Water level on a box blade ???

[JRP]

Has anyone tried a water level along the back of their box blade?

I figure a 9' piece of 1/2" clear (tygon) vinyl tubing across the back of a 6' blade, with 18" white angle iron ends stands on the blade corners, and blue food coloring would be a real easy way to see if the blade is level.

One would use a vial level and get the blade level, then mark both angles at the water line. (filled to 9" from the blade top.)

It would let someone trim the T-N-T real easy. Just watch one corner and keep the water line at the mark. With a ruler scale and some math one could even use the level to set a grade.

Do you think it would work?

Jrpoux


P.S. I ordered an 7-11 Extreme Gulp cup, but the mahnet company has a lot of curved magent models. Is there one post that tells the whole instructions for a Chalkley cup?

 

[Harv]

Let us know how the water level works out. Maybe our friends at R&B Manufacturing might start making jumbo tiltmeters. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As for the Chalkley Cup, I expounded my most detailed description in this message. A re-post of the accompanying picture is here.

The particular magnets I used I believe are no longer available through ForceField, but I bet they have others that will do the job. I would recommend some fairly powerful ones, but I'm a strong believer in overkill. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Others, including TonyC have also created their own versions, and of course Mark Chalkley himself posted the original concept. As I recall, the hard disk magnet idea came from Scruffy.

 

[bgott]

I went to the Richey Bros. auction here in Houston the other day. In between the quarter million dollar D9s they had a little D4 with a laser level mounted on the blade. I think that with a little work it would fit on a box blade.

 

[GlueGuy]

Actually, I think I can get done what I need with the R&B tiltmeter that I just installed this week. If the meter shows the tractor is level, then I just flatten out the T&T to keep it level, or add/subtract a little on the T&T to add/remove a grade.

However, having another level on the T&T would surely help.

The GlueGuy

 

[dummy]

Should work very well. Were you thinking about adding some degreed increments also?

 

[hayden]

It works to set the absolute level of the blade, but I think there are cases where it's the relative level of the blade verse the tractor that you want to know. For example, let's say you are grading a slope and you want to increase (or decrease) the slope. Your tractor sitting on the existing slope will have some tilt, but you want the blade tilted more or less to change the slope from what it currently is. In this case, I think you need to set the blade angle relative to the tractor angle.

If you have tilt gauges on both the tractor and implement then you could just set the angle so one is tilted more than the other. Ideally you would have a gauge that says the blade is tilted N degrees more or less than the tractor.

Peter

 

[JRP]

I was sort of thinking of units like inches per foot of slope, instead of degrees.

Well, the water level would be $10 instead of a $4000 laser system. Sometime when I get a piece of tubing I'll rig something upp and repost if it works well.

Thanks

JRPoux

 

[gordon]

I think you might be on to something here. Simple is better, if you do go through with it please let us know of the outcome. A great idea. Are you reading this Rick of tiltmeter??? Sure hope so.

Gordon

 

[MikePA]

I know there are other methods, e.g., sliding rod, but it'd be nice to have a tilt meter on the FEL as well.

 

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>I know there are other methods, e.g., sliding rod, but it'd be nice to have a tilt meter on the FEL as well.</font color=blue>

When I got the tiltmeter from R&B, Rick discussed with me the pros & cons of an electronic level meter for the FEL. He was trying to gauge the demand for such a device. He thought he could do it for < $100. I couldn't answer him with "conviction", because my main concern would be how "robust" such a unit would/could be. Knowing how much I knock my FEL around, I have a hard time imagining how an electronic device might function in such conditions. Rick seemed to think he had a winnng design. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with.

The GlueGuy

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Gordon,
I did not read the post until I was tipped off it was there.
I have a finished fel level that works by wireless radio
signal that is being tested now. I have the circuit board of
an identical model mounted on my air compressor now. It
has more vibration than an 18 wheeler with square tires.
Were talking VIBRATION!!! been on there 10 days so far,
and still works good. Should have a report soon on the proto-
type that is being field tested soon. I expect to have to make
some changes. Maybe not. Time will tell. The signal for the
wireless system is good for 150 + ft. Any suggestions from
you guys will help. Hey, can someone tip me off when
there is posts here regarding me ??? Unless its from a jealous
husband. Just tell them I left town. Just kiddin. Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing
http://www.tiltmeter.com
(816)587-9814

 

[TerryinMD]

Hey Rick,

Need any beta testers for the fel meter.

Terry

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Terry,
I only have the one proto-type at the moment.
I will be building a few more soon, if the first one works out.
Love to have you test then. Thanks, Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing
http://www.tiltmeter.com
(816)587-9814

 

[TerryinMD]

I would be honored to be a tester.

Terry