making a kubota bucket level indicator

[@mackz44]

Nice job Dave. My only suggestion would be to thread the top of your indicator rod and screw on a knob so you don't poke out your eye when working around the front of your tractor.

[@daveknowshow]

that's a great idea! as goofy as I can be I can see me doing just that!

[@daveknowshow]

maybe a tennis ball even.

[@danloftus3273]

Thanks Dave, great video. Wish I had a neighbor like you! The beam clamp is a great idea!

[@TheStephenmonroe]

1st I want to thank you for this video. I looked into a rattle can of Kubota orange in El Paso Tx about a year ago and they said $30 per can! I said thank you for your time and left. Found a close match at Walmart for about $4.

[@daveknowshow]

yes that Kubota paint is like liquid gold.

[@fergusonhr]

Awesome video, great idea...I like the bend you added...my OCD was kicking in because I didnt get to see if you ever tightend the upper beem clamp...lol

[@daveknowshow]

beam clamp is tight no worries, I feel ya pain brotha.

[@rgr3371]

Well thought out Dave, gonna make one for my tractor after watching your video

[@daveknowshow]

cool would love to see it!

[@joed.4008]

I'll soon be a tractor owner myself and see this is as a very practical and easy-to-do first addition. That bend gives it a very professional look. Excellent project !! Thanks... ☺

[@daveknowshow]

you can also just put one bend at around 45 degrees and set the adjustment so when its at the bend the bucket is level. that method actually works better. the saddle bend in this video leaves to much sticking up that gets caught on tree limbs and so forth. if I did it over I'd use one bend of about 45 degrees.

[@joed.4008]

Much appreciated ... thanks !!

[@daveknowshow]

looking forward to seeing a video of your smiling face when you take delivery of your tractor! its an exciting day! a little nervous and happy all at the same time. make sure and check out some of my other helpful videos on the tractor and how to set up various implements. I subscribed to your channel so I can see that video of you on delivery day!

[@joed.4008]

Thanks Dave .. I don't know about a video but I'll have a pic or two for sure !! Kioti had a great deal that expired Sept.30th...doubled warranties, free 5 year maintenance, discounted prices and excellent financing options. I planned to get a CS2510 only to find out Friday the cab height (83½") is the same as the opening into my garage (7' door). My garage is the max. size allowed for my lot so another building/enclosure is a no-can-do. The Kioti dealer here doesn't offer a different cab. I don't know why it has to be that high, the back doesn't even come off so you can't use a backhoe with the cab on? Looks like that's gonna be the deal breaker for me. I stopped by Kubota Friday afternoon and it turns out the cab for the new BX2680 (non-backhoe version) is only 77" high and even after a rooftop LED beacon there's still room to spare. It has other nice features that I really like as well. I still want the same package .. heated cab, FEL, and front snow blower. Although the BX is quite a bit more expensive, thoughts of leaving a $30k Kioti parked unattended and exposed in my yard doesn't exactly give me the warm 'n fuzzies. I'm hoping Kubota can work up a good payment plan. I've never had a tractor before but all things considered, it looks like the BX might be a better choice for me. I'll know more Monday... ☺

[@daveknowshow]

I'd be raising the garage roof a few inches the heck with who ever dont like it. life is to short to not enjoy what you want when you want it. I'd also let the wife or Girl friend shoot some video and upload it to your youtube channel. you will be surprised how much you will enjoy going back and reliving the excitement of that day with a video to remember it. Kioti make a nice tractor the Bx is a really nice tractor as well. make sure you get all the three point stuff included like lower link arms and top link etc etc.

[@laurijorgenson6683]

I think you are so clever. Love your videos.

[@daveknowshow]

thank you very much. I do enjoy making videos and helping others find solutions to problems.

[@ki4ksy]

These are some great videos you are making.

[@Bamacountry88]

Awesome job..I will be making one for my tractor this weekend.

[@daveknowshow]

it was a fun project to do and really helps you learn where level is with the bucket. I like reference points for level and such as can be seen in many of my videos I build indicators for various things like three point top link and three point tilt as well. you can see those in some of my other videos.

[@gordbaker896]

Great installation. You could always purchase the Galvanized Level Rod with the bend in it from a New Holland Tractor Dealer. Similar application. A 90°angle bend at the bottom end when you establish level and drill thru the cylinder bracket, couple washers and cotter keys and done. 3/8" SS tubing would also do the trick. No welding.

[@daveknowshow]

Gord Baker thanks for the tips

[@habitatplace9473]

Great video!! Good idea and saves a lot of guess working 👍

[@daveknowshow]

well worth having the level indicator

[@100PercentOS2]

I have a Terramite t5C that I'm wanting to make a front bucket leveler for. Though my leveler idea is nothing like yours and will look totally different, this is the first one I think will actually work since I'm heavily into electronics. The shape of my bucket is such that I will be able to use this device with as few as parts as possible. I've already ordered one part, but will have to go to the Radio Shack and our local hardware for the rest of the parts. I have worked on several leveler ideas myself never being satisfied until your video gave me an awesome idea for what I got going now. So the way my idea works is my bucket will always be level regardless of arm height and ground level as indicate my the device I'm about to build and I'm really looking forward to moving this along.Though I understood what was going on in your video, your presentation was well done and for many new to this sort of thing the process needed to be explained. So keep up the good work.

[@daveknowshow]

thanks and best of luck with your adventure. I hope you make a video to show how it all works.

[@100PercentOS2]

Thank your for the kind words. I can make a video and post it. But if I see potential in it I may be able to market it and I don't want to give away my secrets just yet. Right now I'm carefully picking out my components making sure everything will fit in a small of space as I can use. I have 2 components already and need to get 4 more. Than I will be able to assemble according to my schematic. I think my device can be used on any loader without a leveler. I was in the process of building one like yours and lost interest even though I have all of the parts to do this. But, your leveler will work just fine and will probably outlast your tractor, LOL. The reason I got into electronics like I did is because my brother nagged me until he got me to become an Amateur Radio Operator in 1979 where I upgraded several times until I became an Advance Class operator. So as it goes, not only did I have to know radio theory but had to know about electronics as well even building some of my own test equipment and a stun gun.

[@daveknowshow]

***** very cool. it sounds like your system will be level with mother earth like many self leveling loaders are on many high end tractors. that's good for many applications where you want to create level ground to mother earth. not so friendly when you,re just trying to level off bumpy areas to bring them level to the plain of the tractor which could be traveling uphill or downhill and not necessarily level to mother earth. my system is primitive a best and brings level to the plain of the tractor and not level to mother earth or "true level". it will be interesting to see yours work. if you search youtube self leveling bucket loader you will see all kinds I'm sure. look forward to seeing your video.

[@100PercentOS2]

Appreciate your input. I didn't realize self levelers have already been invented LOL. And I checked this out on a backhoe loader. But, mine will have enough of a difference to go ahead and pursue my project. I'm looking forward to building it as soon as I get all of my parts. For now it is a waiting game. I see where yours is more versatile than mine. I won't be using mine to go up and down hills which would be totally worthless. But, I can continue to work on an electronic version that would put the bucket level with any angled surface and I probably will since you have educated me more. I just love to work with electronics to see how I can make the best use of them and in this case, a possible modification. Thanks Dave.

[@daveknowshow]

***** sure thing glad to help with suggestions look forward to seeing it.

[@hectorglover6392]

You can get Kubota Orange at the Tractor Supply Company for under $5.00 bucks! I used it and it matched perfectly! Nice video and very well explained. Thanks!

[@daveknowshow]

thanks for the 411, I looked at my local tsc but they did not have it. perhaps it was out of stock at the time. I will check again thanks

[@MsTractorguy]

The bend in the rod is a brilliant idea honestly I thought it was a stupid video until I saw that, because all the bucket indicators are just match the top of the rod with the pipe which is inaccurate at best, the bend made perfect sense though

[@daveknowshow]

MsTractorguy I try to save the best for last! that little "saddle bend " makes it all work perfectly! you can learn to make saddle bends when running electrical conduit. its bend we use to go around things that end up in our way while running electrical conduit. glad you found that part worth the time to view the video and I deeply appreciate your honest comment and I thank you for watching my video. I have a few other tractor related video you may or may not find interesting. again thanks!

[@MsTractorguy]

i thought that everything you did was good work, just not worth the time but i kept watching because i figured there would be something good, and there was, i think that you should try to sell that idea to manufacturers because as you probably already know, the rod in the pipe always gets bent or rusts so much that it eventually quits working, where as your system i can not see any issues occurring in the future with it

[@jamesharless5357]

Nice job!

[@daveknowshow]

these level indicators sure do help. thanks for watching and commenting.

[@hakimmic]

The way I did it on my loader is I mounted the outer tube with a bracket to the loader arm.( The tube must be long enough to guide the rod with out it coming out as the bucket is curled) And the rod from the bucket slides through the tube and is adjusted so when the bucket is level the rod is also level with the top of the tube. Hope this helps.

[@jjmorrissiey]

Nice.

[@daveknowshow]

thanks works great!

[@shiny308]

YEAH, the green plate on the right side of the top of the bucket is my level indicator on my BX25. BUT, the bend in the rod is BRILLIANT!!!!

[@ktownkicks]

Dave, great video. I was trying to find an easier way to make the swivel you have attached to the bucket, I thought about tie rods on lawn and garden tractors. I think they would work, what is your input? They might be to tight to swivel though. If you go to eBay and type in mtd tie rod ends you will see what I'm thinking of making my leveler with.

[@daveknowshow]

I agree a tie rod would likely work very well. wish I had thought of that. let me know how it turns out.

[@ke6bnl]

I did not know that the right angle piece on the bucket was a level indicator, I was going to weld another one on the other side for what I thought was support.

[@daveknowshow]

I guess another one on the other side would help to see it on both side. with that said the entire flat part of the top of the bucket can be used as the level indicator.

[@johnrobinson2074]

morning my 1996 Kubota m5400 bucket will curl down slowly over time. so if I have the bucket curled up ill notice that it will curl downward over time. any suggestion?

[@daveknowshow]

either your control valve for the loader needs rebuilding or the cylinder itself needs rebuilding or both. you can see an exploded view of the internal parts at messicks dot com. it is less expensive to rebuild those items than to buy replacements.

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

nice job, good idea

[@daveknowshow]

thank you! i appreciate you watching my video and the comments and thumbs up really help my channel. spending time with the tractor is always a good time.

[@shiny308]

Also, if your bucket doesn't have the green sticker ( he has the plate on his bucket... 11 minute into the video, his right knee is inches away...) on the plate, you can weld on on... Just park on level ground. Place the bucket level. Then weld a small pate parallel with the flat cutting edge of the bucket, in eye sight, and you're done. BUT the bend in the rod is BRILLIANT!!!

[@dogbyte555]

I am very familiar with beam clamps. Are you an electrician too?

[@TractorTech]

Nice job. I think the Kubota rattle cans are $8-10 here.

[@daveknowshow]

they were like 15 bucks here which was to much for my wallet. lol

[@luxfair]

Perfect!

[@daveknowshow]

@@luxfair thanks

[@hardchines]

thank you, I too will fallow your lead

[@daveknowshow]

thanks for dropping by my channel I hope you find many helpful tractor related videos on my channel.

[@ScottTheMarine]

Dave, I'm easily 6'2" and that level indicator on the bucket is useless. You'd have to be 7-8' to see that thing from the seat. Haha. How did you bend your rod for the level notch?

[@daveknowshow]

ha ha lol I used a small metal bender from harbor freight to bend it. honestly if I did it over again I'd just bend 1 single bend the same angel as the loader arm about 45 degrees I think it may be. this way once the corner of that bend was in the eye bolt it would be level.

[@Rickugg]

This is a great idea....But my Dealer told me do not weld or drill holes in my Kubota while it's under Warranty. It will kill Warranty. No tool box added to my tractor. Call your Dealer. He did not tell that when you cut pipe with pipe cutter like he did it leaves an edge on inside of pipe thats like a knife.

[@daveknowshow]

Thank you so much for the comment and for watching. I did say " you would not cut pipe with a pipe cutter if you ran electric wires in it. knock this sharp edge off " so yeah I did mention the sharp edge. I used beam clamps to not have to drill a hole where it was critical not to drill a hole. where I did drill a hole with the self tapping screw is not a stress point. of course if you're concerned about the warranty of your "LOADER BUCKET" then don't drill it. the screw hole in the bucket would only affect the warranty on the bucket NOT the entire tractor as the front end loader is a separate attachment from the actual tractor. you should never drill holes in your R.O.P.S system and that is likely the main reason he mentioned it. use U bolts to attach a tool box as needed. thanks again for watching and for a great comment!

[@Rickugg]

I now think I was looking at the R.O.P.S. when I said drill and tap for small tool box. I guess I did not hear you say sharp edge, my bad. I grabbed a 4 inch steel pipe once, only once. My friend got a 25 H.P. John Deere when I got my 2370 3 years ago. The drive off drive on deck is junk. He had a tire and a hose blow.

[@daveknowshow]

yes those sharp edges can hurt. on a four inch pipe you can get a lot of fingers in there and being heavy it will cut you good. not so much on a half inch conduit although I would not stick my finger in there either even after removing the sharp edge. I use to have a JD myself they are nice tractors, of course I love all tractors no matter what color they are. they all have good points and not so good points. each has its own limitations. they are like woman if that start acting up get another one! lol jkin of course.

[@busterlimoge4005]

Can anyone share with me how to straighten out the bucket on my B21. Somehow I torked it from level. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP

[@daveknowshow]

sorry to hear this. I wish I knew what to tell you that is an exact fix. an automotive frame straightening shop may have a way to straighten it. generally you need to pull it in the other direction slightly past straight and when pressure is released it will be close to straight. you need to check and see if its the loader frame and arms that got bent or if its the actual bucket itself. bucket replacement may be a better fix if its just the bucket. the frame shop may be able to straighten the loader frame by chaining it down to the frame straightening jig and applying hydraulic pressure or use of a chain hoist to pull it straight and then slightly past straight. I would fine a top notch frame shop that knows what they are doing. hopefully you have insurance on it which may cover this.

