Float Position?

[Indian MC]

I need to take out my 2601 this am to clean out knee deep plowed wet snow in front of my Driveway.
I'm trying to find out how to float my FEL.
What I see in my FEL manual is to jam the controller all the way forward home.

Is this correct?

Thank you!

 

[cat fever]

Yep, push the joy stick forward beyond normal lowering of the loader.

 

[Indian MC]

Yep, push the joy stick forward beyond normal lowering of the loader.

Thank you!

 

[rkidd]

You would be better off if possible when plowing with your loader, to learn to keep the front bucket up just a touch off of the drive to keep weight on the front wheels for better traction, and way better steering. You will have much more control of your tractor doing it this way. I do all of my plowing with my loader, and do it this way even on my paved drive. Good luck.

 

[kevin37b]

Yes that is how you get float . But don't use it for this app . You will be pealing your nose off of the steering wheel .

 

[ovrszd]

When the lever is in float position it doesn't spring load back to center. If it hasn't been used much it takes a firm push to get past the detent.

 

[RNeumann]

My FEL controller/valve works the same way. Also note you should still have curl when in float on the lift cylinders.

 

[Fallon]

Ya, all modern loaders float when you jam the lever all the way forward.

But you don't want to float the loader when plowing snow. You want a minimal amount of weight (just the blade) floating. If you float the whole loader it puts to much weight on the blade & it digs into the gravel. Also the articulation point for loaders is high. So if any obstacle or even normal plowing resistance will cause the rear wheels to lift the front axle off the ground.

You need to setup your plow to articulate before or where it mounts to your loader.

 

[homey53]

What is the main purpose of the Float Position?

 

[RNeumann]

What is the main purpose of the Float Position?

The main reason would be to allow the loader to rest on the ground as you move forward or backward. This aids in smoothing the ground without being overly aggressive.
The plow/snow float is an age old discussion. If the ground is frozen it's fine. If the ground is thawed it can dig in as noted above.

 

[bdhsfz6]

The float position has many uses depending on the implement you have on your FEL. In my case, I frequently use it to level uneven ground by making multiple back dragging passes with the bucket. It also works well for spreading certain types of material. I usually back drag in float when clearing snow from in front of my garage doors or other areas where pushing isn't practical.

 

[stuckmotor]

Yes that is how you get float . But don't use it for this app . You will be pealing your nose off of the steering wheel .

I have yet to find an app where float did me much good.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The float position has many uses depending on the implement you have on your FEL. In my case, I frequently use it to level uneven ground by making multiple back dragging passes with the bucket. It also works well for spreading certain types of material. I usually back drag in float when clearing snow from in front of my garage doors or other areas where pushing isn't practical.

I to use float fairly often when leveling just spread gravel or dirt to get it level. If I want to be a bit more aggressive then I tilt bucket so front edge of bucket is all that is on the ground and not the bottom of the bucket and back up in either float or not under float adjusting down pressure as I go. I sometimes use float going forward but not as often as in reverse.
Using float is like using a boxblade and some other implements. The more you use it and the more experienced you get using it makes it more usable/valuable. Tilting the bucket while using float is a big asset sometimes.
If you just use your tractor with FEL for mowing and carrying the garbage cans to the front curb, you may not care much for float since you'll have no real use for the included feature.

 

[rt014]

I used my float very successfully to back drag my skid roads after snow falls so that it freezes compacted and makes it more passable for both my tractor and a Yamaha Rhino.

 

[Xfaxman]

What is the main purpose of the Float Position?

Back dragging is my main use for the Float Position:

 

[PILOON]

Yes that is how you get float . But don't use it for this app . You will be pealing your nose off of the steering wheel .

LOL, talking from experience?

Float in 'back drag' depending on bucket angle is an excellent tool/technique.

Loaded bucket and mild tilt angle is a decent compaction trick.
Very aggressive angle scrapes clean and even in negative angle can pull back lose material like sand or fines.
And if tooth bar equipped becomes a great root rake.

 

[Indian MC]

Yes, it's pretty much useless when running forward. While using the float position grabbing wet snow, she still chose to dig into the gravel ground with dead weight with the bucket level.
Jumped the machine up and down all around.
I'm thinking it may be better just to run the bucket 2" above the gravel when clearing snow running forward.
It might work better when clearing snow on top of solid Asphalt.
Or,,, Purchase a Blade!

 

[kcender]

I use float position when plowing snow with my B2650. I just curl the bucket slightly so the cutting edge is not digging in. Works good for me.

 

[BleedingOrange]

I have yet to find an app where float did me much good.

I use the float position on my BX2370 when I,m using my snowblower to clean out my paved driveway, and sidewalk. Werks great for me, without digging in or raising the front of the tractor.

 

[Indian MC]

I use the float position on my BX2370 when I,m using my snowblower to clean out my paved driveway, and sidewalk. Werks great for me, without digging in or raising the front of the tractor.

Are you guys on solid Asphalt or Concrete? Level Ground? If you play this on Gravel with just a a slight decline, she digs in with her dead weight and and tries to do a wheelie.