Re: Do yanmars have a \"float\"?
In a sense, almost all 3pt hitches "float". Unless you have one of the very few tractors which provide down pressure on the 3pt hitch, then any upward change in grade just behind the rear wheels will cause the implement to rise relative to the tractor. You can prove this simply by lowering the 3pt all the way (with no implement attached), and lifting up on the lower 3pt arms by hand. They should rise relatively easily, with the weight of the arms the only resistance. By the way, no Yanmar tractor that I know of has down pressure. It would be a bad idea for any small tractor that is traction limited such as our Yanmars because the net result of down pressure is to reduce the weight on the wheels, thus reducing traction.
Many farm tractors provide true float for ground engagement - primarily plowing with a moldboard or "turning" plow on the 3pt. The float function automatically raises the implement in response to an increase in required pull. The idea is to keep the tractor from stalling when you hit a patch of "tougher" soil that is harder to plow by raising the plow just enough to reduce the required pull. When the required pulling power is reduced, the plow returns to the set depth. The old 8N I used as a kid had this float feature - though I was never sure it actually worked.
I hope this explanation is clear enough. I sure is long enough!
