RTV tilt and bucket angle

D

DigOrange

Member
I wanted to ask this first on the RTV area since most of you also have tractors with FEL (front end loaders).

I have been playing with an inclinometer that I can program that I think might have a couple uses:

1) Put on an RTV to give you a display and warning when you are reaching a maximum tilt angle
2) Put on a tractor FEL to show bucket tilt. Would show when bucket is level regardless of height. Could also be programmed to show you when the bucket is at a preset angle.

With the limited testing I have done it looks like I could build the entire kit for a couple hundred dollars.

Do you guys think this is worthwhile? If not, I will just build 2 - for my tractor and RTV.
 
Tell us more about your components.

I don't have one on either my tractor or RTV.

On the tractor, I'd want one at the seat, not on the FEL. I can see my bucket pretty easy and level is easy to get to. For digging and such, I don't know if I'd need a particular angle and just run the joystick to where it "feels" right. I would just use it for watching the tractor pitch on the hills.

I've considered getting one for the RTV but yours sounds fancier than I was considering. I believe a dual-axis meter is about $40-50 for a ball bearing type. What are you making?

BTW - has anyone figured out what the max tilt is on their RTV? On both the tractor and RTV, my pucker factor kicks in before I get close.
 
My bucket is tough to see and the level indicator pad is in a bad place as well. The inclinometer is very small and firmware programmable. I would mount it in a tough metal box that would then be mounted to the back of the bucket. Location is not important as you would level the bucket and then push a button on the dash unit that tells it to consider the current angle as level.

The dash unit would be small and I'm thinking 2 options:
1) An analog gauge with center being level and left of center cutting, right of center tilted up so you can see when you are approaching level.
2) A digital representation of the analog gauge with LEDs. I was thinking tricolor LEDs with something like 6 LEDs in a horizontal configuration. When level the left 3 light up green and the right 3 light up red. when cutting the left 3 would light up from right to left indicating you are getting further and further away from level. Same thing for when the bucket is going the opposite direction

Things I have considered but not decided on:
1) Wiring from bucket to console needs to be in armored sheathing and flexible enough to withstand the bucket and arm movement
2) The Bucket box needs to be real durable to withstand all the crazy things we do like tossing a chain around the bucket
3) The console needs to be small, weatherproof, and bright enough to use in direct sunlight

Please tell me what you think.
 
Quote from bczoom ~~~
<FONT color=#ff0000>BTW - has anyone figured out what the max tilt is on their RTV? On both the tractor and RTV, my pucker factor kicks in before I get close.</FONT>
</P>


<FONT color=#0000ff size=4>Way Ifigure it, if anybody really knows the " breaking point " , theymight thinkall of us should find out on our own, forhowlong" pucker factor " feeling really last & reality sets in before the ~~~~~~~ Ops !!! </FONT></P>
 
Unfortunately, I have found that the older I get the less fear I have especially on my tractor. So I make sure I wear the seat belt. Thats why I have been thinking more about an alarm that tells me I should be puckering. Maybe we should call it the PPA (Pre- Pucker Alarm).
 
Hmmm,

First, remind me which tractor model you have again? I'm "thinking" it's an L Series with something like a LA463 loader.

Does it have the little angle iron thing on the rear of the bucket for level?

What I'd be concerned about is looking at the dash instead of the bucket when operating. When I'm doing loader work, I'm looking at the bucket as much as possible for operating and getting proper angles. I'm honestly not sure if 6 LED's are going to give you the finess angles required. It may help with level but for digging, I have a feeling you're going to be looking at the bucket itself.

Regarding "Things I have considered but not decided on:
"
How big are the wires that will go from the bucket to the console? Would fuel line work? It's nice and thick and plenty flexible.
How big does the box need to be to hold the sensor(s)? The first thing that comes to mind is a 4" steel electrical box. It'll have the cover that could be removed, they come galvanized or stainless, they're not expensive...
How big is the console? How bright are the lights? What if the console was mounted more on the hood instead of the dash? I'm thinking of something that would look like a hood scoop with the opening pointing towards the driver. Everything goes in there and it's protected, even from the sun.

Do you already have all the components to make this?

Have you looked at the rod type indicators? They're good for finding level and give a "ballpark" on bucket angle.

Myself, I'd probably weld something to the bucket on the upper right corner (as you're looking at it from the drivers seat). With the SCV/joystick on the right, that's the side I'm looking at, especially if leaning a little.
 
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