4520 - engaging bucket float not working

MTRON · Feb 9, 2020

Last winter engaging bucket float to push snow around worked fine. The first chance to push snow this year was a couple of days ago and even though it feels like I am engaging float when pushing the handle forward, the bucket is not floating and is tearing up my gravel driveway. Is there any sort of adjustment to engaging float possible/needed? Anything I should evaluate that might be causing this? Thanks in advance!

s219 · Feb 9, 2020

Is the tractor stored in freezing conditions? If so, you may have ice down in the float detent cap which is preventing the valve from going all the way into float. This is a common place for water to accumulate and if it freezes this problem can occur.

Normally, floating the bucket will still tear up gravel so even if it was working I am not sure this is the best way to clear snow.

ruffdog · Feb 9, 2020

Do you feel it go far enough to be held by the detent?

Bavarian · Feb 9, 2020

If you keep the cutting edge in an aggressive angle, it will dig in even in float.

MTRON · Feb 9, 2020

Yes, stored in cold barn. I suppose I could heat the area it's stored in to see if that makes a difference. It feels as though when I move the lever forward to engage float it 'clicks' into place and I can feel it come out of the float position when I pull lever backward. When the ground is good and frozen, pushing snow has 'worked' for the most part, but this year has not been consistently cold enough to freeze the ground solid. Agree, a different setup for dealing with snow would be ideal!

s219 · Feb 9, 2020

You should easily be able to test if float is working by lifting the bucket off the ground 3-4" then engage float. If it drops to the ground then it's working.

MTRON · Feb 9, 2020

Will test float as you suggest. If that proves successful, I will look elsewhere for root cause by looking in the mirror. Many thanks to all who replied!