Using loader????

JD3130 · Sep 11, 2004

Recently moved up from 8N(20HP) to a JD3130 (80HP) with FEL. Cat II. I guess I need some advice from you guys? Since I have a IH backhoe I figured I would have no trouble with this big a tractor. But I just can seem to get the hang of the loader. I can't see the darn thing. I has a 5' bucket, but the hood is so long I can't tell when I have the bucket level. When I try to dig with it I go to deep or to shallow. What am I doing wrong?
I guess BIGGER is better after all!!

rcmike · Sep 11, 2004

You might try to get a bucket level indicator. I made one for my loader and it helps a lot on my little 4010. Before I was always trying to dig too much or just sliding over the top of the ground.

Cliff_Johns · Sep 11, 2004

Well, I'm not sure about your loader, but most have a flat top that is parellel to the bottom. If the top is level, the bottom is level. Wouldn't matter which tractor you have, you probably wouldn't be able to see the bottom of the loader out over the front of your tractor. This is one of the reasons the top and bottom are parellel.

If the top surface isn't large enough to see clearly, clamp a long piece of wood to it fore and aft to exagerate the tilt (making sure not to hit anything with the piece of wood).

Soon you'll be used to it, and by the look of the loader you'll know how much you'll dig.

Cliff

Bob_Skurka · Sep 11, 2004

My New Holland loader has a moving bar that shows when the bucket is pointed down, up or level. I think it would be easy enough to make one and add it to any brand of loader. But even easier is the level indicator on my Kubota B2910 bucket, it is located on the upper right corner of the bucket and is a flat piece of steel that is welded parallel to the bottom of the bucket it comes back about 6" and then is bent down and welded to the back of the bucket. There is a simple decal on it saying it is a level indicator, but the decal is totally unnecessary, you simply look at the piece of steel and if it is level then the bucket is level. You could easily make one out of a piece of steel that is 1" wide and 8 to 10" long. Simply bend it into an "L" shape and weld it onto the top of the bucket so that it is parallel to the bottom of the bucket.

Cliff, for what it is worth, of the 3 buckets I have, none has a top edge that I would say is really parallel to the bottom edge (maybe the JD buckets are like you describe but not any of mine).

Cliff_Johns · Sep 11, 2004

( My New Holland loader has a moving bar that shows when the bucket is pointed down, up or level. I think it would be easy enough to make one and add it to any brand of loader. )

I have one of these one my loader, but don't use it.

( Cliff, for what it is worth, of the 3 buckets I have, none has a top edge that I would say is really parallel to the bottom edge (maybe the JD buckets are like you describe but not any of mine). )

Oh, well then . . . I wonder if it's a JD "feature" or just an accident. The recomendation to look at the top was in my user guide. Seems like I remember the other brands I looked at had this attrubute, but I admit, I never looked all that close. They just looked parellel.

Sorry if I've provided bogus advice.

Cliff

Bob_Skurka · Sep 11, 2004

They just looked parellel.

Sorry if I've provided bogus advice.


I doubt you gave bogus advice, I think it is just a bucket shape issue and all are slighty different. The NH & Kubota buckets have a top edge that is parallel (or close to it) but it is really just a fairly small area. The handy thing is the Kubota thingy that is nothing more than a piece of metal welded to the bucket, simple but works. The NH moving bar thing works once you know how to use it, I ended up painting the end of to more easily indicate when the bucket is level. The nice thing about the NH curved loader arms is that I can see much of the bucket, but the reality is it is impossible to see the cutting edge of most any bucket (I actually can see the cutting edge of the bucket on my Ventrac but that is such a strange tractor that I don't want to lump it into this discussion).

JD3130 · Sep 11, 2004

Thanks guys,
I knew you would have an answer. My loader manual talked about the level indicator rod, but it's gone and I didn't know what they where talking about. This is a 1980 and is missing a few of the little things. I hope I understand how this rod system works. guess I'll take a look a some new ones, before I start. Green beast is a big step up for me I've had 8N, Avery, IH for 45 years, all less than 30HP. But I have to say all that power is nice, had a flat on the 8N the other day, picked the 8N up like it was a hay bale, to take the tire off. Wow! thanks for the help!

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 13, 2004

"I hope I understand how this (level indicator) rod system works." 

It's actually pretty simple. Just attach a pipe to your loader arm and run a rod through it and attach the lower end on a part of the bucket in a manner that allows it to slide up and down through the pipe freely. Level your bucket and either paint the rod above the pipe or cut it level with the pipe. Then you know when your bucket is level by looking at the top of the pipe.

Good luck setting your bucket level indicator. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rcmike · Sep 13, 2004

Yeah, I made one in no time. I can take some pictures of mine if you want. I didn't think it would be as useful as it is until I made it. The top of my bucket is level with the bottom but I never could tell exactly if it was level from the seat.

rockinmywaypa · Sep 13, 2004

I have the exact same tractor/loader and I just lean out enough to look under the front axle inside the tire to see what is happening. I know what you're saying, spearing round bales is strictly a memory/ lucky guess type manoever which gets easier with practise. I made my own quick hitch for it and use a 5ft bucket for dirt, a 6ftr for silage wood etc, bale prong made with an axle from a pickup, forklift type forks, manure prongs[homemade out of a row of axles,5ft] and stone fork on it. I'd like to make a single arm backhoe for it to dig a few holes and foundations next. It's a decent enough tractor but I hate the six gear trans. and the handbrake.