R&B tiltmeter malfunction?

[Jeff396]

I purchased an R&B tiltmeter for my tractor back in the fall. I mounted it on the dash using the L shaped brackets provided. It has worked flawlessly until last month. Suddenly, the ball will decide where it wants to be rather than the tilt of the tractor dictating its position. When I take it off everything seems to work fine but when on the tractor it will intermittantly stop working. It's bad like when I'm tilted to the left 15 degrees it may still show that I'm tilted to the right. Tapping on it seems to have no affect what so ever. Has anyone else had any problems with theirs. It's not like there's any moving parts on this thing except the ball so I'm befuddled!/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Jeff

 

[HalseyGreen]

Question - I noticed that you also have a thread about your hood alignment - have you twisted your tractor or its sheet metal so that stress is being placed on your tiltmeter tube causing the ball to bind? I may be a good idea to look her over to see if some bolts have loosen or some part of the frame is bent or misaligned.

 

[Jeff396]

I mentioned the hood alignment only because that was the only other thing that could possibly change the clearance of the fuel cap to the hood. I doubt that is the problem as it still shuts fine and the gap at the rear of the hood does not appear to have changed. Heck, all I've used the tractor for in the last few months is lawn mowing. I was able to push on the fuel cap to get it out of the way of the hood. Not sure if I moved the tank or just bent the filler a bit though. I just wonder if the fuel tank could possibly shift or if the plastic fuel tank could be warping due to heat. I also couldn't see where the hinges attach to the tractor. One seemed a bit loose so it looks like some disassembly is on order.....exploratory surgery on my baby./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The tiltmeter mounts on the dash behind the hood and is a metal ball rolling around in a liquid filled glass tube much like a carpenters level. Short of cracking the tube I can't imagine why it isn't working. I have considered possibly some magnatism from under the dash but I don't understand why it would take this long to rear its head.

Jeff

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Jeff,
Sounds like a static problem. First, does the indicator have a black ball, or silver. On very rare occasions, we had a few
that stuck due to static, where a certain frequency of vibration
existed. different r.p.ms. caused different vibration frequencies. I have a new style mounting bracket that is very easy to mount and adjust. It changes the vibration frequency because it is single bracket instead of 2 legs. Also, it is nylon
and fiberglass. The silver ball is stainless steel and resists
static also. Please e-mail your address, and I'll send you a new indicator and bracket for no charge. We had a similar problem with one tiltmeter last year on a highway dept. tractor. They had 5 identical tractors. One tiltmeter sticking.
Took it off and switched it with one from another tractor.
One that stuck worked perfect on different tractor. One that worked on other tractor now stuck on first tractor. Took alot of checking, but finally found out the static problem on this one tractor. Tried all 5 tractors, and all five stuck on the first tractor. None stuck on the other tractors. Static became worse later in day as humidity got lower. We moved the tiltmeter to a different location, on the tractor and it worked great. We now use only stainless steel balls, and the new mounting bracket because it is easier to mount and level, and
requires no drilling holes to mount. But this also works to help eliminate any rare static problems. Please send your address,
and I'll personally send you a free replacement. Also, which model you have. Anyone else out there ever has a problem, just let me know. Even out of 1 yr. warranty, I'll stand behind it. NO problem. No questions. Thanks, Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Jeff,
Just read the post about the hood. This is most likely your problem. ANY loose parts, hood, etc. can cause enough vibrartion to cause static. Does not always cause it, but it can.
Still, send your address and I'll replace it. Rick

 

[bmac]

Folks, this is what I call customer service. Heck, I don't even own a tractor yet and I'm tempted to buy one of these tiltmeters just because of this reply.

 

[Bird]

bmac, those of us who've known Rick awhile knew what his response would be. I had two tiltmeters on my B2710; one for side to side and one for front to rear. But of course neither of mine ever malfunctioned. Pretty handy instruments.

 

[gordon]

Customer service at it's best, as usual that is what makes R&B the top notch company that it is.

Keep up the good work Rick
Gordon

 

[hayden]

I fianally mount mine up last weekend and noticed exactly the same thing. With the tractor off, I can tip in manually and the bal settles in right where it should, but after some amount of operating the ball will appear to stick. If I manually titl the guage the ball still sticks. It's a black ball.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Hayden,
Please e-mail your address for your replacement. It will
include a new style bracket also. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Rick