Loader front bucket level indicator

[ETpilot]

Don't let the horn bother you. It would only sound when bucket is level. The rest of the time it would be off. If it were on you could tilt enough to turn it off. This would be just for those times when you really need to know that the bucket is level. Most times I rarely have the bucket level. But, there are times when I need to know it is level.

Giving it more thought, a circuit with an led would be low power and eliminate the need for a relay. I may have to play with this idea when I have some spare time.

 

[JohninCT]

Found this at Surplus Center. Maybe it will help somebody with your electrical bucket level indicator ideas.

Surplus Center - 11-30 VDC EQUIPMENT TILT SWITCH

 

[94BULLITT]

Found this at Surplus Center. Maybe it will help somebody with your electrical bucket level indicator ideas.

Surplus Center - 11-30 VDC EQUIPMENT TILT SWITCH

Maybe you could hook that to a indicator light.

 

[dkizerian]

instead of a horn, why not just a small piezo buzzer. Doesn't have to be very loud, just enough to hear over the tractor.

 

[ETpilot]

instead of a horn, why not just a small piezo buzzer. Doesn't have to be very loud, just enough to hear over the tractor.

Yes, that should work. I have a homemade volt/continuity tester. I used a piezo buzzer in the tester.

Today I checked my switch, using my volt/cont meter, and I believe it may prove to be a workable thing. I am going to make a wooden model and test it on the bucket. If it works then I will make a permanent model for the bucket.

 

[jenkinsph]

One could be made by installing limit switch and beeper on loader arm. I do not know of anything commercially available. Another option would be to turn a light on and off on the dash. That way the beeping would not irritate you.

Good luck and have fun with your new tractor! :thumbsup:

I suspect this would be the best method, a rod with a smooth ball on it to raise a limit switch or the opposite a sliding bar with a notch in it to operate the switch.

 

[thepits]

I think I have found something that will work. May cost some money but pretty sure it will work. A proximity switch here is a link to the part PE30 - Heavy-Duty Proximity Switch
have been emailing this company and this switch is made for this perpus can handle all types of weather. I may give it a try and if works i'll post a pic.

 

[kiotiken]

I think I have found something that will work. May cost some money but pretty sure it will work. A proximity switch here is a link to the part PE30 - Heavy-Duty Proximity Switch
have been emailing this company and this switch is made for this perpus can handle all types of weather. I may give it a try and if works i'll post a pic.

Yes please. You've made me aware of a feature that I didn't realize was a necessity that I can no longer live without. A nice little dash light when the bucket is perfectly level sound like a great idea, regardless of how well you can see :thumbsup: Start putting them together as a kit and sell them to TBN members.

 

[BeeferMan]

Back "in the day", I used to run a JD 450 bucket dozer, it had a "return to dig" feature. After you dumped the bucket, you could pull the control to curl the bucket, it would latch in a detent and when the bucket was level it would automatically knock the curl lever into neutral position leaving the bucket in the level position. It did this using a rod attached on one end to the bucket, which slid inside a tube attached to the loader frame. A microswitch was positioned at the end of the tube. This set up was adjusted so when curling the bucket, the end of the rod came out the end of the tube right when the bucket was level, that tripped the microswitch and magic electrical stuff happened...

 

[Farmerford]

thepits:

I made a mechanical one for a B2400 that flips a flag so it is easy to see and an electrical one for a JD crawler loader. Will take pictures Saturday and post.

 

[Briana03]

You may want to contact R&B Manufacturing. I believe they have such a product. Here is their info:

R&B Manufacturing
Phone: 816-587-9814
Website: Inclinometer | R&B MFG. Inc.

 

[ETpilot]

Ok who wants to buy the prototype model?

Yesterday turned into a very rainy day and working in the shop I found that I have a roof leak. Bummer. Since I could not work outside, I spent some time in the shop going over my proposed level indicator. I then started making a wooden model. I finished it today and tried it out on the tractor. So far, initial tests, it works great. It is a bit shaky from the vibration but it was not put together as a final product. Have to test it a bit.

Here is the specifications that I wanted:

1. Portable. I do not want a permanently installed model. So the mount will be permanent but the indicator will be removable. I will only use it for certain projects. Of course, this could change.

2. Self contained. It is battery powered so no wiring going to the tractor nor operator's station. Although, a wire could be run for indication close to the operator. Simple wiring no relay.

3. Bucket mounted so any sound device would have to be loud to hear from the bucket unless wired as in 3. A light is best for me and that is what I used, powered by 3 AAA batteries. A very interesting light fixture. Easily visible in direct sunlight.

4. You can find bucket level at any height. Today I got on the shop roof to check my roof leak area. I positioned the tractor next to the shop and raised the bucket to about 11' and leveled bucket. This was in case I slipped and fell I would only go as far as the bucket. Then I tested it at ground level. Easy to level. This feature will come in handy for a project I will soon start.

5. As it turned out I can find bucket level and also bucket 5 degrees down. It appears that the switch I used gives about a 5 degree leeway. An attachment might be adaptable to find other degrees of bucket down for those who may need such info. Just still thinking.

6. Inexpensive to make.

Now I have to start thinking about how to put all these features into the permanent model and then test to see how that one will work. Hmmmm I may have to gear up for production.