Tips for FEL level indicator?

[Jaybr]

Anyone got any tips to using the level indicator on the KL130 FEL? I have yet to figure out what good it is as it doesn't really help me determine when the bucket is level, or I just haven't figured it out yet.

 

[Dmace]

If it's the same as the one on my KL120 FEL, then when the solid rod is flush with the end of the tube it rides in, the bucket is level. Simple, yet I don't know how I could work so well without it.

 

[Jaybr]

Sounds the same.

So is that with the bucket at ground level? Obviosly without moving the bucket itself, it will only be level at one point in the arm swing.

 

[Highbeam]

The level indicator rod acts independently of the loader arms. It follows the curl function of the bucket only. I found on teh KL130 that I need about an inch of rod sticking out to be level. I use mine alot when skimming off a layer of dirt or entering into a pile.

 

[Jaybr]

The level indicator rod acts independently of the loader arms. It follows the curl function of the bucket only.

I got that, but with the bucket level at ground level, the bucket will tilt back when the I move the arms up. The arms move in an arc, not strait up and down, which adjust the angle of the bucket without ever moving it.

Having the rod flush with the tube when the bucket is level and sitting on the ground would make sense, just not sure that's the case with mine.

I guess I just need to play with it and figure out where the rod is at level at various lift heights?

 

[bncsauve]

I cut mine off to be flush with the end of the tube when the bucket is level. It helps me out quite a bit that way. Just make sure to mark flush on the rod and then cyle the bucket all the way dumped to make sure it is still engaged in the tube. Otherwise it will fall out of the guide tube.

 

[DK35vince]

So is that with the bucket at ground level? Obviosly without moving the bucket itself, it will only be level at one point in the arm swing.

Thats why the level indicator is on there, to let you know when the bucket is level when on the ground. (its not meant to tell you level when the loader is up).

 

[johnk]

If the rod is sticking out a little while the bucket is level draw a ring around the rod with a magic marker right above the tube instead of cutting the rod. When the black circle meets the tube you're level...

 

[RexB]

I got that, but with the bucket level at ground level, the bucket will tilt back when the I move the arms up. The arms move in an arc, not strait up and down, which adjust the angle of the bucket without ever moving it.

Having the rod flush with the tube when the bucket is level and sitting on the ground would make sense, just not sure that's the case with mine.

I guess I just need to play with it and figure out where the rod is at level at various lift heights?

Yes, and that level indicator had me going for a minute too -- I didn't like its rattle and was adding a washer to tighten it up, looked at the arm-movement-joints, and saw it had to float free or get twisted into a pretzel when using the loader.

My stick is flush with the tube when the bucket is level on the ground, didn't have to cut it. (magic marker would soon get rained and dirted off the zinced tube, or my eyes can't see that thin line anymore lol -- safety orange paint spray brighter.)

 

[srusse]

Painted the tip (one inch) black...but it rubbed off in less than a week. After a while, I got use to the right amount showing on level surface.... and one inch is about what mine is.

 

[Egon]

After some seat time the gray cells take over and you can discard the indicator as looking at it will only interfere with the loader operation!

 

[ha704]

I pushed a short piece of rubber hose over the tube to extend it until it lined up with the end of the rod with the bucket level.

 

[Steverino]

Take a file and cut a grove around the rod where the level indication should be. Then paint or use a marker and the indication should be protected from rubbing off.

 

[LBrown59]

If the rod is sticking out a little while the bucket is level draw a ring around the rod with a magic marker right above the tube instead of cutting the rod. When the black circle meets the tube you're level...

Good Idea.
Like it better than sawing off the rod.

 

[fastpat]

Take a file and cut a grove around the rod where the level indication should be. Then paint or use a marker and the indication should be protected from rubbing off.

You really only need to groove the rod partially, just the portion of the rod visible from the tractor seat, which I think is a bit less than half.

But as someone else mentioned, with experience, most will learn how much rod indicates a level bucket.