Fragile, Inaccurate, or Useful? Let’s Talk Bucket Level Indicators!

[bdhsfz6]

The M12 Milwaukee batteries with adapter should work fine to power both camera and monitor.
If you have a cab, there is usually a piece of iron a magnet will stick to:

Monitor mounting on open station tractors is more difficult and there are also sun glare issues.

 

[repete]

This right here. Thanks rscotty for the picture. Of all the other systems, how many can tell me when the bucket is level six feet off the ground and drop rocks on it and have it still work like a charm. Simple and effective.

 

[BnRidge]

I use mine whenever the grapple is used. If I tilt just right the grapple neither digs into the ground nor rides above branches. Every time I go to grab hold of something I'm also glancing at that indicator. There really is no spot on the attachment itself to gauge levelness. Otherwise, the forks I can stand and look (a camera may be more useful there), or the bucket I can eye up one of the square top edges.

 

[rScotty]

This right here. Thanks rscotty for the picture. Of all the other systems, how many can tell me when the bucket is level six feet off the ground and drop rocks on it and have it still work like a charm. Simple and effective.
View attachment 2089188

Thanks, I found that simple flat bar on top of the bucket useful too. My hat's off to Kubota for doing it - and doubly so because they did it without any fanfare or even any explanation. For the longest time I wondered what those flats on top of the bucket were there for. I bet I'm not alone.

And anyone can easily add that feature to their FEL to better judge the angle of the bucket cutting edge. The downside to that simple solution is it still needs well-calibrated Mk II eyeballs to confirm how the level changes when the loader arms are moved. The better the eyeball, the better the leveling.

I am also greatly intrigued by Medonsy's setup back on message #11 - the one where he shows a curved gauge with dual pointers - one pointer showing bucket angle now, and the other pointer showing the angle the bucket will have if lowered at the ground.

That is a one very clever idea. .
rScotty

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a digital inclinometer that has Bluetooth to smart phone.

Amazon.com

 

[ruffdog]

A guy with a Deere made this electronic one:

John Deere Compact Utility Tractors | Added an electronic inclinometer on my 3039r so I can tell the angle of my front implement | Facebook

 

[WranglerX]

Thanks, I found that simple flat bar on top of the bucket useful too. My hat's off to Kubota for doing it - and doubly so because they did it without any fanfare or even any explanation. For the longest time I wondered what those flats on top of the bucket were there for. I bet I'm not alone.

And anyone can easily add that feature to their FEL to better judge the angle of the bucket cutting edge. The downside to that simple solution is it still needs well-calibrated Mk II eyeballs to confirm how the level changes when the loader arms are moved. The better the eyeball, the better the leveling.

I am also greatly intrigued by Medonsy's setup back on message #11 - the one where he shows a curved gauge with dual pointers - one pointer showing bucket angle now, and the other pointer showing the angle the bucket will have if lowered at the ground.

That is a one very clever idea. .
rScotty

View attachment 2089200

Think there was a single pointer version somewhere..... Kinda remember it.... BUT then I only use level indicator when bucket is "grounded"....

 

[repete]

I could not find any indicator that I liked so I built my own. The curved face is linked to the bucket and rotates as the bucket is tilted. There are two pointers to indicate position. The one closest to the curved face is linked to the loader frame and shows the current level condition of the bucket. The other one is fixed position to show where the loader will be when lowered to ground level.

The dimensions required to make it work accurately are a bit tricky and would be different for each loader so some experimenting is required.
View attachment 2053393

Can you post a video of how this works as you raise and lower the arms?

 

[Mendonsy]

Can you post a video of how this works as you raise and lower the arms?

Maybe when the weather improves a bit. Right now it is below zero and snowing so I'm not going outside.

 

[sd455dan]

Never had a tractor that had one, I welded a piece of rebar to my bucket so when the top is covered with snow I can still see it. Sometimes I just set the bucket down and rock it to feel where flat is, sometimes Flat is Not the same thing as level though.

I do Really like the self leveling FEL on the TLB though very handy when lifting up high.