maybe I should shoot it and see how close the new meter comes to my specs. I'll give you feedback as soon as I get a chance to use it a bit. Anyway, I am looking forward to this and also looking forward to the discussions that will follow.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Greg,
Picture looks like you have a beautiful location.
I have one customer that says he has used the meter
mounted on a 2x4 to check his slopes before he mounted it
on his tractor. Should work, but this would only measure
small spots, not an overall slope. I agree, the fel on front
when using bh is probably a good idea. Been there. Done
that. Rick /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[dourobob]

Good Morning Rick
The unit arrived yesterday so the customs forms you filled out for shipping "all the way to Canada" must have been perfect. Thanks for sticking with it.

It is a slick unit - and I mean that in the most complimentary way.

I showed it to a friend of mine who is a consumate "gadget guy" and he was really impressed with the complexity of the design and the simplicity of the application. With any luck I shall have it installed this weekend and will be able to take some pictures. Two of my neighbours (full-time farmers) are also really interested in checking it out - they have more serious hills on their farms than I do. They are also curious about the cost. Have you finalized the price yet?

Full report to follow.

Thanks again.

BTW - my CFO, the one with the logical mind who doesn't drive the tractors, says this concept makes absolute sense and why wouldn't it just be standard equipment on all tractors?? Hmmmm.

Bob