Loader Self Leveling Loader (aftermarket)

FastEddieR · Apr 27, 2018

Hi Y'all!

I've been lurking this forum for awhile and love the advice and tips.
My tractor is a Branson 4720H 2016 model. I have been trying to find a self leveling kit for my BL25 FEL. It's a PITA to load and stack round bales while constantly adjusting the bucket angle, also I have forks for the bucket and that is also a PITA to lift pallets much over 6' high without bouncing or dumping them.
I searched the web and this forum for an aftermarket kit for a Branson - either I'm not using the correct search terms OR there isn't one available. I don't think I care too much whether it's mechanical or hydraulic although I'd think the mechanical is cheaper.
My dealer looked at me with a blank stare when I mentioned it, so I think there's no help there

Any ideas from out in interweb-land?

ptsg · Apr 27, 2018

I've never heard of something like that, since converting to a self leveling loader would require several changes in the loader structure and operation.

Your best choice is probably get a new self leveling loader from Branson to replace the one you have.

Or if you have the skills, tools and time, fabricate something to suit your needs. Either hydraulic or mechanical. Hydraulic seems easier to do since you pretty much had to attach 2 hydraulic cylinders above the lift cylinders and do the math to get it working correctly.

kthompson · Apr 27, 2018

I have a JD and replaced the standard fel with self leveling and really like it much much more. Mine is mechanical self leveling and think it would be a lot to have changed the std fel to a self leveling. No idea on a hyd self leveling but do know there are at least some out there. I would first search for hyd self leveling unit and see if you can figure out how there work and see if that is reasonable alteration to your unit or if you need to buy new. One thing that is a negative on my mechanical self leveling is there is added height.

countrybumpkin · Apr 27, 2018

A guy in the LS forum converted his to mechanical self leveling. May search and find it see if that would be something that would work.

If your wanting a hydraulic style, do a search for self leveling loader valves in google.

Here is one from Eaton.

http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@eaton/@hyd/documents/content/pll_2013.pdf

mddorange · Apr 28, 2018

:welcome:
To the forum FastEddieR. We are glad that you finally joined.

Where are you located and what are you raising besides dust?

FastEddieR · Apr 28, 2018

mddorange said:
:welcome:
To the forum FastEddieR. We are glad that you finally joined.

Where are you located and what are you raising besides dust?

Located in Seminole County, Oklahoma. We raise horses, which really means that we feed them, doctor them, clean up their poop, and cater to their whims.

FastEddieR · Apr 28, 2018

countrybumpkin said:
A guy in the LS forum converted his to mechanical self leveling. May search and find it see if that would be something that would work.

If your wanting a hydraulic style, do a search for self leveling loader valves in google.

Here is one from Eaton.

http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@eaton/@hyd/documents/content/pll_2013.pdf

This is what I'm thinking! Now to find one and install. Thanks countrybumpkin

countrybumpkin · Apr 28, 2018

Keep us posted on this, if it works with little effort I may do this too.

FastEddieR · Apr 28, 2018

Well, don't hold your breath on the upgrade!

I'm not gonna.
It won't even become nearly a priority until hay season. Hopefully I can find the time before then...

mddorange · Apr 28, 2018

FastEddieR said:
Located in Seminole County, Oklahoma. We raise horses, which really means that we feed them, doctor them, clean up their poop, and cater to their whims.

I know exactly what you mean. That is why we got rid of most of our's and why I am taking out 4 stalls in the barn. Doctoring them pretty much put us in the poor house.

Now our donkeys are easy compared to horses.

Reg · Apr 28, 2018

The arms on my Humpolec loader kinda/sorta suggest that there was an option to fit different geometry, i.e. something that would keep the bucket at a constant angle to horizontal.
I've looked at it many times with the "self leveling" thought, but never got around to sketching it up in a CAD program.

Basically a parallelogram should do it and I think I have seen that on a large('ish) JD.

Hombre · May 2, 2018

Interesting stuff. I did all the "googling" I could to find out about that Eaton valve. Not much, couldn't find a price anywhere OR even one for sale. Went down to the local (only) farm equipment repair shop and talked to him about it. Said he'd never heard of it or seen a system that would do what this valve (if I read correctly) does. Said he would do some research on it and thanked me for bringing it to his attention as he was also interested for his own tractor use. Said he'd give me a call when he had more info. as to cost and actual installation. I'll try to remember to update here if and when JP calls me.

ericm979 · May 2, 2018

There are some Kubota models that have a hydraulic self-levelling option. They call it "spill guard".

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/389375-self-leveling-valve-kubota-la.html

bcp · May 2, 2018

mddorange said:
I know exactly what you mean. That is why we got rid of most of our's and why I am taking out 4 stalls in the barn. Doctoring them pretty much put us in the poor house.

Now our donkeys are easy compared to horses.

Bruce

LouNY · May 2, 2018

As far as self leveling goes the Branson 8050 with the BL50 loader is self leveling.
Many of the New Holland and IH can be ordered with or without self leveling loaders,
if you find one on a lot you could see how the mounts and arms are configured.
The only hydraulic self levers that operated where on large loaders and you could
actually feel the hydraulics fight you if you tried overriding it.

FastEddieR · May 3, 2018

Hombre said:
Interesting stuff. I did all the "googling" I could to find out about that Eaton valve. Not much, couldn't find a price anywhere OR even one for sale. Went down to the local (only) farm equipment repair shop and talked to him about it. Said he'd never heard of it or seen a system that would do what this valve (if I read correctly) does. Said he would do some research on it and thanked me for bringing it to his attention as he was also interested for his own tractor use. Said he'd give me a call when he had more info. as to cost and actual installation. I'll try to remember to update here if and when JP calls me.

I went to the eaton hydraulics site, clicked find distributors, and searched the Oklahoma area. Two dealers popped up in the OKC area - I found the self leveling valves run a bit over $1100 or so, not sure if they have them in stock or not and didn't call the dealer. But, they do exist somewhere and are pretty expensive...

ovrszd · May 3, 2018

My Kubota is not self leveling.

My Ford TLB is mechanical self leveling.

If I was constantly using forks or loading hay I'd pay whatever it cost to get it.

Hombre · May 3, 2018

ovrszd said:
My Kubota is not self leveling.

My Ford TLB is mechanical self leveling.

If I was constantly using forks or loading hay I'd pay whatever it cost to get it.

Well I use my forks quite a bit and load and unload a lot of hay for my horses, and whereas I think a self leveling FEL would be a great asset, at 1100 bucks just for the valve, I think I'll just get better acquainted with my joystick.

4570Man · May 3, 2018

How about more practice on the stick? I can raise my loader up and down at full speed while keeping the forks pretty much level. No need to stop lifting and curl and then continue lifting.