Engaging Float Position
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trlong
Platinum Member
<font color="blue"> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Then, I'll jiggle the joystick to relieve the pressure. )</font> </font>
Roy,
Oh yes...forgot that after dropping (tractor off, slap into float), I do move the SCV through all positions, per manual recommendation (to even out the line pressures?). I do so automatically now I forgot that I do it. As for dropping from 1' w/tractor off; It would take it about 1-1 1/2 seconds, I believe. I'm pretty sure it drops faster if just pushed to drop position, rather than float...maybe not. With 400 hr.'s on the CUT, most of the work with the FEL, there are so many things that have become automatic that I can't honestly remember. Testing will have to wait 'til Spring as the FEL is put away and the blower is on the front.
Thanks,
Tom
Roy,
Oh yes...forgot that after dropping (tractor off, slap into float), I do move the SCV through all positions, per manual recommendation (to even out the line pressures?). I do so automatically now I forgot that I do it. As for dropping from 1' w/tractor off; It would take it about 1-1 1/2 seconds, I believe. I'm pretty sure it drops faster if just pushed to drop position, rather than float...maybe not. With 400 hr.'s on the CUT, most of the work with the FEL, there are so many things that have become automatic that I can't honestly remember. Testing will have to wait 'til Spring as the FEL is put away and the blower is on the front.
Thanks,
Tom
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
A lot of people have posted about this. I had trouble with it on my 4010 and 410 loader. Now, it's almost automatic. Just jam the joy stick full forward and then right when the bucket is a foot or less off the ground. You have to do it quickly or you'll go through the bucket lowering and maybe even raising the front wheels. On my 4010, the bucket just gently hits the ground. I use it for back dragging but also for pushing snow, with the bucket level.
Ralph
Ralph
ddivinia
Elite Member
I had the same problem, I didnt even realize I had a float position! I found it easier to have the tractor turned off. I practiced getting it into float mode. It is easier with the tractor off so I am not lifting the wheels off the ground, etc.
D.
D.
JasonMac
Gold Member
If you are trying to peel snow, just throw your lever all the way forward, (beyond the lower position) lever will stay in that position... use your bucket level indicater, and maybe dump your bucket another 1-3 inches to get under the snow... It will peel perfect without excessive wear to your lower lip cutting edge... it's very easy... you should be able to throw an empty bucket into float position from any height.. it will lower slower than hydraulic lower position... You'll get the hang of it....
Thank you all for your advice and comments. Today I used the bucket successfully in float position to peel the ice off my blacktop driveway. It worked beautifully. I guess I was being too timid when I tried previously. You just have to jam the joystick right down quickly.
I was a little nervous about hurting my driveway - and about wear on the bucket lip. But I don't need that many passes to do my drive - so I could afford to take my time and be extremely careful.
I was a little nervous about hurting my driveway - and about wear on the bucket lip. But I don't need that many passes to do my drive - so I could afford to take my time and be extremely careful.
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
I used the float many times this morning on the slush left from our storm. Comes quite natural. Can engage it from almost any height. The bucket just eases down.
The Frontier 5' rear blade worked great, and did most of the work. Used it driving forward, and without any protection. Ripped off the slit heater hose that I'd attached to the bottom of the blade, as I knew it'd just ride up onto the ice rather than scrape it away.
The bucket riding on the pavement making a horrible scraping noise, but I think it wears less doing that than in moving those 20+ tons of gravel.
Ralph
The Frontier 5' rear blade worked great, and did most of the work. Used it driving forward, and without any protection. Ripped off the slit heater hose that I'd attached to the bottom of the blade, as I knew it'd just ride up onto the ice rather than scrape it away.
The bucket riding on the pavement making a horrible scraping noise, but I think it wears less doing that than in moving those 20+ tons of gravel.
Ralph
Deere_parts
Silver Member
Good information here.
I know nothing about front loaders and controls on these deere machines and I ask you. (yep, it might sound kinda dumb, but I need to learn this one)
Does the "float" position mean that the loader or whatever actually "floats" on the surface of say, dirt or snow, alowing the loader to move up or down keeping the majority of the weight on the tractor instead.
In other words the hydraulic cylinders that are in float will act like a cars shock absorber does? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thank you
I know nothing about front loaders and controls on these deere machines and I ask you. (yep, it might sound kinda dumb, but I need to learn this one)
Does the "float" position mean that the loader or whatever actually "floats" on the surface of say, dirt or snow, alowing the loader to move up or down keeping the majority of the weight on the tractor instead.
In other words the hydraulic cylinders that are in float will act like a cars shock absorber does? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thank you
bigpete
Veteran Member
That's a pretty darned good description. The weight of whatever is floating determines down pressure, for the most part. I recall a while ago someone actually went as far as to measure the down pressure in float and found out it was a few pounds more than what the implement weighed detatched from the tractor. My general lifestyle, my sleep cycles, and the way I use the float function pretty much stayed the same after learning that tecnical tidbit. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
George2615
Super Member
Yes, Thats what float position is. It floats along the ground whereas if you had just lowered the loader to touch the ground and say the rear wheels go up over a bump, in turn the bucket would go down and dig in. in float mode it glides along the ground allowing the tractor wheels to stay in better contact with the ground. Your analogy is correct that the cylinders would act like shocks. The best way to float your bucket is to raise the bucket about a foot or so then push the joystick all the way to float mode. The bucket should glide or float down until it contacts the ground. If pushing snow with the bucket you should curl the bucket up slightly on gravel to keep from digging in or keep it flat on blacktop.