Loader Is my FEL float mode broken?

[CharlieInNEK]

I'm the proud owner of a Yanmar 2400, won this year in a raffle. So I don't have much experience yet, but having a great time learning.

My tractor manual says the FEL has a float mode, engaged in the usual way (move the implement lever all the way forward.) I find this does cause the bucket to drop to the ground. But - it doesn't seem to float! If it encounters rising ground, it just digs in. Am I using it wrong? Or having too high expectations?

I am plowing snow now, and finding it a pain to constantly adjust the bucket to ride on the gravel of the driveway without gouging it up or leaving a lot of snow. Sounds like just what float mode was designed for, right?

I'd appreciate any insight anyone has. Of course I'll call the dealer as well if all else fails...

Many thanks!

 

[Katahdin]

I think your float mode is working fine. If it wasn't working the loader would push off the ground and lift your front tires into the air. A bucket is not the best tool for plowing snow, note even a snow plow will scuff up uneven gravel if the conditions are right. Since this is November I don't think your ground is frozen hard enough to support the full weight of force you're putting on it. Try this, when in forward motion, keep the bucket a couple inches off the ground for one pass to just remove a top layer of snow. Then angle the bucket edge slightly downward, engage float mode, then back drag the bucket over the same area with the tractor in reverse. That should compact down the snow you left on the first pass without disturbing the gravel.

 

[sd455dan]

I'm the proud owner of a Yanmar 2400, won this year in a raffle. So I don't have much experience yet, but having a great time learning.

My tractor manual says the FEL has a float mode, engaged in the usual way (move the implement lever all the way forward.) I find this does cause the bucket to drop to the ground. But - it doesn't seem to float! If it encounters rising ground, it just digs in. Am I using it wrong? Or having too high expectations?

I am plowing snow now, and finding it a pain to constantly adjust the bucket to ride on the gravel of the driveway without gouging it up or leaving a lot of snow. Sounds like just what float mode was designed for, right?

I'd appreciate any insight anyone has. Of course I'll call the dealer as well if all else fails...

Many thanks!

AS above and in addition-

Once you have a layer of compacted snow, It sometimes works to drop the bucket and then tilt the bucket till it will just slide in forward motion while in float.

You may have to get off the tractor and look at the front edge of the bucket verses the rear edge- with practice you should be able to find a (sweet) spot where while plowing in float the bucket removes virtually all the snow without digging in... It also helps to have a flat and smooth driveway to begin with .
Hope this is helpful and Happy Thanksgiving

 

[radioman]

the float mode is working. when you say when you push it forward past the detent and fel dropped to ground its in float mode. You can tell its "floating but driving tractor up and down small bumps and hills and the fel has no downpressure and it goes up and down with terrain. You are probably diggin up your driveway but not watching the "curl" of the bucket in relation to the ground. The front lip of bucket should always be up higher the the ground you are floating over. As your bucket fills with snow or dirt, the lip tends to sag down so a bit more curl up is needed.
Its somewhat an art to use float and only time and experience will improve the quality of using the float mode. I find that when starting out in float either in dirt or snow, I go slow at first and adjust the curl and move along. When I start to lose traction or start sliding sideways, I bump it out of float and lift the FEL ever slightly to gain traction back. Either I am done in float or put back in float depending on conditions and what I am trying to do. Again - its an art and only time and using all features will come naturally as you use it and learn.

 

[Midniteoyl]

And, congrats on the Yanmar

 

[sixdogs]

I'd say the float mode is fine. The only way I have ever used float mode is with the tractor in reverse. I put an angle on the bucket edge, and that can be a little or a lot, and then back drag the gravel or dirt. Works like a champ and back dragging is the way I think float is intended. I have never used in forward.

 

[J_J]

I'm the proud owner of a Yanmar 2400, won this year in a raffle. So I don't have much experience yet, but having a great time learning.

My tractor manual says the FEL has a float mode, engaged in the usual way (move the implement lever all the way forward.) I find this does cause the bucket to drop to the ground. But - it doesn't seem to float! If it encounters rising ground, it just digs in. Am I using it wrong? Or having too high expectations?

I am plowing snow now, and finding it a pain to constantly adjust the bucket to ride on the gravel of the driveway without gouging it up or leaving a lot of snow. Sounds like just what float mode was designed for, right?

I'd appreciate any insight anyone has. Of course I'll call the dealer as well if all else fails...

Many thanks!

To positively check float, raise the lift arms to full up.

Snap the lever fwd and remove your hands from the lever, and if the lift arms continue to fall, then you have selected float, and it will ride the conture of the ground/snow, otherwise, float..

Then tilt the bucket as required.

 

[Clint S]

To positively check float, raise the lift arms to full up.

Snap the lever fwd and remove your hands from the lever, and if the lift arms continue to fall, then you have selected float, and it will ride the conture of the ground/snow, otherwise, float..

Then tilt the bucket as required.

Like JJ says. From loader full up push forward past the detent, if the lever stays forward in the detent position and the bucket falls you are good. Buckets dig in when not positioned well even in float. I try to back blade with the bucket until there is a snow pack and the ground is frozen.

 

[Gods Country]

If your bucket is floating the cutting edge will still dig in depending on the angle of the bucket.
If your ground is too soft you will need to curl the cutting edge upward as needed as you are plowing.

 

[creekbend]

To positively check float, raise the lift arms to full up.

Snap the lever fwd and remove your hands from the lever, and if the lift arms continue to fall, then you have selected float, and it will ride the conture of the ground/snow, otherwise, float..

Then tilt the bucket as required.

I learned a new method. Thanks for posting.