How do I float my 3ph?

[ragkar]

Someone advised that when using a rake with wheels, the 3ph should be in the float position. The manual for my jd2320 doesn't mention this.

I'm guessing that 'float' means there is no 3ph up/down pressure. Gravity on the rake and the wheels adjusts the rake position.

 

[Deadman]

I guess float would be all the way down.....????????

 

[Willl]

I guess float would be all the way down.....????????

My guess too.

 

[Tact]

I don't know if your lift arms are the same design as mine on the 4520, but there is a pin on the arm that you can position to alternate between rigid and float positions. Here's mine in the float position, which can be rotated horizontal making the lift arms rigid. Like I said, you setup may be different.

 

[bjcsc]

Some 3pt.'s float and some don't. Mine floats in the full down position with the draft set to 0 (it's EH though). You might just have to carefully test it...

And even if your arms have the float setting like Tacts (and mine) it won't be enough...

 

[Woody_NH]

Someone advised that when using a rake with wheels, the 3ph should be in the float position. The manual for my jd2320 doesn't mention this.

Well there is a little confusing terminology in my 3320 manual where there are instructions on how to change the 3PH to a "float" mode.

First, all 3PH designs that I know of are always in a float mode as they do not apply any downward pressure. Run the rockshaft control all the way down and the implement will "float" up and down with the terrain.

But .... my landscape rake with gauge wheels wants to be free to tilt small amounts as well as rise and fall. So my on my 3320 where the lift arms attach to the lower links there is a bolt, a slot and a bracket on each side. With the brackets one way, the lower links are locked to the lift arms. With the bracket the other way, the lift arms can flop up and down independently somewhat allowing for tilt of the implement. The 3320 refers to this as the "float position" of the draft links as opposed to the "fixed position".
I don't know if the 2320 has the same option.

 

[kennyd]

For the 2320, just push the 3PH lever all the way forward.
If you don't have anything on the 3PH you can lift the arms and see that it will float up and down.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Ragkar

The picture posted by Tact is what you want & should also be shown in your owner's manual or something close to it.

As you continue to lower the rake after its wheels touch down you will see the hitch lower a little more without the rake lowering further. The rake is then free to float a little.

Depending on what you want to accomplish you can also adjust the left/right hitch tilt, individual gauge wheel height forward/back top link and left or right rake angle

Note: On some rakes the gauge wheels do not turn 360 so you may have to lift your rake when backing.

You can also try only lowering the rake till it just touches the ground if you don't want it to dig in as much or if you have the hitch tilted such as when crowning a road.

Good luck & just go slow watching how each adjustment effects moving the soil.

 

[orlo]

Woody was right on the answer. The simple answer is it always floats but you can control the 'low' point. The implement/terrain can always lift the implement. What you control with the position or select control is the lowest point it will let the implement go.

 

[RalphVa]

My 3 ph floats above where it is set to run at. So, if you want it to fully float, leave the lever all the way in "down" position. If you want somewhere in between "up" and "down", just run it down to where you want it not to go below and then return the lever to "neutral".

Ralph

 

[VABlue]

The 2320 has position control, so there is no neutral - but the operation is the same nonetheless. Put the control to the lowest point you want the rake to go, and the ground will raise it up (float it) as terrain dictates. Now, I believe the 2000 series tractors are the same in that there is no link 'lock' like Tact posted. I think those are on the bigger tractors only. Could be wrong...

 

[ragkar]

Thanks for the advice guys. Floating the rake will make a big difference in effectiveness in using my York rake with wheels/blade and scarfer.
I checked my rake and it looks like the wheels have limited turn capability due to bracket clearances. I'm glad someone reminded me to lift the rake when backing as I hadn't thought of that.
It doesn't look like I have a link lock on my 2320. But I'm going to check with the dealer when next I go there to buy some touch-up paint.