L4310 Enhancements

MChalkley · Nov 24, 2000

Gordon - I thought about your fan idea just the other day when I plugged the cell phone charger into the accessory outlet in the console. I still need to go to a truck stop store and get one. Right now, it's a pretty low priority, though - at least until next summer.

As for the stereo, you still haven't convinced me that I need one of those yet. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

JATO_RaT · Nov 24, 2000

Gordon, although I find Bach most enjoyable, I find his music mathematical and less emotional, at least not when compared to Mozart, Beethoven or even Chopin, however, there are times when Bach is most appropriate, particularly in repetitive exercises like loading in tight spots where emotion is a less desireable state to be in. Rat...

"INTERNATIONAL BABY"

Anonymous Poster · Dec 1, 2000

You find the neatest stuff on this list... would you believe an analysis of classical composers by a Rat?

paccorti · Dec 1, 2000

Mark,

Your enhancements are an inspiration to us all /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I'm putting some lights on my machine and I feel like that's a big deal. So Mark how far will this go? I see that R&B has a remote level sensor. How about we wire that sensor into a computer and automatically level your 3 point (using your tilt cylinder). Then you could drive over any terrain and your blade (or whatever) would have a feedback loop keeping it level (or at a perscribed angle). That would be so cool. Hmmm, does anyone make a digitally controlled hydraulic valve....

Peter

JATO_RaT · Dec 2, 2000

Peter, there are times I have considered this, especially on my box scraper. It can be so hard to get an area level once its been wash boarded. I was watching the farmers level there rice fields with laser guided scrapers out here in California and find it amazing how level they get the fields. I want that, I'm just waiting for Mark to tell/show us how to do it, I think this would be another one for the L4310 Enhancements column. Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

paccorti · Dec 2, 2000

Rat,

What you are thinking is far more ambitious than what I was thinking. Here is one way it "might" work. I'm sure you've seen those rotating laser levels that contractors use. Set one of those up in the area where you want to level. Then add a pole with a bunch of laser sensors arranged vertically on the 3 pt. Each laser sensor would be wired individually to a computer (or in such a way that you can detact which sensor has the beam). Add two remote levels for left/right (roll) and front/back (pitch) on the 3 pt implement. Send all this sensor info to the computer. Then you need three hydraulically actuated valves: 3 pt up/down, tilt cylinder and top link cylinder. All three valves would be computer controlled. Using a laptop you could set the computer as follows: set 3 pt cutting edge 3.5 feet below laser beam, set roll to 3 degrees down on right (maybe for crowning a road), set implement cutting angle to 1 degree downward (for digging). Then you could drive along the road and the 3 point would maintain the proper attitude for the implement. Mind you, you might have to drive over areas multiple times, but you would be assured that you never "over dig" an area. Computers and tractors. Someday I will build this, not because I need it but because it would be so cool.

Peter

JATO_RaT · Dec 2, 2000

Peter, that sounds like a great start. As I was driving home I got to thinking about this a little. I kinda was thinking along these same lines as that is what the farmers out here use, a rotating laser on a tripod out in the field. They use what looks like aboout a 20' wide box scraper. The scraper is supported by four wheels that are about 10' to 15' in front and in back of the scraper box. Its also the method I see the major road builders around using on their graders. The blade actually has a pole and receiver while a simple tripod/laser sender is located out of the way. There must be a website with this info. I could see implememnting this to a simple box scraper and at least get an audio signal that lets you know where you are in relation to a predetermined elevation or slope. Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

RBManufacturing · Dec 3, 2000

Hi Guys,
Rick here. There is such a leveling device available. It
is designed for use on tile plows. (a machine that cuts a
trench in farm fields and lays a flexible pipe in ground
as it goes. The tile drains water from low spots in fields
for water run off. ) Tile plows cost from $5000.00 to
$20.000.00. Laser leveling control system consists of a
transit, laser, hydraucil valves for tractor, receiver
and all necessary hardware. Additional cost for leveling
system is $7000.00 to $9000.00. We have worked on our own
version of this at the request of several tile plow mfgs.
They could sell many more plows if a cheaper version was
available. A rotating laser sends beam to a receiver on
tractor.If beam is below pre-set point, on board computer
raises plow. If too high, it lowers it. Many farmers will
not pay Average of $7000.00 for plow and additional
$7000.00 to be able to use it. Our project is on hold due
to lack of R&D funds. Maybe someday.......... Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

JATO_RaT · Dec 3, 2000

Rick, I was telling Peter, the farmers out here in Northern California use laser assisted leveling, particularly those growing rice. They flood the fields with water and as the water is removed, its easy to see the high spots, but there are very few, even over hundreds of acres. I can certainly understand the situation farmers face as far as costs. Its an expensive operation with an uncertain value for their product. Still, it could be used by so many folks beyond farmers. Thanks for the added information, Rat...

INTERNATIONAL BABY"

Thomas · Dec 3, 2000

Rick,
I kinda seen a lazer device in which your talking about this summer,which was on a BIG /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Caterpillar grader in which there were leveling a road,maybe Caterpillar could help.

There another company call Ditchwitch.
I saw this unit dig also lay plastic piping at the sametime also had a lazer device,as they in stall a miles of water line on the campus golf coarse.
Maybe they can help also.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MChalkley · Dec 3, 2000

Peter - Thanks! I'm glad you've found the info useful for something.

