How practical is a bucket level indicator?

PJR · Mar 5, 2003

TD,

If you have a 440 loader on your 855 the price for the level indicator should be 37.00, plus UPS charges 8.00 to 10.00, plus tax at sumner tractor.

If you buy it at Agrishop inc. in Auburn. A John Deere dealer also, it is in stock and 37.00 plus tax.
If you buy it at Bryants tractor in Renton a JD dealer its in stock and 35.00 plus tax.

Did you buy your First Choice aerator? How well does it work? What size did you get? I am looking to buy one also.

Thanks Pat

bigpete · Mar 5, 2003

I can't think of a single reason to NOT cut off the top of the rod, other than it's just as easy to paint it and cutting it off is permanent.

gvw · Mar 5, 2003

DO IT! - I would not even think of not having one - I'm actually amazed that anyone would run a loader w/o out one including an auto level - if you do any quanity of loader work with your bucket you will love it - JUST DO IT

Anonymous Poster · Mar 5, 2003

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Get It. Mine came with my tractor, and I found it to be useful.
Not that I have a lot of experience with it (9hrs of playing in snow) but I found it useful in snow removal because I had to dump alot of snow, and it made it very easy to place the bucket back to a plowing position.

tdenny · Mar 5, 2003

Pat,

Nope I have a 70A loader. They are very similar if I remember correctly.

Those prices you gave me are pretty good if they have one to fit the 70A. I will call around. I like both Agri Shop and Sumner Tractor but I will not go to Bryants even to save a few bucks. I work in Renton so he is close and when I was in the process of buying a tractor I went there often usually drooling - but I found them to be not customer oriented at all. Perhaps it's just me and my award winning personality. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hopefully you've had better luck with them.

I haven't purchased my aerator yet as First Choice doesn't seem to be functioning any more. I've spoken with Jim at Midwest about theirs (same unit with some enhancements?) and am saving up for it. It's a pretty expensive attachment considering how often I'd actually use it (twice a year perhaps).

Hope you are getting up to Crystal for some skiing now that they have some snow. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

hoghead · Mar 6, 2003

Can anyone who has a JD 420 or 430 loader tell me how far the bar sticks above the tube when the loader bucket is level. it seems mine just sticks above a couple of inches which makes it hard to mark different angles

Heath · Mar 6, 2003

The level indicator on my 410 loader sticks up about 2" with the bucket in a level position.

PJR · Mar 6, 2003

TD,

That is why I don't like buying at Sumner tractor. The parts guys are good guy's.

The skiing is getting better and better so we will be going soon.

The agrishop in Auburn had a few level indicators in stock.

Pat

Egon · Mar 6, 2003

Okay, the sking is great; but Iv'e got a bum knee and doctor says " No Sking " till a specialist gets to look at it and perhaps rearange it. Real bummer.
Ride the double black dianonds for me.

Egon

Egon · Mar 6, 2003

Flat and level exist in very few lands. Good work will depend on stakes and a skilled operator.

Egon

tdenny · Mar 7, 2003

Pat,

I did go to tghe Agri Shop yesterday and they had lots of indicators in stock. The only problem is that my 855 (with 70A) loader is a little different than the 419, 420, etc. I don't have a factory built in hole for the level indicator. There is an extra hole but it is taken up by an extra piece that is part of the boom pin - hard to describe. I guess I'll have to drill a separate hole for it. Anybody had this problem before?

BATTY54 · Mar 8, 2003

I thought the auto level bucket was built into the arms and hydraulics. Isn't it supposed to keep your bucket level as your raise it, so the contents of the bucket won't spill back on you. I used a hough loader with this feature and thought it was standard on all large machines, never saw one on a small loader. The float feature on your valve lets the bucket level to the plane of the groud when it hits dosen't it?

bigpete · Mar 8, 2003

It's a little closer to 3-1/2" on the 210 loader. Here's a pick showing a simple painting of the tip of the rod with "school bus yellow" enamel with two coats of clear acrylic to slow the wear. I figure the paint will be worn off sooner or later, but the acrylic might make it a little later. Now, if I see all yellow, I'm diggin'. I'll probably end up marking a couple of angles with a Sharpie as I learn a little more about the loader's capabilities.

Gary_in_Indiana · Mar 12, 2003

For what it's worth, I spoke with Pieter at First Choice just a couple of weeks ago and they seem to be going strong if not posting here any longer. You should buy whatever from whomever you choose, of course. I only wanted to help you do so from an informed position. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GaryK · Mar 14, 2003

I have a 410 loader, what I did was get the bucket level, then cut the rod off flush with the tube(its at an angle) then painted the top of the rod. so when you dump etc you can see at an instant when the bucket is level again. woorks great. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

thcri · Mar 14, 2003

Gary,

Make sure your tube is long enough so that when you tip the bucket way forward that the rod does not fall out on you.

What I actually did was put some colored tape on my rod which then I had a couple of different angles then.

murph

tdenny · Mar 17, 2003

I was also very concerned with the rod falling out on me which is why I didn't cut it off as well. In fact I just painted mine last night. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif