Why would I want or not want a "float" on a rear remote?

[sixdogs]

I'm going to add a second rear remote hydraulic valve on a tractor I have and the dealer wanted to know if I wanted a regular valve or a float valve. I do have a loader joystick and my bucket loader floats so I can back drag. I understand that use but how does float help on a rear remote? Sorry if this is dumb but my hydraulic experience is limited to simple tasks like extending or contracting a cylinder.

 

[MossRoad]

Can you think of any reason to need a float on that extra valve? What are you going to be using it for? Could it cause trouble in an operation where you'd quickly have to operate the valve handle and accidentally have NO pressure on that function, leaving the cylinder to move with gravity?

 

[MossRoad]

For example, let's say you put a cylinder in place of your top link on a boom pole. You can then not only lift the boom pole with your 3pt arms, you can angle it with the top link. So you're placing an item and adjusting the boom pole angle back and you accidentally pull the valve back into float, and the boom pole drops suddenly until it hits the limit of the cylinder.

That's the kind of thing I was thinking about. If the valve doesn't have float, you can't accidentally do that.

However, when would it be handy to have float? I can't think of a task off the top of my head, but I'd guess some TBN member will have a good example of when you'd want it.

 

[CADplans]

Possibly,, rather than float,, you need just the opposite,,

My 584 IH has a valve position that is continuously engaged.
I can run a hydraulic motor, or a remote valve for something like a woodsplitter.

Decisions,, decisions,,, :confused2:

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Float is good if you want your implement to "follow the ground."

 

[Rock Crawler]

Float is good if you want your implement to "follow the ground."

Do they not all already do this if you simply drop the 3P lever to lowest position? I know that on my Kubota it does, I drop the rear blade and the blade will walk up and down as the ground pushes it. I do that for smoothing gravel driveways, I flip the grader blade facing back away from the tractor and then I drive forward with the blade dropped totally free. When I had a finish mower I did the same thing, I just dropped the 3P and let the mower walk the ground behind me.

 

[Fallon]

I love float on my hydraulic toplink. Great for mowing, setting the box blade or LPGS level & lots of other stuff. Havent used float on the side link as much as I expected though. I hear its handy for a finish mower, which I have no need for.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Do they not all already do this if you simply drop the 3P lever to lowest position? I know that on my Kubota it does, I drop the rear blade and the blade will walk up and down as the ground pushes it. I do that for smoothing gravel driveways, I flip the grader blade facing back away from the tractor and then I drive forward with the blade dropped totally free. When I had a finish mower I did the same thing, I just dropped the 3P and let the mower walk the ground behind me.

You are right in that 3 pt equipment will do that, but a float setting on a hydraulic remote valve will allow a pulled piece of equipment lifted and operated by a hydraulic cylinder do that.

 

[LouNY]

Any piece of equipment that has a single action cylinder on it will operate easier with a float position,
many tedders and pull type (haybines) mowers, grain drills, corn planters, some disc's have single acting cylinders,
many towed pieces of equipment are used in the float mode.
My preference for remotes would be more then one with at least one with float and one with detents.

 

[TripleR]

"Float is good if you want your implement to "follow the ground."

Yes and while your whole implement will "float" if you put it in the full down position. This however allows the front of your rotary cutter, box scraper etc. to dig in. Float in your top-link allows you to keep the front at the desired position allowing it to rotate on your lower lift pins allowing the rear wheel on a rotary cutter to stay on the ground. Box scraper lets the rear to float to smooth dirt etc.

As mentioned, side link is often used little, but for others it's great. I didn't get a float on my top and tilt; wish I had.