GC2300 - Got Float?

skivt · Mar 12, 2005

Does anyone know if you can float the FEL with a GC2300?

Barton · Mar 13, 2005

If the FEL is Model 2350, it has float.

skivt · Mar 13, 2005

Great news for me, it is a 2350. How do you engage float?

Barton · Mar 14, 2005

After lowering the FEL, move the joystick forward past the stop and then let go.

44trxfun · Mar 14, 2005

I pretty much do this, except I push the joystick all the way up before lowering the bucket. I think there was at least one thread fairly recenty about reaching the float position with the joystick. From that thread, most setups seem to be about the same. Skivt, you might try a search through the archives. The latest thread was pretty recent.

thing181 · Oct 17, 2006

I have a "new to me" 2004 GC2310 with a 2350 FEL and it seems to me that there is not a float position on the joystick. Is this something they changed/improved for 2005? Is there a way to enable or disable the float option on the joystick? If I move the joystick all the way forward it just lowers the bucket and then picks up the front of the tractor. No click or pop of the joystick is felt and I was pushing pretty hard.
Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

loulblades · Oct 18, 2006

The "float" position is not new. My 2300 is a couple years old and to engage float, the joystick is pushed up all the way. You can feel a "click" when you get to the float position.

I have a toothbar on my FEL that makes an excellent rake when the bucket is turned down the FEL is in float mode.

thing181 · Oct 18, 2006

Thanks for the info loulblades. It seems to be the consensus so far that all 2350 FEL's can float. My father’s JD has a bucket with the float option and I am familiar with the feel of the "click." My 2350 FEL has no such "click" and I am talking with the dealer now to see if it may be broken, or if it can be updated. I can not think of any other reason why it will not float? Could it have something to do with the hydraulic lines?? Maybe I will try removing the rubber boot tonight to see what is inside.....
I agree completely that the float option is a great feature to have and there are many applications I could use it for.
And I also plan on getting a toothbar based on everyone’s enthusiastic reviews....
Thanks again!

MadReferee · Oct 18, 2006

thing181 said:
My 2350 FEL has no such "click" and I am talking with the dealer now to see if it may be broken, or if it can be updated. I can not think of any other reason why it will not float? Could it have something to do with the hydraulic lines?? Maybe I will try removing the rubber boot tonight to see what is inside....

Float is a function of the valve spool. When the spool is in the float detent position, hydraulic fluid from both sides of the cylinder are directed to tank, in other words, both work ports for that spool are connected to the tank outlet of the valve. The FEL should then "float" because there is no hydraulic pressure on its cylinders. If the spool detent is not functioning you may only get it into float by manually holding the lever in what would be the spool's float position.

mchasal · Oct 18, 2006

Does the 2350 have a plastic housing over the valve? On my 1531 that housing was interfering with the ability to work the curl cylinders while floating. Maybe yours is preventing it from engaging float at all. Look in my gallery for pics.