Float on T&T? Why not?

[Henro]

It seems like having float on the top cylinder of a hydraulic T&T could be useful when using a brush cutter...the linkage on the cutter itself would allow for some up and down movement, and the float on the top cylinder would give about all the range of movement one would every want...

Or one might think.

Anyone use control valves with a float position on their top and tilt?

Why would this not be a good idea?

How about on the tilt cylinder(s)? Seems like it might be nice to have my rear blade follow the weird angles on my driveway when plowing snow with the rear blade...

I don't recall ever reading where anyone had float on their top and tilt setup.

How crazy is this idea?

 

[MicroPilot]

The Jiffy Hitch Systems ( Jiffy Hitch ) HTL has a float position. This is how there quick hitch accommodates implements that need to "float", like mowers. This site has some video showing the top link in action in float mode.

 

[OkieG]

The Prince valve controlling my toplink is designed for use with two cylinders. There is a float feature for one cylinder hookup, the other does not have float. I use the non-float coupler pair for my toplink (hyd. toplink only...no tilt). The float pair sit with dust caps in place...but they are ready for action.

Even though, the hyd. toplink is wonderful for brush-hogging, I can't quite envision the situation where float would be helpful. The slotted U-connector, of course, allows some float at the toplink. Hydraulic float could broaden the range of motion limits of the cutter's tailend (degrees of cutter tail down/ tail up) with no operator input required. But, also would allow large cutter attitude changes to happen quickly. Gravity and terrain would be in control and you would not be...kind of like using a slack chain for your toplink.

For me, it seems when I intentionally use my cutter toward the extremes of range of motion, there is often a positive toplink control adjustment desired to feather the transition to the cutting situation I face next.

If you can think of a good way to use it...let me know. I can switch out toplink hoses to the other quick connect set and have toplink float in no time.

OkieG

 

[ronjhall]

MicroPilot
One of the valves for my Top & Tilt has float position. I have not thought about using it on the top link. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I will have to try it when I bush hog again. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Rowski]

Henro

I have a HTL and love for rotary cutting. For me a float would not work due to the double pilot valves on my cylinder. Also The way my toplink pivot is designed on my Woods BB720 cutter it acts like a float, which is what I think its supposed to do. Basically with my HTL extended out all the way I can pick up the front of my cutter (with the tail wheel on the ground) to almost 3.5'. Anymore and my PTO shaft would touch the deck of the cutter.

It seems in the past I've read many post here about people having problems with the, floating or pivoting, of the toplink mechanism on their cutter. I haven't seen all the different types pivots but the Woods is one of the better ones. I'm not sure but I read some where that the Woods pivot is patented?I haven't had any trouble with mine.

Basically I have all the float I need when my toplink is extended. I very rarely use it all the way extended.

 

[_RaT_]

Like Derek, both of my mowers, one a 84" Landpride finnish mower and the other a Woods 80" brush mower both have a built in float in the top link.

 

[jinman]

Bill, isn't float what you have already on your sidelinks without a tilt cylinder? If you want true float, just replace both side links with two short chainlinks and you will allow the boxblade to float to any terrain. I don't know how it will work, but by using the chain, you will completely disconnect the rockershaft from the rigid connection you normally have. Only when you lift the 3PH would the two chains work together.

You could try this and see how your boxblade would react to float without spending the money on "floatable" tilt cylinders.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> kind of like using a slack chain for your toplink.
</font>

OkieG, I think that was what was in the back of my mind...sort of like having a chain one could stiffen in an instant.

<font color="blue"> both of my mowers, one a 84" Landpride finnish mower and the other a Woods 80" brush mower both have a built in float in the top link. </font>

Rat, I assume you mean they have some kind of swinging hook up point where the top link attaches right?

<font color="blue"> For me a float would not work due to the double pilot valves on my cylinder. </font>

Rowski,

I look in the mirror and all I see is DUH! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I am thinking of putting pilot operated check valves in my T&T as it evolves...guess that throws my question right out the window... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

<font color="blue"> Bill, isn't float what you have already on your sidelinks without a tilt cylinder? </font>

Jinman,

Yes, the 3PH has float but either side will stop the downward movement of the other. I was thinking if I had float on one tilt cylinder, then the rear blade could follow the angle of the driveway surface as I moved along it, rather than one edge of the blade just start digging in on the high side.

Of course if I use pilot operated check valves...this cannot work...

Thanks for the input guys...in my case I will likely use PO check valves so the question became moot for me...

 

[MicroPilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...Even though, the hyd. toplink is wonderful for brush-hogging, I can't quite envision the situation where float would be helpful. The slotted U-connector, of course, allows some float at the toplink. ... )</font>

How would a hydraulic top link be helpful when bush-hogging?


_Rat_ said: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Like Derek, both of my mowers, one a 84" Landpride finnish mower and the other a Woods 80" brush mower both have a built in float in the top link.)</font>

In the example I gave for the Jiffy Hitch, this is a quick attach system that has "female" parts that are attached to the implements. Because of this using the floating top link attachment point on the implement is not possible. They overcome this by using the float capability of a HTL. They even have an HTL that is self contained and independant of the tractor hydraulics.

 

[GaryK]

Correct if I'm wrong but the top link does not exert any vertical control over an implement, only the angle from a vertical plane. the 3ph would control any float, no????I can see the problem with a bush cutter and a rigid top link, I have got my cutter stuck in the mud along with the tractor because the bush hog would not tilt up when it bottoms out. I solved this by replacing the top link with a piece of chain when bush hogging. This helps prevent the cutter from getting stuck when the tracotr bottoms etc but it can be very dangerous in that the cutter can jump up when hitting a stump or other hard surface.