Home Brew Bucket Level?

[Diggin It]

Probably lots of previous threads if I knew what to search for. Most likely have all or most of the parts and pieces, but I'm not sure how to set one up.

Tips?

 

[dieselcrawler]

Simple enough, a rod that is attached to the curl cylinder rin at the bucket, that goes thru a tube or bracket that is attached to the loader frame end pin of the curl cylinder.

I'll try to get pictures of mine when I'm outside later.

 

[ovrszd]

Had a big long response pecked out and then lost it on my phone. Grrrrr.... will try again.

My Kubota uses a notched rod with an upside down V. The rod slides thru a slotted tab. Notch in tab equals level bucket.

My Ford uses a rod sliding thru a tube. End of rod at tube end equals level.

With rod inside tube you sometimes lose track when bucket tipped forward. Rod disappears. I cut off the top half of my tube 3-4" down so I can see the rod coming and know how much forward tip I have.

I prefer the notched rod sliding thru the tab style.

 

[WranglerX]

This is want I did...

Saw another post where person replaced short bolts to hold pin end cap with long bolts and used lock nut too hold retainer/cover in place and remainder of bolt sticking out to put sleeves on for pivot points instead of doing the large hole thing that goes on pin... Its may or may not be valid depending on how loader pins are retained...

On mine when rod is even with end of tube, bucket is "level" also be sure rod sleeve combination is long enough so rod does not pull out of sleeve in "full dump"

Also might try search string "Loader Level Indicator" seems to have several good responses...

Dale

 

[Diggin It]

I don't know, I guess I'm one of those where every picture doesn't tell a story. I've looked at all of them and I still don't get how it works. I'll have to try a couple of things in practice and see which works best. Never did well in school because words and pictures never told me as much as doing and figuring it out.

I know I don't want a closed tube. Too many bugs love to nest in those. I'm thinking of a rod through a couple of eye bolts with a marker at level. Full visibility that way. I might even be able to mark additional points of curl too.

 

[ovrszd]

If bugs are nesting in your level tube you need to use your tractor more.

I prefer the open style. Create a "notch" of some kind in the rod. Don't depend on a painted mark for level, it disappears to quickly.

So...…

At the lower end the rod is usually attached to the curl cylinder pin. That could be substituted by fastening it to the FEL frame as near as possible to said pin. Remember it has to swivel to allow for bucket curl.

At the upper end you can build whatever style of indicator you choose. It can also be fastened to the FEL frame as close to the curl cylinder barrel pin as possible. On my Ford the upper end is clamped to the cylinder barrel using a large hose clamp.

Don't forget Dale's comment about making the rod long enough that it can't escape the indicator you choose.

Also, whatever you design, it has to be adjustable. On my Kubota that's done by lengthening/shortening the rod with a set bolt. On my Ford that's done by sliding the tube up/down the cylinder barrel.

With the comments already offered, and studying the pics, it'll come to you. Don't overthink this. It's very, very simple.

 

[WranglerX]

I don't know, I guess I'm one of those where every picture doesn't tell a story. I've looked at all of them and I still don't get how it works. I'll have to try a couple of things in practice and see which works best. Never did well in school because words and pictures never told me as much as doing and figuring it out.

I know I don't want a closed tube. Too many bugs love to nest in those. I'm thinking of a rod through a couple of eye bolts with a marker at level. Full visibility that way. I might even be able to mark additional points of curl too.

Take a piece of PVC tubing... Slide a broom handle into it..... Move end of broom handle in/out as if it were connected to a rotating journal of a crank..... Sort of like piston + connecting rod / cylinder / crankshaft... The curl/dump hydraulic ram pin (at bucket) is the "crank journal"

On mine after initial assembly, I put bucket flat on concrete apron so on same plane as tractor (level) and cut rod at end of tube when rod is even with end of tube bucket is level no matter what angle tractor is at (second pic)....

Last and most critical, make it so it can be easily seen (at a glance) above FEL frame or tractor hood....If you can't see it, its worthless....

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Quick and dirty video on concept....

Making a John Deere Bucket Level Indicator - YouTube

Not mine, but shows concept no matter how you do mechanical adaptation...

