Loader level gauge

[HomeBrew2]

I thought this might be of interest to someone ... who know's who. I've been using it for several weeks now and haven't figgered out how to mangle it or tear it off yet. Kindof another no-brainer, like the thumb (previousy posted today). Materials are a lonesome piece of 1/8" welding (filler) rod, a scrap of bed-frame-angleiron and a piece of 3/8" OD steel tubing ... oh, and a little red pvc electrical tape. Obviously the C-clamp was intended to be temporary to test the design ... now I'm kinda stuck on seeing it there ...
I'm pretty happy with the fact that I didn't spend $20-$60 bux on similarly capable device that was all painted purty but didn't even have a C-clamp sticking out so everyone could see it. As everyone has said ... a bucket level gauge is imeasuarably helpful.
Cheers!

 

[PineRidge]

I have always wondered what made Kubota think that a good bucket level indicator wasn't necessary on their machines anyway. Do they offer a half way decent one as an option or just that gadget that fastened to the bucket on your machine? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

Good question Mike ... I have no idea what Kubota offers other than than the tractor I bought. I couldn't wait to leave my check and get outta the dealership ... kindof a personality disorder on my part. It's a pretty good baby tractor so I really can't gripe and I kept my brain and hands busy to boot messing with stuff it didn't come with.
Thanks for the reply.
Cheers!

 

[PineRidge]

Well you did good and made one for yourself anyway so you won't be trying to figure out how to work the one that came with it. Good for you.

 

[Junkman]

Kubota doesn't offer one, but the one that I have works great. Unfortunately, I don't have as fancy a holding device as his, however, it won't get knocked off very easily either when I come close to a tree.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

I think you've hit upon the only thing I didn't test, Junkman ... I got hung up on a tree, I gaulled up a tree, I yanked out a couple of has-been trees, but, you're right, I didn't get "close" to a tree and, now, I fully expect my 50c bucket level dude to fall right off if I should, for some goofy reason, get close to a tree /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Cheers!

 

[Henro]

Homebrew2,

You sure are making a lot of neat modifications to your tractor! Especially that backhoe thumb you pictured in a different thread. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

<font color="blue">Do they offer a half way decent one as an option or just that gadget that fastened to the bucket on your machine? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif </font>

PineRidge,

I guess I am in the minority, but I have never wished for or wanted, or needed, anthing other than the little indicator that is on the bucket like in Homebrew2's photo.

It could be because there is almost nothing level where I live and I angle the bucket to move the dirt the way I want to. By looking at the indicator on the bucket I am able to easily determine the angle of the bucket bottom, whatever the angle might be.

The only shortcoming with that little level indicator on the bucket is that there needs to be one on each side, as sometimes it is not visable when watching the left side of the bucket, due to the hood being in the way.

I may rectify that by adding a second indicator on the left side of my bucket... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Henro how do you all use the stock level indicator? Do you sight down it like a gun site or what? I don't see an actual spirit level on it. Still can't understand how it's used.

Junk why not post a picture of your modification?

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">Henro how do you all use the stock level indicator? </font>

Mike,

The top horizontal flat piece is parallel to the bucket bottom. So one simply adjusts bucket angle to put the top surface of that little indicator at whatever position he wants the bucket bottom to be.

I suppose it would not be as precise as the end of a rod matching up with the end of a tube would be, but for my needs so far, it has worked just fine.

And, aside from not giving a perfect indication of what true level is, I think it probably is better a different way, because it gives the same accuracy at whatever angle the bucket is at.

Now don't ask me why this might be important! I'm not sure if it is. Just something I like, for some reason...

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think it probably is better a different way, because it gives the same accuracy at whatever angle the bucket is at.
)</font>

I never had a problem with it either. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of adding one to my 3130 because the rod indicator really only tells you what level is (if you mark it that way), but not the actual position of the bucket's bottom like you mention.
Of course, I suppose you could go buy a 10 pack of magic markers or electrical tape, color code your "favorite positions" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif on the rod and mount a handy reference chart on the FEL frame... nawwww /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

I agree Henro, mostly, about nothing being level at my place either, except!, my house pad and a couple of small lawns and some areas that are not level but are smooth and are extremely visible to me and guests. So, do to my lack of skill with the loader, I needed something better than the factory indicator to keep me from gouging the turf/soil. I wasn't sure if the rod-in-tube type gauge would be that helful or not so I didn't want to invest much time or jack in it ... but, it really is very helpful.

 

[PineRidge]

Well there you go a perfectly good explanation to my question concerning your level indicator. Mine uses a rod with a V bent in it. You can see it in the picture. The point of the V indicates a level bucket and it's pretty easy to use, but I guess it boils down to whatever works for the individual.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Update: I did figger out how to mangle it up. I was brushing my creek yesterday and sometime after the incident, I noticed the rod was mostly hanging out below the tube in kindof a kinked, spiral sort of a wad. In a semi-rage, I just yanked it the rest of the way out, straightened it out, mostly, and replaced it back in the tube ... worked as new since.

 

[Scrounger]

Can't you buy a plastic model like this that you can attach? I've seen some pics of it on TBN but I can't find them now. I'd like to intall one on the BX.

 

[Egon]

I'm with Henro on level gauge thingies on the bucket. That little flat piece does for my needs. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon