Bucket Level Rod

[Klittle2616]

That sounds like a good outcome to me. My rod is long, which I like because I can see where the bucket is in both directions from level. I had paint for a while but it would wear where the back of the rod dragged on the tube then a little rust would get smeared in and it was hard to read. I tried spiral wrapping some aluminum tape and then covered the lower part with tuff heat shrink. Makes an easy to see marker and the heat shrink holds the tape away from the tube so it doesn't wear. I have had this on for two years now and it still looks new - lots of loader work too.

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gg

I like that idea

 

[iptman]

That sounds like a good outcome to me. My rod is long, which I like because I can see where the bucket is in both directions from level. I had paint for a while but it would wear where the back of the rod dragged on the tube then a little rust would get smeared in and it was hard to read. I tried spiral wrapping some aluminum tape and then covered the lower part with tuff heat shrink. Makes an easy to see marker and the heat shrink holds the tape away from the tube so it doesn't wear. I have had this on for two years now and it still looks new - lots of loader work too.

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gg

Totally doing this on my CX2510. I couldn't bring myself to cut the rod down and my ring of electrical tape is already wearing off. I might actually mark bucket level along with 2 and 4 inches down so when I dig I can have consistent runs into the ground.

 

[tman1020]

That sounds like a good outcome to me. My rod is long, which I like

Yep. Having a long rod does have it’s benefits.

gg

 

[ovrszd]

The service dept said it was in fact upside down. He said it will probably stick out now when the bucket is level. So I will likely paint or tape a mark at level.

Yep, it's obvious in the first pic that there's more rod above the mount point than below. So now you will have rod exposed when level as Gordon does.

Here's an idea taken from my old Ford TLB. Poor pic but if you study it closely you can see the top end of the leveler tube is cutaway. When rolling the bucket back you can see the end of the rod coming and are able to stop in the right spot with rod end flush with tube end. Also if wanting to roll bucket forward a little you can still see the rod and judge how far you've moved it.

Let us know how it works for you after flipping the tube. Thanks for the follow up.

 

[WranglerX]

I guess with the stated objection to rod and tube method, one could easily adapt a DRO to show specifically at what angle bucket is at... Though some how it would seem to violate the KISS principle....

Dale

 

[ovrszd]

In the OP's situation, where I had to change things anyway, I'd build a notched rod system where the rod simply slides thru a slotted bracket. Bend a ^ in the rod at level.

 

[iptman]

I decided to mark a tape line and paint below "bucket level" on mine. Hopefully the industrial enamel will hold up.

 

[bcjmmac]

I cut mine off - didn’t find it was useful

 

[Gordon Gould]

Yep, it's obvious in the first pic that there's more rod above the mount point than below. So now you will have rod exposed when level as Gordon does.

Here's an idea taken from my old Ford TLB. Poor pic but if you study it closely you can see the top end of the leveler tube is cutaway. When rolling the bucket back you can see the end of the rod coming and are able to stop in the right spot with rod end flush with tube end. Also if wanting to roll bucket forward a little you can still see the rod and judge how far you've moved it.

Let us know how it works for you after flipping the tube. Thanks for the follow up.


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I like that system the best so far. Never seen one like that before and will keep it in mind for sure.

gg

 

[Threepoint]

That sounds like a good outcome to me. My rod is long, which I like because I can see where the bucket is in both directions from level. I had paint for a while but it would wear where the back of the rod dragged on the tube then a little rust would get smeared in and it was hard to read. I tried spiral wrapping some aluminum tape and then covered the lower part with tuff heat shrink. Makes an easy to see marker and the heat shrink holds the tape away from the tube so it doesn't wear. I have had this on for two years now and it still looks new - lots of loader work too.

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gg

Very clever, Gordon!

 

[crazyal]

My Kubota has the bent rod style. When the bend in the rod is in the loop it passes through it's level. Not sure why some tractors are going to this style system. Gordan's idea seems like a good solution to a problem that never should have been created.

 

[BravoXray]

Mine's more elaborate than just a sliding rod, but only took a couple of hours to make, and I had all the materials on hand.

 

[WranglerX]

Mine's more elaborate than just a sliding rod, but only took a couple of hours to make, and I had all the materials on hand.

That's "origional" ....Its different ..... I like it......

Dale

 

[ovrszd]

I have both, bent rod style and rod in a tube style. I prefer bent rod style. Easier to reset the bucket on the move.

I don't think BX's idea would last for me in the brush. But it's very clever. And I imagine mentally entertaining myself half a day in the shop creating it.

 

[beenthere]

The service dept said it was in fact upside down. He said it will probably stick out now when the bucket is level. So I will likely paint or tape a mark at level.

My preference is NOT to have the rod cut flush with the top of the tube when the bucket is level.. Too much searching for the rod end when it is missing from view.. is it close, or buried one inch or two in the tube... results in fishing for it.

I put a paint mark on the rod at the bucket level point, and because that wears off over a short time, I filed a groove in the rod and painted in the groove. The mark now does not wear off.

 

[mini14]

Why do you even need one

 

[hube2]

Why do you even need one

I had the same question, but then I tried to use my bucket for plowing snow off my stone driveway and lawn. Without the level indicator I could not tell when the bucket was level and ended up scraping up stone and putting divots in my lawn. Hard to see the edge of the bucket through 6 inches of snow.

 

[WranglerX]

Why do you even need one

Because I can not see bucket front lip from operators station...

Dale

 

[ovrszd]

Why do you even need one

If you are doing repetitive work moving a pile or digging out an area a level system speeds it up dramatically. When I get to the dig/pile area I already have my bucket level.