Loader float system

[Bigdog6440]

HOW is the float position engaged? I was fooling around with a DK45se on a friend's giant farm and when I tried to put the loader in "float" it just lifted the front of the tractor off the ground. What is the secret? What does "detent" mean? Would the float position be ideal for snow plowing? Thanks for any responses.

Not all loader valves have the float function in the boom circuit. My friend has a NH TN60DA that does not. I suppose this is a cost saving move by NH but it really handicaps the operator. I am guessing it wood be an expensive proposition to replace the spool section with one with "float" circuitry built in.
Darrell

 

[TJP89]

The DK series has a float. shove the joystick past the down position. You will feel it go past a hard point and then it will stick down. It can require a good shove to put it in float. The first time I did it I thought I had busted the joystick, lever was limp, jammed down, bucket was on the ground. Then I remembered the float position.

 

[powerscol]

On my Bobcat CT 235 I need to push fully forward and to the right a bit. The system jerks a bit and I know I am in. I can then adjust the curl while still in float. Works great for plowing snow and not digging in wit hthe bucket. I just keep the front lip up about 1/2"

 

[Billrog]

Float can come in handy back bladeing fill the bucket so it has some weight in it and away you go.

 

[Hope Caper]

Once you see the wheels lift off the ground push the lever further and it will lock into float and the wheels will drop. I use it a lot when snow blowing this way it does not dig the blower into the dirt but rides on top. The blower floats and follows the grade while the tractor moves up and down if that makes any sense.

My tractor has float ability but I have a question about it. I move the lever into float position and the bucket drops. Back dragging it works well. However moving forward after the bucket fills the front wheels will come off the ground. Almost like it came out of float. This is a second hand tractor so I have no idea how it worked when new so I have nothing to compare.

 

[Billrog]

It's in float that's why the tractor is lifted by the friction of the loader pushing dirt.

 

[TJP89]

My tractor has float ability but I have a question about it. I move the lever into float position and the bucket drops. Back dragging it works well. However moving forward after the bucket fills the front wheels will come off the ground. Almost like it came out of float. This is a second hand tractor so I have no idea how it worked when new so I have nothing to compare.

The boom lift/lower is in float, the bucket curl/dump is not. when you go forward, you jam the bucket edge into the ground, and the geometry of the loader dictates that the front of the tractor comes off the ground. This is really bad for the loader, never drive forward with the bucket angled forward in float, great way to seriously damage the tractor. back-dragging is fine, make sure the bucket is angled forward, otherwise the same applies. If you want to drag going forward, curl the bucket back so it's past a 90 degree angle. This is so if you hit an immovable obstacle the loader and bucket bounce over it, instead of slamming into it and potentially busting something. Think about the way the force is applied and you'll see it. Also remember that only the boom (up down on the stick) is in float, not the curl/dump (left to right on the stick).

 

[K man]

I have never used the float on the loader for forward movement but do in reverse as a leveler. I mentioned earlier that I use the float on my front mount blower in forward and works great does not dig into my driveway but rides on top of it.
TPJ89 explains it better for using the float in a forward movement with the bucket curled up a bit so not to dig.

 

[Fallon]

That's why bulldozers have their blades mounted way low rather than above the hood. Mounting up there gives good lift, but poor strength & leverage when attempting to make your tractor behave like a bulldozer.

All tractors do this in float. Bucket digs in a little & due to the loader geometry the path of least resistance is up rather than forward.

 

[Apsterbobed]

I have a question about tractor loaders that the talk about lifting the front tires reminded me about. If the tractor is on level ground and the bucket is flat why do the loader arms not have a cradle that prevents the bucket from going below the the tire bottom. This would help limit the front tire lift and transfer the pushing forces into the frame and off of the loader arms. Also I think this is how most skid loaders work.