Tilt Meters

[Anonymous Poster]

I know I'm probably just needing to get used to the feel of a new tractor (BX2200) but I've been creeped out a couple of times in spots where I used to go with my smaller garden tractor. Got me to thinking that perhaps a tilt meter would be a good idea.

I was about to order the one form the home page on this site (R & B Manufacturing) when I realized that I know nothing about tilt meters so maybe I should ask!

Is it any good? What does everyone else use? I REALLY don't want to tip my new tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Bird]

Robert, if you have any specific questions, call Rick at R&B; he'll be straight with you. I first put a tiltmeter on my B2710 that registered up to 50 degrees (model 7489C), which was OK but more than needed. Later I got the one that only goes to 25 degrees (model 25C) which I liked even better for side to side, but kept the 7489C and mounted it to show front to rear tilt.

 

[bellweather]

I considered a tilt meter, but then figured that since I only use my tractor on one piece of property I wouldn't get a lot of value out of it. Over time I learned the topography, and know the areas where I need to be extra cautious. It would have been nice to rent one for a week just to kind of map out the property and validate my slope guesstimations. If I see one on ebay, I might go for it.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Robert, if you have any specific questions, call Rick at R&B; he'll be straight with you. I first put a tiltmeter on my B2710 that registered up to 50 degrees (model 7489C), which was OK but more than needed. Later I got the one that only goes to 25 degrees (model 25C) which I liked even better for side to side, but kept the 7489C and mounted it to show front to rear tilt. )</font>

Thanks, that's good to know. After I posted this I figured out how to search the archives as well and found a few threads from a year or two ago about tilt meters. Most of them involved Rick and no one had anything bad to say so I ordered the 25C for side to side. I view it as a tool to help me learn my tractor.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Over time I learned the topography, and know the areas where I need to be extra cautious.)</font>

I want it to help me learn more safely about my property vs. the capabilities of the new tractor.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It would have been nice to rent one for a week just to kind of map out the property and validate my slope guesstimations. )</font>

The one I bought was $35 so I'm not really sure about renting one. EBay might be a way to go, though.

 

[riptides]

Bird,

Where did you mount your meter on your 2710?

Curious,

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[chrisjbell]

I'm a big fan of tiltmeters. I have one on my 'Bota and I also put one on my JD lawn tractor. You're right about the way the tractors feel - the Kubota gets scary at about 20 degrees and I've never gone past 30 degrees on it. The JD goes to 30 degrees without too much fear, although I don't think I've gone beyond that.

I suspect that anything beyond about 20 degrees on a larger tractor would qualify as "quite dangerous", but that a lawn tractor can go to about 30 without falling into that category.

For me it is worth the relatively low price. Even on places that I have tractored before on my place I find that things change from year to year as I make changes to the place and as mother nature does her work. Its especially valuable where low spots develop - I've got hills all over and even a slight change in the landscape can really affect how much I tilt.

Bird is a better person to ask, but for what it is worth I mounted my meters on the hood right in front of the instrument panel on both tractors. One hole to hold the bracket is all it takes. That puts the meter right in front of me where I can see it all the time. Just make sure you don't put it in the way of opening the hood or too close to the fuel filler (if applicable).

 

[Bird]

Mike, I had an insulated steel canopy on my B2710, so I mounted the side to side tilt meter to the center of the frame under the front of the canopy. And I mounted the front to rear one on the canopy frame on the right side. Not the best picture in the world attached, but it shows the two tiltmeters with my rear view mirror between them and the back of my front work light.

But if you don't have a canopy to mount the tiltmeter to, some of the other guys have mounted theirs on the cross bar of the FEL, on the top of the hood, on the uprights for the FEL, etc. Rick has a variety of mounting methods and brackets.

 

[MarkV]

Rick's, mounting system now has a double stick tape, unless he has change after mine came, and it has worked very well for me. To be honest I figured I would use it for a while and then look for a place to bolt mount it but there hasn't been a need to.

I haven't seen Rick on the forum for a while. Hope he is just to busy making tiltmeters.

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

All of my property is on a hillside so I put a tilt meter on my BX2200. I mounted it on the grill guard so it is always in clear view.