Who uses "float" in the linkage on 54" front blades?

[GreenTime]

I just purchased a John Deere 54" front blade for my JD 430 Garden tractor. I plan to use it for mowing snow on a very level graveled yard. It appears the lift linkage has a "float position" to allow the blade to float and does not put any down pressure on the blade. Do most of you run in the linkage in this position or the locked position? Any comments on the pros and cons of each? Thanks. Paul

 

[sargex595]

I have a 54" blade on a X595 and mainly use it in the float position. I would say I use the float position probably 99% on the time. I also have a 2006 GMC 2500 with a 7 1/2' minute mount Fisher plow but I prefer to use the X595when plowing.

 

[LBrown59]

I have a 54" blade on a X595 and mainly use it in the float position. I would say I use the float position probably 99% on the time. I also have a 2006 GMC 2500 with a 7 1/2' minute mount Fisher plow but I prefer to use the X595when plowing.

I'll take the nice warm truck over the cold cold tractor any day.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Birdlover, it will depend on the ground conditions of the gravel lot that will determine if you can run the blade in float. If it's not froze up the blade will tend to want to dig in if it is in float. If the ground is froze you can probably run the blade in float. If you have a 3pt get yourself a landscape rake it will remove the snow and not the stone.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[PILOON]

Plowing is generally a 'float' operation as you really wish to follow the contours of the drive.
Exception is the first snows on unfrozen ground when all you will do then is dig up gravel or whatever the drive topping is.
On unfrozen drives the best procedure is to back drag the snow in order to compress it and create a solid base.
Naturally that only works if the dumping is not a major event when the only solution is to raise the blade about 3" off of the drive and skim the excess off to the side and then procede with back plowing in order to build up your base.

Ideally you pray that the ground freezes prior to the first major snow event.

 

[jsb2b]

The shoes on the JD 54" blade will dig in unless the ground is as hard as concrete so the "float" position will dig in. If you angle the blade, the shoes really make a mess. I have 4500 sqft of crushed stone driveway. Until it is frozen solid, I slowly plow with the blade up about an inch, angled and the shoes are raised. Then I back-blade with it angled. Once the ground is solid, I lower the shoes so they are keeping the blade slightly off the floor. This has proven to reduce the amount of stone I have to clean up in the spring.

I was looking at installing saucer-shaped shoes on the blade but at $79 a pair plus the modification to the shoe brackets to mount them, I shelved that idea.

 

[sargex595]

I'll take the nice warm truck over the cold cold tractor any day.

I have a fender mount radio on my X595 so I put on my insulated coveralls and plug in my headphones and go out and plow my driveway and my 2 neighbors driveways and listen to the music. It gives me something to do. I still use the truck on several other driveways I do that are not that close to my house and the neighbor across the road that has a farm with about a 1/4 mile driveway with a house that is on top of a very steep hill.

 

[ragkar]

When I plow snow with a rubber cutting edge, vice the metal edge, I float my front blade.
A rubber edge works much better on slush and light snow than a metal one. But a metal one is better to remove ice.
Best of all is a eurethane edge, but that is too expensive for me.

 

[HD4010]

I use mine in float about 99% of the time. If you use any down pressure it will be harder on your linkages and you will also have less weight on the front tires and possibly difficulty steering.
Regards,
HD

 

[PILOON]

There is not a commercial made plow that has down pressure, they all work in 'float' as you want to follow the contours of the road bed.

On the other hand down pressure is handy at certain times (if used very slowly) to break loose frozen compacted ice build-ups especially during spring thaw.

Around here they sometimes use a grader with hardened steel blades that are kinda like a toothed rake to chip away hard compacted ice build-up.
That is usually after a wet snow fall that is followed by a sudden deep freeze that leaves a deeply rutted road surface that tosses your vehicle oll over the place.

Float is the only way to plow!