Loader Level Bucket Indicator

[jlgurr]

I don't understand how that loader could possibly work without, cylinders.

Magnetic levitation, maybe???

 

[jlgurr]

There is nothing like experience running the FEL to gain eye/hand coordination...

Definitely something that will come with time. Already better at it with 83 hours on the clock than I was at 5 hours.

I levelled the pad for my 52 x30 shop by eyeballing it and when the contractor checked it with a surveyor level, it was within 1" of level at all corners of the slab. This was cutting down a hill, sloping the sides of the hill on the high side and making a level surface across the foundation. The hill was sloping in 2 directions also. I can say I was rather proud of my work to be that close when I finished.

Confirmation of skill and effort is always a good thing. Congrats!

 

[WaxMan]

View attachment 382050 View attachment 382051

My question was directed with your bucket on the ground, level indicators are always when your bucket is on the ground. I never said anything different.

To demonstrate my point with your picture.

Look at your first picture, it shows the bucket on the same plane as your tractor, tractor is going up hill. But you want the bucket true level for your operation.
Now lets say you have a bucket indicator that will always show "true level" (that many people think they want) . True bubble level no matter what terrane your tractor is on.

Using your first picture lets imagine what your bucket would look like true level, the bucket would have to be tipped down to go into the pile level. OK
So you scoop the pile and drive away.
Now you come back same hill only this time you want to grade the remaining pile with the hill.

Your indicator shows "true level" you put your bucket on the ground on that hill and your blade will be digging down two inches.
Is that what you wanted to do dig down?
Or did you just want to level the pile smooth with the grade?


That is why indicators do not show true level. Because they would only work in one or two situations and be useless everywhere else.
Most work is done at the grade the tractor is sitting on. The operator has to have some responsibility to operate the bucket in occasions that come up now and then.
You have a joy stick adjust to your needs.
Indicators are just guides to get you somewhat close to what you want. They can always be adjusted by the operator at any time.

Using your first picture if you wanted to grade that pile with the bucket on the ground you would have no problem with the bucket at the same plane as the tractor as shown in your picture. That is how 99% of indicators work, Always level with the plane of the tractor.

You may find some sort of true level digital indicator used on large specialize equipment, but not on normal tractors.
For a true level indicator to work you would only be able to use it on flat level ground. Whereas a level indicator on the plane of the tractor will work everywhere.
IF using your bucket at ground level.

If you wanted to load bails of hay or pick up and load things overhead you would need a self leveling loader which has the capability to aways adjust the bucket level
no matter what height.
But even the self leveling loader will not work in your pictures on a hill. The bucket is level at any height but with the grade of the tractor.
Does anyone see my point why you can't have a true level indicator?

 

[jlgurr]

Oh-no, I'm understanding your explanation better now.

In both pictures I suspect what I'm looking for is a bucket with it's bottom parallel to the plane of the surface tractor tires is on. That way forward motion of the tractor moves the bottom of the bucket straight into the target.

Also, sounds like the factory type indicators only keep the bottom of the bucket parallel to the plane of the surface at the same time it is in that plane. In other words, when the FEL is in resting position on level ground with the bottom of the bucket setting flat on the ground. From that point you can raise the FEL without any tilt and the factory indicators will not move although the bottom of the bucket is no longer parallel to the ground.

Sounds like it would be easiest for me to just lean to the side to check for bucket orientation and/or get better at "reading" the orientation from the 90° indicator tab welded on top of the bucket as mentioned in a previous post.

On the other hand, I really like how you pimped your tractor with the indicator arrows and switches. The other post you had started several months ago with the materials list and fabrication process sure indicates (no pun intended) that you know what you are doing.:thumbsup:

 

[paulfun9]

Wax man

I really don't think you and I are of different opinions on this but think I misunderstood your first post

But to answer your request of a situation anyway.

This weekend I moved about 43 tons of backfill from the back field which was dumped at the top of the hill right at the crown so each and every load had to be dug with the tractor facing up the hill but the bucket digging at a different angle in order to avoid pulling up the good topsoil that is under the pile. As you approach the highest point in the field, it then immediately begins to slope downward meaning the tractor is still facing upward and the bucket needs to dig downward. Since I am using this to change the slope of things in front of my house I also use the bucket to get a level grade where I am dumping it. Since the space is limited it requires me to actually level as I fill an area that is approx. 4 feet higher than the tractor will ever go and the area I am dumping from is not level.

 

[hawkeye08]

I think the bale spear application would be served better with a camera to see what is going on. I know Waxman has a camera to help also.

BTW, I use my factory installed level indicator as a guide, not an absolute. It gives me a starting point and I adjust from there. My indicator is not a bent rod but rather a straight rod going through a sleeve that has some tape wrapped on the rod at the bucket level position. I could easily add another color of tape to mark another position I want to have, for example to have the right angle when loading with forks. I think I am going with a camera for the forks though, I need to see more than I can see from the tractor seat...

 

[jlgurr]

I think I am going with a camera for the forks though, I need to see more than I can see from the tractor seat...

Did you see Waxman's camera install? If not, be sure to check it out before starting yours.

