LEVEL INDICATOR FOR TILT CYLINDER ON TNT

[npalen]

I used a throttle/choke control cable to come up with this level indicator which is mounted at eye level on the ROPS. The indicator housing was drilled and milled out of a 3/4" square 6061 aluminum and has a 1/2" OD plastic hose inside to house the slider. A long piece of 1/4" ID clear plastic hose is slid over the cable to keep moisture out with the end extending up into the indicator housing. Probably should make a scale to attach next to the indicator window with an adjustable "level" indicator. The leveling cylinder is smaller than most at 1 1/2" bore x 4" stroke but seems plenty adequate given the 3PT lift capacity.

 

[ovrszd]

Very cool.

I worked on something like this for mine last Winter but gave up. I used an indicator rod, like a level bucket indicator, mounted on the cylinder. Then I realized it only knows level in regards to the tractor. So kinda let it go. It's still on the cylinder but I never look at it.

I still see a great need for something like this if you are wanting to change the pitch of a grade or driveway. For example if your driveway is too flat, you can add a few degrees of tilt to your blade or box blade or grader by watching the indicator and repeat passes until the desired result is reached.

 

[beemerphile]

...hen I realized it only knows level in regards to the tractor. So kinda let it go. It's still on the cylinder but I never look at it.

I still see a great need for something like this if you are wanting to change the pitch of a grade or driveway. For example if your driveway is too flat, you can add a few degrees of tilt to your blade or box blade or grader by watching the indicator and repeat passes until the desired result is reached.

An electronic remote reading inclinometer should do it. They are getting fairly cheap these days. I had considered installing a dual axis one to display both top and tilt angles relative to earth. Not necessarily this particular item, but one with similar functionality...

RAS-2-10 - Dual axis inclinometer with remote display, ±10°

another...

http://www.kar-tech.com/inclinometer.html

(An inclinometer would make a great bucket level indicator as well. If you had a transducer on the tractor frame as well you could calculate relative angle by subtraction in addition to absolute measure.)

 

[npalen]

I should mention that the main reason for adding this indicator is that I can't see the leveling cylinder from the tractor seat.

 

[ovrszd]

Wish I could think of the TBN Member's name. But there's this guy that is a whiz at stuff like this. Built an electric bucket level indicator with flashing lights. Has a camera mounted on his FEL as well to see the cutting edge of the bucket. He talked some about the inclinometer philosophy too.

I think if a person was doing a LOT of landscape grading or road building it would a valued addition!!! For my uses, it was more of a gimmick that I thought would be cool.

 

[npalen]

My main reason for building this was to enable quick re-leveling after running the blade tilted. Would normally re-level by bringing the blade or other attachment down near a flat surface then leveling with the tilt cylinder. The level indicator allows this to be done on the go which is much faster. The indicator levels to the tractor which I prefer over leveling to gravity. Incidentally, the last picture above appears to show interference between the cylinder shaft and the ROPS. That is an optical illusion.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, that was my original goal as well. I think you can also use yours to determine amount of cut if trying to change the grade of a roadbed or whatever.

 

[murphy1244]

Wish I could think of the TBN Member's name. But there's this guy that is a whiz at stuff like this. Built an electric bucket level indicator with flashing lights. Has a camera mounted on his FEL as well to see the cutting edge of the bucket. He talked some about the inclinometer philosophy too.

I think if a person was doing a LOT of landscape grading or road building it would a valued addition!!! For my uses, it was more of a gimmick that I thought would be cool.

Your thinking of Waxman.

 

[npalen]

I'm surprised that no one asked how the indicator is attached to the ROPS.

 

[kennyd]

Very clever :thumbsup: