Self leveling loader. Yes or no?

[jmc]

My Case loader/backhoe has one but I disconnected it. If you take a partial scoop and want to move the dirt to the back of the bucket, you couldn't bang the full-curl mechanical stop hard enough to do that. The hydraulics dampened the curl too much. Still, it didn't take long to disconnect so it won't take long to reconnect, if necessary, and if I can remember how. If yours is free and you can disable it quickly, go for it.

 

[Richard]

I can't even comprehend that this is a question.

My book says get the self leveler.

I've used my neighbors JD ?? tractor and it does NOT have a self leveling loader (contrasted with my backhoe/loader which does)

I was carrying some "stuff" (some tree trunks of a small diameter) to the burn pile. Only way I could get the bucket level enough to hold them was to raise it.....no problem....but if I raised it much further, they'd slide off the back right onto the engine cover of his 1-year old highly UN-scratched green tractor. I do NOT want to be the first person to put a dent in the hood.

On my backhoe/loader, I can put it where I want and it will compensate (mechanical).

I would not want to be without it if I had a choice.

 

[TractorGuy]

I vote yes.

My backhoe loader has it and I like it. My JD doesn't and I have to be careful not to dump stuff out of the back of the bucket.

I can't think of any downside to having it.

 

[Richard]

Sometimes doing grading or dirt work. Other than that, all positive

Can you give more specific details as to what happens as a fact of having the self leveler?

I've graded enough dirt around here BUT, my ONLY experience has been with a self leveler....so I don't know/understand the details of what the difference is. If I were to do more grading, odds are I'd opt for my larger heavier machine than the tractor that doesn't self level so I'll never have any/much experience to note the differences.

 

[Bigpuddie]

Can you give more specific details as to what happens as a fact of having the self leveler?

I've graded enough dirt around here BUT, my ONLY experience has been with a self leveler....so I don't know/understand the details of what the difference is. If I were to do more grading, odds are I'd opt for my larger heavier machine than the tractor that doesn't self level so I'll never have any/much experience to note the differences.

Like if grading/pushing forward and coming to a dip where you have to raise up, you would have to adjust tilt to compensate. No big deal, just have to pay attention

 

[MossRoad]

My Case loader/backhoe has one but I disconnected it. If you take a partial scoop and want to move the dirt to the back of the bucket, you couldn't bang the full-curl mechanical stop hard enough to do that. The hydraulics dampened the curl too much. Still, it didn't take long to disconnect so it won't take long to reconnect, if necessary, and if I can remember how. If yours is free and you can disable it quickly, go for it.

Now that's something I do frequently.

Was your hydraulic or a mechanical linkage?

 

[MossRoad]

....but if I raised it much further, they'd slide off the back right onto the engine cover ....

...I have to be careful not to dump stuff out of the back of the bucket....

That's something I have to watch for constantly on my machine. I've had lap-fulls of dirt a couple of times. I got bars for my forks because of this.

 

[jmc]

Now that's something I do frequently.

Was your hydraulic or a mechanical linkage?

Probably hydraulic, with a mechanical linkage for position feedback . It kinda feathers out to its own curl limit. Might be awhile until I can confirm that.

 

[mikester]

My M59 has the ability to turn hydraulic self levelling on and off. Its a nice feature. Mechanical self levelling is nicer. Ive owned machines with and without MSL\HSL and my preference is to only buy machines that have self levelling. Another important feature is enough hydraulic flow to run multiple functions simultaneously. The inability to lift and dump or lower and curl is a deal killer for me.

When would a self-leveling loader be a detriment? Just curious, as I haven't run into that situation yet, but am always wanting to learn something.

Mechanical self levelling works the best in my books and there isnt I time I wish I didnt have it.

Hydraulic self levelling needs correction. I also find HSL a little slower when moving dirt and adds about a second to the cycle, but it is an absolute necessity if you are loading dump trucks with soil or moving pallets. If Im just spreading a pile and dont lift the bucket higher than the hood I turn HSL off for speed.

 

[LouNY]

The one disadvantage that I have found with the mechanical self leveling is that it does restrict the curl back amount,
when digging into material and wanting to curl the bucket back and acquire a heaping full bucket the limited curl does not let the front edge of the bucket roll back enogh,
that said it also does not spill over the back of the bucket when lifted all the way.
Loading feed out of an ag bag were it is desired to get a heaping full bucket at a minimal lift height is it's only downfall.
You can easily see the difference between the two if both are on the dealers lot,
just curl both buckets to full dump and full curl and see how the angles differ at different lift heights.