What is the FEL "Float" position and where is it??

[AKFord]

What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

I have read several times in this forum about using the "float" position on the FEL, what exactly is that? I have looked in my FEL owners manual but they don't offer a very good explanation and I don't fully understand what it is, what position to put the control stick in to find it and will it stay in "float" or do I need to hold it there? What advantages does this position offer? Thanks for your time!

 

[coopers]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

Float is when you push the loader lever all the way forward. The lever does a click and sits in an awkward looking position. You can use this if your back dragging with the bucket, the loader arm floats with the terrain, you can use it if you jump out of the machine /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif real quick to do something, some have floats that you can use in the raising function. That's where the loader raises as you drive a long. I don't really know what else you'd use it for, I used it every once in a while when back dragging and jumping out of the backhoe really quick but other than that, never really used it. I'm not multitasking to the point that when I'm driving I need a float to raise my loader up or lower it while I'm driving....You know....

Blake
WA

 

[JimR]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

If you live in a cold weather zone, don't leave the bucket down in float when you shut it off. If I do this with mine I can't lift the bucket until the fluid warms up a little. This is a real pain in the butt.

 

[txdon]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

AKford, which model do you have?
Some of us have had our detent stick. When this happens the float position is hard to get into. It is almost like you have to jam the joystick past the full forward position. If this happens the detent will soon stick, if it hasn't already, and the joystick will not stay in the float or full forward position. This is a warranty issue and the dealer will come out and lubricate it and it will work fine after that.

When I first got my tractor I did not know It had a float position until I accidentally pushed the joystick REALLY HARD to the front to quickly lower the bucket and then I thought I broke it when it went past the regular position and it felt like I lost all hydraulic power. I immediately tried to remember all the TBN post about the loader and then I realized I found the float position. But then the detent stuck in the open position and every time I lowered the loader it went "floppy" because it would actually be in the float position.

Hope this helps.

 

[Freds]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

I didn't know about the float on my first tractor either, but now I use it quite a bit, not only for back dragging and dropping the bucket like mentioned, but also when pushing into a pile (pea gravel in a lot of cases). I tilt the bucket back so the edge is slightly off the ground, push the stick into float and the bucket will travel along the ground without digging in. Works on snow banks you're moving, too. It comes in handy on eneven terrain or if the bucket needs to drop down when the tractor wheels are still on level ground. I think it adds more of a finnese touch when back dragging rather than applying downward pressure.

 

[rbcsaver]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

Is the float position any good for plowing snow so that I don't dig into my sone driveway?
regards,
Steve

 

[JimR]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

Absolutely. Just remember not to have the front of the bucket pointing downward. In float it will still dig in if the bucket aims downward.

 

[Freds]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

Ditto.

 

[DannyD]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

Roll the bucket backwards and use float for gravel drives especially. I use pressure on my asphalt drive, but with concrete with expansion joints this could be a problem.

 

[rbcsaver]

Re: What is the FEL \"Float\" position and where is it??

I'm sorry, I left an important part out of my question..it was late at night.

When using the (Kubota) front plow, Not the FEL for snow removal, is float the best position for my gravel diveway.

Sorry for my lack of info in the prior post.
regards,
Steve