3 point hitch float

[RedRock]

Ok, I'm new and stupid. Just what is the "float" position on my Mahindra FEL for? How is it different from just lowering the bucket? Also, am I to understand that there is no down pressure on the FEL just like the 3ph?

Steady forward pressure on the joystick should put down pressure, i.e., raising the front wheels at some point. Just past the full forward is another notch, that's float for the FEL. I used it a lot when back dragging a pile of crusher to level a pad. Different angle of attack on the bucket will produce different results. I think it's probably easier on the hydraulics if you use it when shutting down for the day too.

 

[skipmarcy]

Ok, I'm new and stupid. Just what is the "float" position on my Mahindra FEL for? How is it different from just lowering the bucket? Also, am I to understand that there is no down pressure on the FEL just like the 3ph?

Sandusky told it right - floating the bucket while back-dragging a final grade can make it nice & pretty, just feather the tilt (curl cylinders) on your bucket while in float detent to get the results you want, the float only floats the loader arms(lift cylinders), not the curl - the bucket should stay curled where you put it with the joystick. About a 1/2 bucket full of material in the bucket for weight can move a little more material if needed. Once you get good with that and your boxblade, you'll be able to doze materials in reverse with your boxblade and have your bucket floating "behind" you and avoid alot of the washboard alot of guys get when spreading materials with a tractor. Yes, when not in float your FEL has as much down pressure as you put on it - up to the weigh of the front of your tractor when it comes off the ground. Your 3ph does not have any down pressure hydraulically at all - strictly the weight of the arms and linkages and any implement you have attached - completely different type of hydraulic system & control.

 

[Mahindra One]

I recently purchased a 4025 and have a complete lack of knowledge regarding this "float" thing. The two posts under this thread are the most info I have found so far. Can either of you point me to someplace that will explain it in more detail. It sounds like something I need as I do a lot of road grading.
Thanks

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Your 3PH does not have down pressure, but your loader does, but also your loader can be put in the float position, so there is no down pressure. You push your loader joy stick forward and you have down pressure, but if you push it a little further it will lock into float mode.

 

[Mahindra One]

Interesting. So, if I understand you, in the float position, the loader basically acts like the draft on the 3PH. Wouldn't the weight of the bucket and it's contents cause it to drop? I thought I understood but not sure now. What would one use the such a feature for?

 

[skipmarcy]

Interesting. So, if I understand you, in the float position, the loader basically acts like the draft on the 3PH. Wouldn't the weight of the bucket and it's contents cause it to drop? I thought I understood but not sure now. What would one use the such a feature for?

As Galen said - if your joystick has the float option, push the stick ahead past the down position and you should feel it click into a detent position - that is the float position. As I said - this allows the 2 boom cylinders to float, yes, your bucket will be on the ground. With your bucket floating on the ground like this with no down pressure other that the weight of all of it you can drive the tractor in reverse dragging your bucket along to smooth whatever out. The curl cylinders will not be in a hydraulic float like the boom cylinders so you can change the angle (curl) that your bucket is resting on the ground and it will stay at that angle as you back drag. Changing the angle of the bucket will change how much material the bucket will drag along and how smooth it will be - you have to experiment with your particular bucket to see the results. Most of the time you'll probably want the bucket close to flat on the ground for final smoothing. On my loader/joystick, I can operate the curl side to side while the stick is in the detented float position to change the curl of the bucket as I go to get the finish I want. Some joysticks may require you to set the curl before you put it in the float position.