 

[RaydaKub]

The second picture illustrates the true level idea for me. It isn't digging, but carrying the load in a balanced way. Of course the rain barrel will slosh as you drive around and you'll lose some, but to get the max capacity, you'd want it perfectly level whether you are headed up hill or down.

I get the idea, but I'm not sure of the usefulness of applying it.

 

[boggen]

operator experience can be a big thing. with use of FEL. but the FEL may be wrong tool for the job with dirt work. reason why there are many 3pt hitch stuff out there, rear blades, box blades, land planes, graders, rakes, harrows, drag harrows, etc...

while yes you can do a huge amount of work with a FEL. alot comes down to eye hand coordination, and working the machine.

then you get into jobs, were you simply should have a second person / spotter. vs spending 3 to 4 times longer trying to do it yourself.

with above said, wish i had a power trac machine, were engine is behind you, and seat is right up there in front kinda like a skid steer with much better eye sight on things.

until that time comes along, for me FEL is "roughing things out and get overall want done", then come back with a different attachement to fine tune things and get the dirt smoothed out and like wanted.

 

[the old grind]

Channeling Rube Goldberg here for DIY light control setup. ... (Hey, it's raining .. no spray, no mow, no fertilize ..)


Cushioned pendulum stops limit travel, noise when moving or bucket not level. Please add suggestions, comments, criticisms, dope slaps, etc. (must go take my meds now..)

 

[boggen]

if you are moving stuff with FEL across the property or just a few feet, keep FEL as low to ground as possible, and generally you want the front higher than rear end of the bucket or pallet forks, so what you have doesn't slip off.

round bails, to picking up pallets or putting them down. they don't magically slide on/off the forks or bale spear. being able to judge weight on a trailer, as suspension on the trailer causes it to raise or lower. along with how much resistance is needed to keep from pushing pallet across a trailer vs getting forks under pallet to pick pallet up. to tipping forks enough so further end of pallet away form you has enough weight / resistance to stay put as you slide the forks out from under pallet.

 

[ruffdog]

All them years of operating loaders excavating, hauling, moving on farms and job sites, and operating both fork trucks and large off road pickers, I never had a level indicator. I do use the level indicator on my tractor as the rod and sleeve design is simple and effective. When the end of the rod is flush with the end of the sleeve, the bucket is level with the tractor. I think I could have a job done by the time others are done setting up their gizmos to start the job.

 

[ruffdog]

Just like with welding, the more experience you have, the less you have to "see" everything.

 

[Coolerman]

Waxman, the implementation of the bucket leveler is simply beautiful! :drink::thumbsup:

I think some are missing the point. Of course it won't work in all situations, most aids don't. However, it works in YOUR situation and that's all that matters. Personally, I feel your mods are as much about the design, layout, and build as they are about their function. I envy your skills as a metal fabricator.
I'm a gadget freak. I love things that add a little bling while also having a purpose. Your mods do both! I sometimes add things just because I can and nothing more. The more bling it has, the better!

I know some folks just don't have the time, the skills, or the tools to do this kind of thing to their daily working equipment. That is not an excuse to pick apart those who do. Enjoy the fact they were willing to share that knowledge. So many people will not share their skills.

Mark aka Coolerman

 

[Gem99ultra]

Waxman, the implementation of the bucket leveler is simply beautiful! :drink::thumbsup:

I think some are missing the point. Of course it won't work in all situations, most aids don't. However, it works in YOUR situation and that's all that matters. Personally, I feel your mods are as much about the design, layout, and build as they are about their function. I envy your skills as a metal fabricator.
I'm a gadget freak. I love things that add a little bling while also having a purpose. Your mods do both! I sometimes add things just because I can and nothing more. The more bling it has, the better!

I know some folks just don't have the time, the skills, or the tools to do this kind of thing to their daily working equipment. That is not an excuse to pick apart those who do. Enjoy the fact they were willing to share that knowledge. So many people will not share their skills.

Mark aka Coolerman

Coolerman is dead on target with his comments about doing things just for the satisfaction of doing them. Addressing the comment to the many on here that have been involved in race cars... How many hours - no, make that HUNDREDS of hours have you spent making a mod that 'someone' said helped improve your speed or handling of your race car? Some mods work good, some don't work at all, and none fit 'everybody's approval!
I encourage Waxman to keep doing exactly what he's doing, i.e. experimenting and modifying to suit his pleasure. You don't need everyone's approval, but I assure you, you have mine whether or not it's something that I 'should've, would've or could've done on my tractor.

 

[Troy9221]

Hi interested where I can get that Electronic Fel indicator. where can I purchase that from thanks

 

[daveknowshow]

I find it very useful but you must keep in mind its a point of reference only. the purpose is to gain a point to start from in relationship to the tractor itself. here is my version of a DIY bucket level indicator if anyone is interested. http://youtu.be/KrUDr7WDDiE

 

[ruko]

I have 150 hrs on my tractor, with over 1 hundred hours on using my Electronic Fel indicator. Never ever a failure.
It is truly amazing how much I rely on the green light, its like second nature to me now, green light, good to go no matter where the bucket is.
The bad side, I think if I use another tractor without one I wouldn't know how to operate it.

Can you tell where this is available?
Thanks