Engaging Float Position

[stalion]

I have never managed to engage the float position on my JD4310. When the tractor is not running I can easily find the position by pushing the joystick all the way forward. When I tried to engage float while the tractor is running I found that the loader would slam down as I was moving the joystick from center, through the loader "down", to the float position. I tried doing this quickly with no better results. It was not something I even wanted to try again. What am I doing wrong?

 

[RoyJackson]

The loader will fall, if you engage float when it's in the air.

Float is primarily for back dragging and other chores when you do not want to dig.

If I'm reading your post correctly, you've tried engaging float while the loader is raised. Try dropping the bucket to the ground, then engaging float.

As I'm written, I only use float for back dragging (snow from the garage doors, for example). Occasionally, I'll use the loader in float to push snow (probably what you're looking to do), but the bucket tends to ride up over the snow too much most the time.
What do you want to use the float position for?

 

[stalion]

Hello Roy, I was just thinking I might want to use my tractor to clean snow off my blacktop driveway - and might want to engage float for the first time. I don't think I had the bucket high in the air when I tried to do this - but maybe the bucket was tipped forward which caused the problem. I imagine the bucket has to be perfectly flat to the ground when you do this. I'll give it another try sometime. Thanks for the response!

 

[stalion]

Roy, now that I re-read your post I think I will make a clarification. When I go from the "center" position to the "float" position I am engaging the "loader down" hydraulics along the way. Is there a way to prevent this? Am I not doing something properly that would avoid this? It seems to me that engagement of the "float" position would come from a neutral position of some sort. My bucket is not "falling" rather it is being "forced down" on my way to the float position.

 

[thatguy]

You may try resting the bucket on the ground to start off. Then quickly push the lever forward - you will feel it slide past a 'notch' and then you are floating..

Its sorta hard to explain, but the first time you find the float you will go "boy why couldnt i find that before"

good luck

brian

 

[JB4310]

trying to link you to a post that might help, re: float. could not figure out how to link to past posts, the thread started with post # 595853 Nov. "04. I have it in my favorites but don't know how to put it in this reply. If any one can help? Anyway it's all about using float, seemed to help some people, have not used it since last winter, almost forgot about it till I started using the loader to move snow this year, that's the only time I really need it. It is simple once you get the hang of it, I had about a 2 hour learning curve just to use the loader for snow removal, the float makes it much easier.

 

[RoyJackson]

"Am I not doing something properly that would avoid this? It seems to me that engagement of the "float" position would come from a neutral position of some sort. My bucket is not "falling" rather it is being "forced down" on my way to the float position. "

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I do think you're expecting something the FEL cannot do.

The Float is used only when the bucket is on the ground. You cannot engage float with the bucket raised at all (well, you can engage it, but the bucket will free fall).

If your intent is to back drag, roll your bucket into the position you want to use (for back dragging), then push the joystick into the float position. I normally have the bucket about 45° down (that 45° applies to the bottom of the bucket when viewed from the side), then, with the bucket cutting edge on the ground, I push the joystick into float. Then, I put the tractor in reverse and pull any snow.

If the snow (or dirt or any other material) is hard (heavy wet snow, for example..or dried out dirt), the bucket may ride up over the material.

It takes some practice, but float serves a useful purpose in snow removal with minimal damage to the surface below the snow (or other material)

 

[trlong]

I don't know about the 4310. However, There is no problem putting my 4115, with the 410 loader on it, in float. I don't fill the bucket and drop it from 3/4 lift. However, the manual recommends, and I usually do, lift the bucket about 1/4 - 1/2 way up before I shut off the tractor. Then when shut off, I slap the SCV into float and the bucket drops slowly, relieving pressure on the hydraulics (my understanding of the recommendation). If I slap it into float with the tractor running (empty bucket), it also drops slowly, without fail. I do not know if this is due to the specifics of the SCV, and/or adjustment, or...? Just know it works fine.

Tom

 

[trlong]

Roy,

Is that "freefall" specific to some loaders? 'Cause mine does not freefall, it settles down nice and slow and you can hear the hydralics' low hiss as it drops at about a foot per second (just a guess on that timing).

Tom

 

[RoyJackson]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Roy,

Is that "freefall" specific to some loaders? 'Cause mine does not freefall, it settles down nice and slow and you can hear the hydralics' low hiss as it drops at about a foot per second (just a guess on that timing).

Tom
)</font>


I've no idea if the "free fall" is specific or not. Next time you operate your tractor, before shutting down, push the FEL joystick into Float (from 12" or so off the ground) and see how rapidly it falls. Mine drops pretty quickly... I wouldn't want to be standing under it...or even just my foot.

Now, upon shutdown, I've always had the FEL lowered before I shut the engine down. Then, I'll jiggle the joystick to relieve the pressure. The lower/bucket moves a bit, but since it's already down, there's no drop.