Newbie Question... Float?

StoneyFF · Mar 22, 2004

OK, Folks,

Here's my ignorance surfacing again...

What does it mean when people refer to 'Float'ing the bucket...

Stoney
{Ignorance is curable... Stupidity is terminal...}

Gatorboy · Mar 22, 2004

Float means that the bucket will "float up/down" along the ground.

For example if you have some topsoil you want to smooth out, you would tilt the bucket so that the edge is down and then you would put it in "float" so that as you backup, the bucket will smooth the dirt out and float up/down as it needs to. If you keep the bucket in one position (NOT in float), the bucket could lift off the ground or dig into the ground -- which is not what you really intended.

This is a horrible explanation, I know, but I know others will explain it better than I did.

DocHeb · Mar 22, 2004

Using your bucket joystick, go from the neutral position forward. You will reach a detent position (or "click") that you will feel. If you were to hold the joystick there the bucket will be forced into the ground, and may even raise the front wheels of the tractor off the ground. If you continue pushing the joysick forward past the first detent, the bucket will be in float, which means there is no hydraulic pressure for the bucket cylinders for either the up or down movement. The loader arms will "float" and follow the contour of the ground as you move.

The bucket curl position does not float, and will remain fixed (i.e., not curling or uncurling) with the arm floating.

Bird · Mar 22, 2004

Stoney, on most front end loaders, if you push the joystick forward to lower the bucket, there is a "detent" where it feels like it stops, but if you shove it on forward past that detent, it will be in the float position; it'll lower to the ground but no down pressure and no lift as long as the joystick stays in that position. You can drive forward or backward and the bucket will stay on the ground even if the front wheels run over humps or low spots.

Bird · Mar 22, 2004

Chris, looks like you beat me by a few seconds. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DocHeb · Mar 22, 2004

I'm sure you true veterans have answered some of these questions more than a few times, and if I am sure of an answer I try to speak up to save you guys from having to answer a few times + 1.

Bird · Mar 22, 2004

Chris, I appreciate you answering this question, or any other question. It's just a bit comical to me when two or more of us are typing at the same time. Actually, I guess I should have just saved some of Muhammad's storage space and deleted my post since yours got in first and covered the topic. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

RobS · Mar 22, 2004

What truly spells your expertise (both Bird and DocHeb) is that you were each typing the word "detent" at the same time. Imagine how many people in the world have never used that word even once /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gatorboy · Mar 22, 2004

( What truly spells your expertise (both Bird and DocHeb) is that you were each typing the word "detent" at the same time.)

I guess the fact that my Bobcat doesn't have a detent position would be the reason I didn't use that word. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif