Joystick float adjustment

[SwampmanLA]

I use my 422 for mowing and am tired of having to hold the joystick forward to keep it in float mode. I've been all through the PT manual looking for how to adjust the tension on the joystick to keep it in float but can't find anything on the subject. Does anyone know 1) can it be adjusted 2) how to adjust it?

From the Swamp

[cqaigy2]

When you push all the way forward, on the joystick, it should stay in that position. You shouldn't have to hold it in float.

[Jimbrown]

It is held in float by a ball detent inside of the contoller. It is either stuck or broke. There is no adjustment.

[cqaigy2]

Maybe spray something in there like wd-40 to loosen things up.

[SwampmanLA]

Well maybe I was not clear enough. It goes into float mode and if you just sit there it will stay in float. But start moving and and the first bump it jumps out of float so I have to hold it forward mow in float. I was hoping I could adjust something so that it stays in float without holding it there.

Swamp

[KentT]

Originally Posted by SwampmanLA

Well maybe I was not clear enough. It goes into float mode and if you just sit there it will stay in float. But start moving and and the first bump it jumps out of float so I have to hold it forward mow in float. I was hoping I could adjust something so that it stays in float without holding it there.

Swamp

There's no simple adjustment. It's the weight of the long, curved handle causing it to come out of float when you hit a bump.

BobRip has posts here somewhere of a mod he came up with -- basically a shaped piece of 2x2 on a bungee that he uses to brace the rod once it's put in the float position. I also made one, using his ideas. It works, but it's a bit of a hassle if you're constanting needing to lift and raise the mower. If you're mowing wide open spaces, it would work well for you.

[SwampmanLA]

Thanks for the info. Now I know I can't adjust something to fix it so I'll craft a bungee based fix for it. It kind of sucks to have to resort to that but at least I am good at that kind of stuff.

Swamp

[KentT]

Originally Posted by SwampmanLA

Thanks for the info. Now I know I can't adjust something to fix it so I'll craft a bungee based fix for it. It kind of sucks to have to resort to that but at least I am good at that kind of stuff.

Swamp

Bob's post says there is an "available kit" that's supposed to help, but he hasn't tried it, nor have I. It's likely a stronger spring for the detent or something similar...

It's not cheap though, $50 or more as I recall.

[SwampmanLA]

Adding tension to the joystick with a bungee is too crude a solution for me. Also, repairing the control valve to keep the thing in float does not sound appealing to me either. So I came up with another approach. Why not add tension with a spring attached to the linkage assemble in the area of the control valve itself. It would be out of the way and could be easily adjusted by including a turnbuckle. Looks like a trip to Lowe's for parts is in order.

Swamp

[ernemats]

I talked to Terry about my joy stick jumping out of float several years ago and I'm sure he told me there was a way to adjust it but I don't remember how he said to do it.