HYDRAULICS--WHAT IS IT?

[ovrszd]

I rigged up this sliding rod, similar to a bucket level indicator. I never pay any attention to it. I instead pay attention to the finished product behind the BB or rear blade, or whatever else I'm using. And I still have Dual Action on the cylinder.

 

[Jim Timber]

I'm thinking of some stainless heavier cable (just got a hank of it for another project for $.58/ft at Homie D) up a sleeve of some poly tube. It's not like the liner is going to wear out very fast. Maybe small Pex?

I'm trying to envision how I'd rig up a dial indicator linkage to point to a spot on a rule. Maybe a 4:1 travel reduction so it'd only move an inch either side of center; but I just want to look down at the cylinder and see where it is, I don't want to bring it up to the OS.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Bike cable housing is teflon lined. Combine with silicone lube and no sticking. Someone with your skills should be able to build a spring loaded leaver to retract 4" of cable at the non-cylinder end.
Most bicycle mechancs are pretty resourceful. Go to your local shop and they might be able to help with ideas. :2cents:

 

[npalen]

I rigged up this sliding rod, similar to a bucket level indicator. I never pay any attention to it. I instead pay attention to the finished product behind the BB or rear blade, or whatever else I'm using. And I still have Dual Action on the cylinder.

View attachment 457380

Looks like you just need to add port to the top end of your 3PH cylinders. Then you WOULD have down pressure.
I didn't realize that any of the Kubota's had external 3PH cylinders.

 

[ovrszd]

Looks like you just need to add port to the top end of your 3PH cylinders. Then you WOULD have down pressure.
I didn't realize that any of the Kubota's had external 3PH cylinders.

I rarely have a need for down pressure on the 3pt. But yeah, I guess you could rig up something like that.

A lot of the Utility models and up have external cylinders to boost the lift capabilities. That picture is of my M9540.

 

[Jim Timber]

Bike cable housing is teflon lined. Combine with silicone lube and no sticking. Someone with your skills should be able to build a spring loaded leaver to retract 4" of cable at the non-cylinder end.
Most bicycle mechancs are pretty resourceful. Go to your local shop and they might be able to help with ideas. :2cents:

True, a spring would work to pull tension on the top side. I think he's trying to keep it small footprint.

 

[aczlan]

Looks like you just need to add port to the top end of your 3PH cylinders. Then you WOULD have down pressure.
I didn't realize that any of the Kubota's had external 3PH cylinders.

Our L3830 has that as well.


Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

True, a spring would work to pull tension on the top side. I think he's trying to keep it small footprint.

How about a light compression spring at the bottom of the "sightglass" to push up on the indicator?

Aaron Z

 

[npalen]

The compression spring along with the bicycle cable would seem doable.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

As I understand it the spring would need 4" of travel.

 

[Jim Timber]

Mine will have a 7" cylinder. I'm not sure if I'll do anything beyond just putting a rod in a tube on the side like the bucket level indicator.

 

[npalen]

You guys are making it too simple. Need to do something like this:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ital-readout-3ph-top-cylinder.html?highlight=

 

[Jim Timber]

When it comes down to it, the grade on the ground is really all that matters. I couldn't care less if the angles are the same on both sides of the ditch.

 

[ovrszd]

When it comes down to it, the grade on the ground is really all that matters. I couldn't care less if the angles are the same on both sides of the ditch.

Yep, that was my point in post #21.

Generally I can see what needs done. And a guide is only leveling the implement to the tractor. So,,,, you still gotta use your own judgement on what's level on the ground.

 

[Jim Timber]

And it's a very valid point. Sometimes the inner engineer needs to look at the problem from the problem side instead of finding a solution which isn't needed.

 

[npalen]

OK, I probably deserve those comments. Being a retired farm boy/engineer/tool designer/machinist etc (master of none) I have lots of time on my hands and I try to fill it by dreaming up shop projects that are sometimes "over the top".
I did some grading this PM on a large new home lot and kind of got a feel for the "hydraulic level". It's handy when you've been doing a little ditching and then want to get the blade back to level. It can be done, for example, while backing up to take another pass. I'm running gauge wheels (training wheels?) behind the blade and they more or less dictate the "level" of the blade but still want to know that the 3PH is level and not putting things in a bind.
I'm really not interested in a specific angle but just want to know when the attachment is level. But then it would be fun to design and fab a digital angle readout with adjustable level point...............
Yep, too much time on my hands.:laughing:

 

[Jim Timber]

OK, I probably deserve those comments.

Haven't seen many of my posts have ya? I wasn't talking about you.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, we aren't picking on you at all!!!!! Appreciate your enthusiasm about it. Of course if you "dream" up something you are obligated to continue this thread with more pictures.

Everyone's needs and uses are different. And I always come away with more ideas!!!! I started a thread today about a cutting table project. I need some new ideas. Some may tell me that I don't need the table to fold. That's okay. So far I've got some great ideas!!!!

 

[/pine]

Methinks it won't be long before grading etc. attachments have scanning sensors that automatically control the pitch and attitude of a blade etc...with pre-programmed apps for setting crowns etc...

With an inertial elevation module they could be set to never cut below a certain elevation/grade etc...

There is no end to applying technology to replace eye/hand adjustments etc...

 

[npalen]

Methinks it won't be long before grading etc. attachments have scanning sensors that automatically control the pitch and attitude of a blade etc...with pre-programmed apps for setting crowns etc...

With an inertial elevation module they could be set to never cut below a certain elevation/grade etc...

There is no end to applying technology to replace eye/hand adjustments etc...

The laser leveling technology is widely used on earth moving equipment but I don't know what capabilities laser has for defining contours. I could see where GPS contouring is maybe on the horizon but not sure that the accuracy is there yet.

I can't help but wonder that if a contour can be mapped with enough data points that a 3D computer model of the existing contour could be established. Then the contour could be modified to the desired shape in 3D CAD with output in the form of many data points for elevation. Here again I'm not sure where current techology lies in this field. (Getting into some unintended puns here)
The data would then be put into earthmoving equipment to control the cuts and fills.
Anyone familar with some of this technology that can enlighten?

I do know that drones with cameras can now map even large areas and output a 3D elevation model via software such as:
https://www.pix4d.com/
I've played with it some but does require quite a bit of computer time to generate.