What is "float" in JD 3039R w/ H165 loader?

[Musdalen]

The owners manual for a new tractor is pretty underwhelming in my opinion. One thing I was interested in was how to operate the loader a little more efficiently. This is my first FEL and I clearly don't know its full capabilities. The manual mentions using "float" mode at times, but I have no idea what this is or how to invoke it. Is there a secret handshake I need to perform with the joystick?

If I understand this right it will allow the bucket some freedom of movement in the "curl-uncurl" mode to track the surface of the ground. Or am I completely off base here?

Sorry for this idiotic question but I really don't know what the manual is talking about.

 

[square1]

Someone will describe it better soon. In rudimentary terms there is no down pressure or lift exerted on the loader by hydraulics, hence the loader "floats" on the ground under it's own weight. It seems to me to have some degree of hydraulic influence in that it rides over low spots without dipping an"d takes down high spots without out rising. When used in conjunction with curl to set the angle of the bucket leading edge it is very effective in leveling ground in much the same manner that cement is "floated".

 

[Musdalen]

Yes, that's what I thought it might mean, but how do I do this? My loader seems to have lots of down pressure and it will lift the tractor's front tires off the ground. That's useful - except when it is not. How do I reduce down pressure to just the loader's weight?

 

[square1]

When the lift / lower lever on my two lever loader control is pushed all the way forward it catches in a detente <sic> position. which is float, and stays there until it is pulled out / back to the neutral position.

 

[Bavarian]

You have to push the stick further forward and it will click into float. You may feel the tractor's front getting lifted teporarily, but dropping it's wheels to the ground when the loader is in float.

Now in float, it all depends on on the position of the cutting edge. When driving forward and the angle is too steep, the bucket still digs into the ground. Sometimes even lifting the front wheels off the ground. YES, even in float. It has to do with the geometry of the loader, resistance of the ground against the bucket and the drive of the wheels pushing the tractor forward.
If you curl the bucket too much back, the bucket will just slide over the ground with little or no result.

A bucket level indicator is very helpful here. Put the bucket on level ground and mark the indicator. You may look at it not only once.

Dragging backwards is a bit easier. The angle of the cutting edge is still a factor there. As steeper the angle, as more aggressive it is.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[s219]

Yes, push the lever all the way forward past the detent. WARNING: do not do this with the bucket high off the ground unless you know for sure the float function has a restrictor to keep the bucket from dropping too fast (try it from 12" up the first time and then you'll find out without any consequences).

Float is sometimes useful for spreading/smoothing with the heel of the bucket, either forward or back-dragging, but if you have a box blade, that works so much better.

I rarely use float. When you do use it, keep in mind that it's putting all the weight of the bucket, loader arms, etc on the ground. So whatever task you're doing, the ground needs to be able to support all that without making a mess. You could have one intention, but if the weight of the loader gear causes the bucket heel or edge to dig in, you may not be happy with results.

 

[beenthere]

I use float all the time when I'm plowing snow with the snowplow blade.
And when using the FEL, use it by quickly pushing joy stick forward into detent position.

For the OP, see the operator manual and read the explanation under "Dual Selective Control Valve Lever" for diagram and explanation. The regenerative feature for the bucket curl is explained there as well. Hope this helps.

 

[Musdalen]

Thanks! I will try this when I get home. I know there is a "catch" in the stick movement. That must be the detent.

I found the word "float" in the manual one time w/o explanation and I cant find any mention of it in the index, but now I have another term to look for. Great help.

I'll be back with another dumb question later - just one more - wheels.

 

[beenthere]

There are no "dumb" questions..

 

[Musdalen]

I'll try to not take that as a challenge, beenthere.