NEW DUAL AXIS SLOPE INDICATOR

[GregJ]

Rick,
A top mount would work, but I have been thinking. One of the problems is that the dual axis part is fixed to the regular tilt meter, requiring the whole unit to be plumb. What if you attached it to the side with an independent adjustment to vertical. This would allow the regular tilt meter to be angled toward the driver for easier viewing and if the dual axis part was mounted slightly higher it would give enough clearance to mount on an angled surface like my previous application. Just a thought. Thanks again for letting us be part of this development.

Greg

 

[markie61]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What if dual axis part was
mounted on top with a brace? Would this help? )</font>

I guess you would have to do the geometry to calculate how much of the range would be more visible by raising it the 1" or so to put it on top.

One other factor that is totally beyond your control is the operator's height. I am 6' 3" and even with it mounted on the highest point on my dash, I will always be sighting downward. Operators who have a canopy or FOPS would be able to mount theirs just above eye level if they mounted it there.

If the zero reading were relocated to where the 15 degree uphill reading is now, then the full range would be more visible. I'm not an engineer, but it would seem to requre: adding a bend to the "pointer", relocating the stickers, and angling the mounting bracket 15 degrees to allow for the extra travel.

For those who wanted to mount them HIGHER, the same parts could probably be assembled in reverse to compensate for not being able to see the read the upper readings.

Just ideas....

Hey, it stopped raining! I'll go out with the camera and get some pics.

Mark

 

[RBManufacturing]

Greg,Markie61,
I worked on the unit up til 11:00 last night. I will start on
a few changes today. Not sure how much I can do without
a new mold, ($4000.00+.) I do have two changes I can make
without a new mold that will help a lot. One has to do with
label. The other has to do with the way it mounts to
the other one. Please keep feed back coming. Thanks to all.
Rick /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[markie61]

For changing the mounting angle: how about a 10-15degree plastic wedge between the horizontal meter and the attaching bracket?

Attached is a picture from the seat.

Mark

 

[markie61]

Closeup attached.

Mark

 

[markie61]

Sideview mounting attached.

Mark

 

[GregJ]

Rick,
I like Markie's idea about the bend in the needle. I am only 5'9" and I had trouble with the downhill readings, so height of gauge is not as important as angle, in my opinion. The only problem with that would be anyone wanting to mount it overhead, like on a canopy. As far as the independent mount, how about two pieces of plastic mounted with stickyback on each component with slots in one and screws in the other. I know you have probably thought of all this,... but just in case.

Greg

 

[Anonymous Poster]

yes, definately up off of the end with a swivel mount would definately be a help.............thanks for YOU

 

[GSS]

Rick, I received mine and wanted to say thanks a lot!

Some feedback: I got it installed last week and liked the options for mounting it: included screws or adhesive (or both). I decided upon my location, removed the screws completely and used the adhesive to mount it to the lower guage bezel on my Cub. Once mounted, I worked on leveling it. Once I had it level front to back, I tightened the smaller allen screws (black) on the back for right-left level. I didn't tighten them too much, just enough to make it snug. However, when I tightened one of the larger bolts going though the face of the gauge (one was already tight), the extra torque must have popped the plastic around one of the smaller allen screws on the back, leaving only one holding the gauge to the mount. It's still maintaining level though and worked great while mowing. It was interesting to see actually how steep some stuff was that I always mow without a second thought.

Hindsight, I should've tightened the large allen screws before mounting it, thus eliminating the extra twist on the whole unit. Why was the screw loose from you guys? It wasn't involved in any of the leveling steps.

I agree with a few others' suggestions. Make the fore-aft gauge more visable. It's especially hard to see when mounted lower, like mine. Wouldn't be so bad if mounted on the hood, but that makes it open for damage from limbs, etc.

Let me know what more info I can provide you regarding my cracked gauge, ie pics, etc.

Thanks again.

- Gerald

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi GSS,
Working on a fix for better viewing. Please e-mail your
address, and I'll send out another back plate, etc. I may
not be here, and Brenda will need the address. Thanks, Rick
e-mail: RandBMfgInc@worldnet.att.net

 

[GSS]

Oh! Thanks a lot! I appreciate it.

