Float feature- how do I know?

[LazyBoy]

My new to me B21 has that feature, but when I tried it the bucket just digs in just like it does in regular down position, and yes it was correctly in the float position. What could the problem be?

 

[kennyd]

My new to me B21 has that feature, but when I tried it the bucket just digs in just like it does in regular down position, and yes it was correctly in the float position. What could the problem be?

Sounds like the bucket was not level and the front edge is digging in.

 

[LazyBoy]

Sounds like the bucket was not level and the front edge is digging in.

Nope, I made sure it was slightly negative angle to prevent that.

 

[kennyd]

Nope, I made sure it was slightly negative angle to prevent that.

 

[TalonDancer]

Nope, I made sure it was slightly negative angle to prevent that.

My manual suggests that the float feature is meant for going foward on hard surfaces (e.g. concrete) or back dragging the bucket on any surface.

FWIW If I float my FEL and go forward on a soft surface (even with the front tip up a little) the bucket will produce enough drag (due to friction) to cause the tractor to raise the front wheels off the ground. Of course that increases the down force and causes the bucket to dig in.

Talon Dancer

 

[kennyd]

FWIW If I float my FEL and go forward on a soft surface (even with the front tip up a little) the bucket will produce enough drag (due to friction) to cause the tractor to raise the front wheels off the ground. Of course that increases the down force and causes the bucket to dig in.

Talon Dancer

Well said TD, great explanation.

 

[gerford]

After reading about the float detent that would hold the front blade or FEL in a floating position, I looked for that feature on my bx23. If my bx23 has the floating detent its clearly not working. The FEL will float, but only while I hold the control straight up. If I let go of the control. the FEL locks in its current location. I removed the FEL and cover for the hydraulics and it appears that the control is working its full range. I can feel the valve changing from "down" to "float", but it won't stay in the "float" position. It sounds like a trip to the dealer to get this handy feature working. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[tommu56]

gerford

Try this with the tractor off and blade on ground
push stick away from from you like lowering bucket till it stops. push harder does it lock in that position and not pop back toward you? that would the float position

tom

 

[Berniep]

It sounds like a trip to the dealer to get this handy feature working. Any suggestions? Thanks

This is a pretty comon problem, on the 23 anyway. Water gets into the springs and causes corrosion and ice and stuff. Several people have fixed this problem themselves. Take the plastic cover off the front of the controls and you will see a couple of cylinders coming off the bottom of the valve. If you unscrew these you can clean them out and lube them, maybe dril some hole to let condensation drain out
Here are a couple of links on the problem
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/77914-float-detent.html?highlight=float+detent

This one is on a 7610 but its the same problem.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/90904-bucket-float.html?highlight=float+detent

 

[gerford]

I'll look at freeing it up this morning. I didn't know the bx23 had a detent to hold it in the float position. I've had to hold it in float since I bought the tractor used and its always been that way. Bring on the snow now! Thanks for the great advice.