Ventrac K502 landscape rake question

[Bill63]

Good Morning
The tines on my landscape rake will not stay up. The tines will rise and hold their position when lifted by the hydraulic cylinder. As soon as i put the control lever in the float position, the tines will automatically lower until they rest on the ground. The tines will not be able to lift again until after the entire implement is lifted again. This makes it very difficult to spread wood chips and mulch.
Do all of these rakes do this, or is there something wrong?
Thanks!

 

[TMGT]

Do you have hyd. gauge wheels on it? Putting the lift in float will allow the rake to lower and contact the ground unless you take it out of float and lift it again.

 

[Bill63]

Do you have hyd. gauge wheels on it? Putting the lift in float will allow the rake to lower and contact the ground unless you take it out of float and lift it again.

The wheels are on it. It's the hydraulic cylinder on top (the one that curls the tines) that will not hold its position.

 

[TMGT]

Is this a new attachment and equipment or one that you've had and developed the current problem?

 

[MountainBuck]

This depends on where the rake is attached and if you have the optional "height adjustment cylinder."

If the rake is attached to the optional 3pt hitch at the back of the tractor, then height adjustment is accomplished by the auxiliary hydraulic handles which DO have a float option. If the handle is put in "float" then yes, then hydraulic pressure is removed and the tines will fall down as far as they are able.

However, if your rake is attached to the front and you have the optional hydraulic height adjustment then operation of the tines is by the secondary SDLA handle with the electrical switch engaged. This handle does not have a "float" position.

Lastly, if your rake is attached to the front and you don't use the secondary SDLA handle adjusting the tines, then you have a manual tines height adjuster like I do. Yes, you can raise and lower the entire rake with the primary SDLA, but independently you need to raise and lower the height of the tines with the "top link" adjustment on the top of the unit. Yes, you should use the rake in "float" in this configuration.

You may want to check out in depth page 14 of the manual here.