Personally if I did it this way I would not use turnbucle or beam clamp, a single heim joint bolted through web of bucket would be sufficient...

Dale

 

[mcfarmall]

I saw a device either on here or youtube...can't remember where but it was electronic and would indicate a level bucket condition at any boom position and was really slick. Had LED arrows to point up and down then a line of LEDs that would glow when the bucket was level.

 

[WranglerX]

I saw a device either on here or youtube...can't remember where but it was electronic and would indicate a level bucket condition at any boom position and was really slick. Had LED arrows to point up and down then a line of LEDs that would glow when the bucket was level.

Electronic...
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/316667-level-bucket-indicator.html#post3827099

Absolute simplicity..
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...1-bucket-level-indicator-rod.html#post4265138

Dale

 

[Diggin It]

Went out and stared at it for a few minutes yesterday. That's about all I've been in the mood to do lately. Got no drive to DO stuff right now for some reason.

Kind of coming together in my pea brain if I can figure out what bits and pieces to use. I can see using a Beam Clam on the curl cylinder bracket that would give me a 1/4-20 mounting hole. Maybe hose clamps along the cylinder itself to hold standoffs for the rod.


Intrigued by an electronic version with a remote indicator too.

 

[dougtrr2]

Without seeing the bucket it is hard to judge. But it is a fine line between putting enough home brew in a bucket to maximize thirst quenching and too full which would cause spillage and waste of perfectly good beer. I would practice with water until you find that level. :drink:

Doug in SW IA

 

[WranglerX]

Went out and stared at it for a few minutes yesterday. That's about all I've been in the mood to do lately. Got no drive to DO stuff right now for some reason.

Kind of coming together in my pea brain if I can figure out what bits and pieces to use. I can see using a Beam Clam on the curl cylinder bracket that would give me a 1/4-20 mounting hole. Maybe hose clamps along the cylinder itself to hold standoffs for the rod.


Intrigued by an electronic version with a remote indicator too.

Yes the electronic version has a "cool" factor, but when it gets to complex it has so many failure points..... Was contemplating a DRO (Digital Read Out) of sorts for 3PH on rear of my tractor, and a lot of back and forth on forums looking at many options, fall back was simple "check chains"... Concept has been around for years and still function and the simplicity is awesome...

If you are having a problem grasping simple mechanical indicator, the electronic one may not be for you if you are planning on making one...

Sometimes "just because we can" does not mean we should...

Dale

 

[Diggin It]

Cobbled something together this morning with spare bits of whatever I could find. Mostly just temporary for now to get a feeling of how it works.

 

[4570Man]

I took mine off and threw it in the scrap pile. If you can’t level the bucket without one of these than you probably can’t level the bucket with one. Just get more practice.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I took mine off and threw it in the scrap pile. If you can’t level the bucket without one of these than you probably can’t level the bucket with one. Just get more practice.

All due respect, but even an experienced operator can make use of a level gauge. Ive been on tractors with loaders for 30+ years, concider myself a decent operator, and still find it handy to have the indicator avalible.

 

[4570Man]

All due respect, but even an experienced operator can make use of a level gauge. Ive been on tractors with loaders for 30+ years, concider myself a decent operator, and still find it handy to have the indicator avalible.

I haven’t found it yet. They’re only even accurate on level ground with the loader at a set height.

 

[Diggin It]

They’re only even accurate on level ground with the loader at a set height.

That's why I might want an electronic one. I never need to be exactly level, but I'd like to know when stuff might sluff into or out of the bucket.

 

[ovrszd]

I haven’t found it yet. They’re only even accurate on level ground with the loader at a set height.

I use it to set the bucket on a level plane with the tractor. Then minor adjust from there.

If loading the bucket on level ground it speeds up the process dramatically. Bucket is ready to fill when I reach the pile.

I've bent mine a couple times in brush. Always repair it. Valuable tool.

 

[WranglerX]

I haven’t found it yet. They’re only even accurate on level ground with the loader at a set height.

That is what its all about.... But even level can be a incline.... All it indicates is bucket bottom is in parallel alignment with ground when on the ground and on same plane as tractor wheels....

Study picture, this IS what it is all about....And nothing more....

Dale