I've been out of town since last Tuesday working on a project. Because of the predicted snow storm for the mid-Atlantic states (which hasn't turned out to be nearly as bad as they were saying it would be), we finished up late Saturday night so we could get back home. Anyway it gave me a really good chance to check out the lights. I dug holes for a dozen or so trees, hauled a lot of mulch and topsoil, etc. well after it got completely dark. They worked great. When I first put in the rear-mounted flood along with the traps, I wasn't sure if they would both be all that handy, but I was glad I had them. When backing up, it was nice to have the traps to see a distance, but the flood worked perfectly for seeing up close for digging the holes.

Computer controlled hydraulics, eh? As all the others have mentioned, it's been done, but not on a compact utility tractor, as far as I know. Could be interesting, though...

MarkC

MChalkley · Dec 3, 2000

Rat - I've got a "back-to-basics" approach to leveling roads, especially washboarded ones, that works pretty well already, though it doesn't have much "gee whiz" factor: If you put a trailing gauge wheel on a blade (end plates, or at least one on the left side, help too) and a hydraulic cylinder to control its depth, you can make grading pretty painless. You just put the 3-point hitch control in float position and the trailing gauge wheel rides on ground that the blade has already cut, which is automatically a lot smoother than what the tractor is riding on, so the blade doesn't react so much to the pre-graded surface. You still have to go over it more than once, generally, but it's a lot faster and you end up with a lot better job, too.

MarkC

Rowski · Dec 3, 2000

MarkC

Do you have a single gauge wheel on you blade or two (which is better). I though I remembered seeing you blade picture but can't find it. I am going to make a gauge wheel setup for my blade this winter with end plates. Where do I get the guage wheel assembly from? I still have the hydraulic setup question for you (and anybody else). I will post it under another topic. Thanks

Derek

I here you are supposed to get a wild snow storm!??

MChalkley · Dec 3, 2000

Derek - Here's one picture I found in an earlier post on this topic that shows the blade, though it's pretty hard to see the gauge wheel and cylinder: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/2-11084-sideview2.jpg.

I use a single gauge wheel to control the overall depth and the tilt cylinders to control the side-to-side angle. But two gauge wheels would work better, I expect. I just did it the way I did because Landpride made the gauge wheel for the middle. I adapted a cylinder to it. Depending on the type of blade you have, you can probably get a gauge wheel from the manufacturer.

MarkC

Rowski · Dec 3, 2000

The attachment is picture of blade (Woods) on tractor. I was initally thinking of having two gauge wheels to help control the slight up and down movement (from looseness in the "head or turntable" of the blade). My thoughts were to get a heavy duty caster from northern tool and make by own manual adjustable bracket (either square or round stock). I would like them hydraulic but its to much for what I need. Also are your endplates flush with the bottom of the blade?

Derek

MChalkley · Dec 3, 2000

Derek - My Landpride blade has some slop in it, but it doesn't cause a problem when grading. Either one or two would work fine I suspect, but if you go hydraulic, plumbing for one is a lot less trouble.

My endplates are set about 1 1/2" above the bottom of the blade. Most of the time, I only have the left one installed. Angling the blade so the right side is closer to the tractor causes the dirt to flow toward the left side when I pull it anyway.

MarkC

Rowski · Dec 3, 2000

Thanks. This is my winter project. I'll post the results in the spring. I'm still up in the air 1 or 2 wheels? Might have to sleep on it.

Thanks again... MarkC the "Enhancement Guru"

Derek

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Rowski on 12/3/00 01:25 PM.</FONT></P>

RBManufacturing · Dec 3, 2000

Rat & Thomas,
Thanks for the info. I have found 3 companies that make the
laser leveling system. Everyone uses one or another of the
three. All very expensive. If I ever get enough R&D cash,
I'll make something equivelent. MUCH CHEAPER. Initial
research shows hydraulics and plumbing to run less than
$1000.00. Electronics, and computer system $1700.00 and
laser from $1000.00 to $2000.00. I believe with the right
suppliers, and the right people to help, I can do so and
still make a GOOD profit. From everyone that has asked for
the system, I believe a HUGE market is there. I have three
tile plow companies that would buy immediately if the price
is right. Most just sell the plow and tell the buyer where
to get the laser system. All three would sell the laser
also if they got a cut, or even if just the price was lower.
I could sell in quantities since I already have a market
for such things. Again,Maybe someday..........Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

gordon · Dec 3, 2000

Now that is a very tough question to answer---one or two gauge wheels. I've got one on my blade and two on my rake. I guess each has it's advantages and disadvantages.

Single wheel on the blade is great for being able to backup close to a tree or post with the corner of the blade, can't do that with the rake. Dual wheel would be a steadier ride to get rid of any blade wobble. My blade has some wobble it's the nature of the beast. Thinking about it the single gauge wheel works just fine on the blade. I just run it alittle different than the rake. ---Did any of that make sense? I'll think about it some more.

I can say this a gauge wheel will spoil you very quickly. Just wish mine was hydraluic I've got to get off the tractor to adjust the ratchet on the gauge wheel.
Gordon