 

[MJones]

Rick,

Sorry it has taken so long for me to give feedback, but I wanted to thoroughly test before providing. I agree with the others about the visibility of the forward-aft guage, but I can see the guage to 30 degrees and I don't think I will be travelling any hills with a greater slope than 30 degrees. The only problem I have had is my horizontal meter sticks from time-to-time like Markie61's. I have relocated the meter from the original mounting and it has helped somewhat as the new mounting location seems to receive less vibration. After changing the mounting location, I used my tractor for about 4 hours this AM to test the new mounting location, and all went well for approximately 3 hours, then the side-to-side meter stuck again. However, I didn't have time to look at it closely as I had to go to work.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[RBManufacturing]

Markie61, MJones,
On VERY RARE occasions, static can build up in the tube
causing the ball to stick or hesitate. The reason it works
early, is that moisture in the air is higher usually in the
morning. As air dries out, and combined with heavy
vibration, and under certain conditions, static can occur.
Moving the indicator to another location,(which changes the
harmonic frequency of vibration), will cure it. I have only had
one that we could not eliminate the problem with. If you want
to test to prove it is static for peace of mind, splash a little
water on it when it sticks. This will discharge the static.
It is very rare, but does happen. I went to a stainless steel
ball, and this has helped. A glass ball was even used on the
one we could not fix, and it still did not work. If possible,
try another location. This will fix it if you try different spots
until you get it. Sorry for any inconvenience. Rick

 

[MJones]

Rick,

Thanks for the explanation as to why the ball sticks. I will keep moving the location until I find a place that it doesn't stick. This makes good sense since where it is now mounted, it receives some heat from the engine which would have a drying effect. I will try to find a location that prevents the unit from receiving heat from the engine compartment.

Thanks Again!,

Mike

 

[markie61]

Static electricity could be it - it's almost like it is "magnetized" (like it is being attracted to the dash), rather than "flat-spotted". Since I already drilled holes, do you think running a ground wire might help?
Mark

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Markie,
I tried a ground wire once and it did not seem to help.
Worth a try. Each application is probably slightly different.
Sorry you drilled holes. At least the meter was free so you're
not out the cost. Let me know what you come up with.
I'll still try to make it right. Thanks, Rick

 

[MikePA]

Rick,

I had attached my original TiltMeter using the double sided tape and didn't want to remove the mounting bracket from the tractor. The bracket is the metal one with the two thumb screws and the interlocking ridges.

There was no way to attach the new, dual slope gauge to the old metal bracket. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So, I manage to remove the new fore-aft gauge from the TiltMeter by separating the plastic that attached it to the TiltMeter then gently prying the fore-aft gauge to separate the double sided tape. Fortunately, the tape stayed on the fore-aft gauge and I didn't break anything. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Here's what the fore-aft gauge looks like when attached to my old TiltMeter gauge. The TiltMeter is tilted back as far as it can go and still be readable. The top picture is taken from the tractor seat. I'm not going to leave it like this since there's not much contact area between the 2 gauges, I just wanted to show you what it looks like.

Hmmm, I'm not sure how this gonna work. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Mike,
I have shifted the label a little, and shifted the scale a little
also. Also making numbers bigger. Experimenting with a
very rigid mount to put the dual axis part on top of horizontal
one. All of this combined, and I think we will be where we
want to be. (or at least a lot better). One thing I might
mention though. I see you have your meter laid way back.
This throws your accuracy off. You can lay it back about 10-15 degrees and still be pretty accurate. However, the more
it is laid back from vertical the higher it will read on a slope.
Example: If the meter says 20 degrees, you will actually be
at a lot less. It should not be tilted back more that 10-15
degrees. Yours appears to be much more than that.
I hope to have new version done Sat. Or Monday.
I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks, Rick

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> It should not be tilted back more that 10-15 degrees. Yours appears to be much more than that. </font>
Rick, that's how far I had to tilt it back in order to be able to see the scale on the fore/aft gauge. I'll be removing the fore/aft gauge and getting the TiltMeter back to its proper angle. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Rch]

Rick, it seems with curved dashes etc that visibility and mounting problems keep cropping up. How about a rotating/tilting mirror incorporated that could be adjusted for visibility and therefore allow optimal level/ perpendicular mounting ?