[@dogbyte555]

Cool, I am an Industrial Electrician in a factory.

[@jamesk0ua]

Rustoleum has a color that is extremely close. It is called "Lobster Red" It isn't red, it is Kubota orange. or very very close. Wal-Mart has it in rattle cans

[@daveknowshow]

thanks a million! I have a used road blade that needs painting real bad! now if the temp would just warm up enough to paint!

[@BourneAccident]

I had thought that piece of angle iron mounted on the top right side of the bucket was sufficient to be a level indicator.

[@daveknowshow]

it does ok but having this I feel is a lot better and easier to see. kubota actually sells a similar design to what I made. so it must be a good idea.

The only problem with how you installed that is you have to disassemble it to change you front implants it’s okay if you plan on never taking the bucket off

[@daveknowshow]

true but since my front bucket is not quick attach its not really removable anyway and I have no other front implements to install. wish that was not the case.

[@ArizonaCowboys]

Nice!

[@lowercherty]

Allis Chalmers orange is almost a dead on match for Kubota Orange.

[@340rps]

Damn man, you got your hands right where they would get crushed if for what ever reason that pipe cutter jams. Less obvious things have happened. No way that lathe is stopping , your hands and arms are mangled. Not safe at all. A few years back we had a girl using a lathe who didn't tie her hair back, they found her dead.

[@daveknowshow]

I got my beard caught in the lathe last year could have ripped my entire face off. I got lucky. the pipe cutter on the lathe is something I'm very careful with. I have it down pretty good where I can let go in a hurry and let it just hit the ways if necessary. I never crank down on the cutter hard just small bits to ease through it. however you are right very dangerous machine. I also have a 17 inch turnado by southbend on the back side its a massive machine and will hurt you bad in a hurry. 10 hp three phase motor on that beast.

[@traceykays433]

I appreciate u showing us how this is done but most of us are using limited data and can't afford to watch u people do every little thing or listen to u small bullshit. Sorry if I sound ungrateful. I'm not. Thank u for teaching us.

[@daveknowshow]

so very true, the fact is you get the most out of youtube when you watch it on a full screen, not a phone. the limited data restrictions is a real issue and one that you should contact your service provider about. when people like you and I are restricted to limited data usage two things happen. one you can not use the internet to its full potential by watching a full video. as a creator I can no long upload as much content for you to watch because I run out of data as well. this data limits issue is something we all need to voice strong opposition to. unlimited data should be included with all service plans. data aside, I understand that many folks get frustrated when a video strays off point or lingers a bit to long, explaining or showing things " you " already know. its what seperates home made youtube videos done for free from big corporate owned youtube videos professionally done for profit. people like me have a goal to keep the internet as an open source of free content. corporate owned content makers want you to stop me from making videos so they can charge the viewers a fee per view, or monthly subscription fee. most content creators like myself do this for the joy of sharing information open source for free. we include the human equation and our videos are not perfect, they are unrehearsed and not very polished. it surprises me that my videos turn out as well as they do and have as many views as they do. I hope you did get some benefit from the video and I really truly appreciate you watching it. be blessed my friend.

[@traceykays433]

daveknowshow I did get some benefit from u video. I also watched ur video on adjusting brush hog. U stole my heart when u said " any day on a tractor is a good day" ur so rite. I really am sorry I said anything. Everything u wrote in return is rite. I'm glad u see my side of it also and ur video are saving poor people like me lots of money and headaches. Thank u for responding back. PEACE.

[@daveknowshow]

I do try and stay on subject and better structured with my videos. I hope I get better at it as I go along. much peace, love and respect to you and your's on this wonderful day! be blessed my friend!

[@richardkulp787]

I have adapted this to a John Deere 200 Series Bucket on a John Deere 2305 at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ7FdYmIpsZogbM

[@daveknowshow]

sweet! I love it, I hope you get some views on your version of the tractor bucket level indicator

[@edwardsaunders5419]

if he spent more time working and less talking it would be obvious that it's the position of the tractor in relation to ground level that dictakes bucket level.

[@daveknowshow]

+edward saunders we are trying to achieve bucket level as it relates to the tractor's plane. that may not be level to earth but will be relative to the tractors direction and travel. yes we could get all technical and argue what is truly level but that is not what we are trying to achieve here. we merely want to shave the ground and not dig to deep or aggressively on a flat yet out of level surface. whether out of level is up hill or down hill. we are looking for a "starting point". I'm sorry you found the video annoying. thanks for watching and have a bless day. :)