Float not engaging

Combustix · Sep 17, 2011

I have a 2002 Kubota B 2710 and the float is not engaging. Have have cleaned off the shaft and sprayed some oil on it and nothing. Was wondering if anyone knew why this might not be clicking into the indent. Thanks for any help.

J_J · Sep 17, 2011

Take the bottom off the spool and clean , inspect the spring and little balls and detent ring. Lube good.

Combustix · Sep 18, 2011

J_J said:
Take the bottom off the spool and clean , inspect the spring and little balls and detent ring. Lube good.

Okay will try. Dumb question will I need to unplug all the hydraulic lines and is there any pressure in the housing? Any special type of lube? Wouldn't the hydraulic oil in the system do this. Sorry I have little hydraulic experience. Thanks for your advice

Combustix · Sep 18, 2011

J_J said:
Take the bottom off the spool and clean , inspect the spring and little balls and detent ring. Lube good.

Okay will try. Will I need to disconnect the hydraulic lines first? Does the spool have any pressure on it. Thanks

J_J · Sep 18, 2011

There should be no pressure in the lines. Move the levers to be sure. You might be able to look at it and clean mounted mounted as is, but if not, remove the valve and inspect clean and lube. The little balls are pushed into the detent by springs and hold the valve in place until you move it. Float allows the cyls to move with the lay of the ground. Useful for snow also.

The float position might require an extra hard push on the lever, but you will know it when engaged.

Watch out for the springs and balls, sometimes they just pop out, and you might lose some of them.

Combustix · Sep 19, 2011

Thanks J_J. I get back home tonight and will take a look at it tomorrow morning

Travelover · Sep 19, 2011

On my Kubota, I found that the little spindle (spool) that the two spring loaded balls ride over to lock into the float position, had two groves worn into it. I ordered a new spindle for $50

After I replaced the spindle it occurred to me that a small washer under the spool would have rotated it enough so the balls rode in a different path. I hope that if that is your problem, you can fix it for the price of a washer.

SSdoxie · Sep 19, 2011

Travelover said:
On my Kubota, I found that the little spindle (spool) that the two spring loaded balls ride over to lock into the float position, had two groves worn into it. I ordered a new spindle for $50 After I replaced the spindle it occurred to me that a small washer under the spool would have rotated it enough so the balls rode in a different path. I hope that if that is your problem, you can fix it for the price of a washer.

Adding a washer behind the spool will change the distance spool travels to get into detent. The porting in the spool and valve may not line up, could cause the valve to either still be in down pressure when in detent or in between the down and float so loader is locked in place.

Travelover · Sep 20, 2011

SSdoxie said:
Adding a washer behind the spool will change the distance spool travels to get into detent. The porting in the spool and valve may not line up, could cause the valve to either still be in down pressure when in detent or in between the down and float so loader is locked in place.

You may be right. In my case, changing it just 1/8 of a turn would have fixed it. With say, a 1/4 x 20 thread, that would change the position of the spindle high point about 0.006". I'm skeptical that the control is that precise.