Bucket Leve Indicator

[RoySC]

I have an older backhoe with a damaged bucket level indicator. The rod was missing and the tube bent....so I bought a piece of 6ft all thread (1/8 inch thick) for the rod and straightened out the tube and assembled. With the buck at ground and level, I maked the rod in relation to the end of the tube for my level reference but when I raise the bucket it's not at level...kind of close but not the same, even though my indicator mark shows level. Is this expected or does my rod / tube rig still have issues.

Thanks!

 

[Lloyd In South Carolina]

Hi Roy! I have limited experience with these, (about 5 loaders) considering how many different variations there have been. However they are most all like that, as you lift the loader the geometry changes usualy causing the bucket to tip back. If the machine is not working on level ground, you need to use your gauge as a reference and compensate some for the grade your on.

The more you do of this, the easier it will become, you start to "feel" where the bucket is.

Lloyd

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Based on my little experience with that item, you're probably getting as good as it gets.
Different issue, but related- I actually liked my old tractor/backhoe/loader with non-self leveling bucket better than my current one with. When I had the bucket stuffed full, as I raised the boom, the bucket continuously curled back more, so there was no drizzle.

 

[Anonymous-0]

It would help to know which kind of backhoe. Some machines like Case use hydraulic self levelling so the bucket hydraulically tilts forward as you lift. This is so you don't dump the load on yourself. Other machines use mechanical self levelling so it stays the same. If it's level at ground level is the most important though. Dave

 

[AJ.]

That will happen because the bucket is now in a different position when raised that when it was on the ground in relation to the loader frame,look at the bucket with it flat on the ground,then raise and you will see that it alters the angle as it goes up,so it normal.
AJ

 

[scotc]

Like 135 said, at ground level is where you need it most. What kind of machine is this on? The old Fords we had had a stick and tube but I found it just as easy to look at the top of the bucket, there was a flat spot parallel to the bucket floor. I think the 580SM Case does, too. Wear in the bucket pins and in the other boom pins on a mechanical-leveling bucket like the old Fords had could even throw off your mark.