What to use for a level indicator for forks?

   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #1  

sixdogs

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I have a fork attachment for my tractors but need a better way to pick up pallets so I'm level when I slide the forks in. I have a bucket level indicator but don't want to disturb it since I also use for the bucket. I'm tired of damaging pallets and materials. Any ideas that will work?
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #2  
Yeah, you and me both (-:

a) ONE thing I have thought about, given tech trends and price drops, has been a video camera, or several with split screen display.
Back up cameras are CHEAP these days, fairly rugged and adaptable - depends how much Inventioneering Ya wanna do.

b) Another is (again "technology") is an inclinometer on the pallet fork frame. This wouldn't have to be TOO fancy, a mercury switch maybe two.
c) A "side view" of where I'm poking the forks - the problem with that is getting a decent viewing angle, i.e. where a helper would stand if they were giving me hand signals.
For this a wifi camera on a tripod would work IF unloading from some fixed position e.g. loading dock or (semi fixed) the back of a truck.
On second thoughts this wouldn't have to be a "wifi" camera.
I have a cordless video set up that I bought as a back up camera in my horse trailer.
Of course that is all run on 12 volts, so maybe a small 12 volt battery for the camera, the screen runs from the truck's lighter socket.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #3  
If the rod on your bucket level indicator is long enough, you could add a paint marker colored line on it to show level forks a few inches off the ground.

Only other easy thing I could think of would be a fairly large spirit level on top or side of fork frame. That would show level at various heights, but would need to be large enough to see the bubble from the seat.

It is difficult using pallet forks at times. Hard to see #1 issue. But for mine, you're curling an awful lot just to get level low to ground - so real easy to dump/tilt too far forward since it "feels" like you're curled an awful lot. Would be with standard bucket on.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #4  
If you're on level ground, a 'level/inclinometer' based gadget would work. But if the ground is sloped in the direction you're loading, you need the forks parallel with the ground, not level.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #5  
If the rod on your bucket level indicator is long enough, you could add a paint marker colored line on it to show level forks a few inches off the ground.

Only other easy thing I could think of would be a fairly large spirit level on top or side of fork frame. That would show level at various heights, but would need to be large enough to see the bubble from the seat.

It is difficult using pallet forks at times. Hard to see #1 issue. But for mine, you're curling an awful lot just to get level low to ground - so real easy to dump/tilt too far forward since it "feels" like you're curled an awful lot. Would be with standard bucket on.

"Spirit" level - - could be equated to a mercury switch such as found in old style thermostats ?
Two of them with a tiny bit of offset would give you two lights - too much curl and too much dump.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #6  
Spirit level = typical bubble level
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #7  
Spirit level = typical bubble level

Right, but as you said earlier SEEING it would likely be a problem, so a mercury switch can indicate level remotely - via wires and lights.

The more I think about this the worse the problem(s) appear (-:

There could be as many as three planes to consider;
Horizontal - i.e. what a spirit level would indicate.
Tractor's wheelbase plane,
ground plane that the pallet rests on.

and from my (admitted very limited) experience of this I would choose a good side view of the pallet and forks.
Traditionally this has been a helper, or I pull on the steering wheel and climb forward off the seat to try and SEE where the forks are.

If I did a LOT of this I would set up a wireless back-up camera on a tripod.
For unloading trucks or trailers it would be quick and simple to set up and aim at the rear of the vehicle, for pallets that are scattered around - tough, but I would either have to climb down and position it to see the pallet, or find a way to mount it to the fork frame.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #8  
Think camera mounted on FEL arm would be the best because you could "see" what is going on (forks) no matter location or position.... Like some one mentioned "back up cameras" are cheap, only question is will backup camera work looking forward....

Don't want to mount it permanently, use magnet mount...

Dale
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #9  
Right now I'm thinking a good/fair compromise might be a cheap wireless back-up camera magnetically mounted maybe 6 inches higher than the top of the pallet forks e.g. under the backstop frame of the pallet forks and aimed to where the forks are going to go.
The amount of metal "shielding" the screen's receiver from the camera could be a problem, so a wired one may be needed.

I still have a desire for a GENERAL level indicator, i.e. for the bucket, the grapple and whatever else I may put on the front.
 
   / What to use for a level indicator for forks? #10  
I’ve never had a problem with my eyes. The fork tips are easily visible on both of my tractors.
 

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