Go Bottom

FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
jazz_man
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 9 Harrisburg, PA
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-07          79113


Hi!
I'm relatively new to the forum, trying to educate myself on the ins and outs. Can someone explain to me what a "float" position means when working the FEL and how important it is? The local Kubota dealer pointed out that his compact had a specific control stick position for float. The Mahindra 2015 that I'm seriously considering has no specific float position for the loader - is this a big deal worth consideration, or will the Mihindra float regardless?
Thanks!
Jim




Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2004-03-07          79115


Normally a loader exerts downward pressure when pushing down. The float position essentially stops the downward pressure so the bucket will "float" or follow the surface of the ground. It's useful for doing work like back-dragging a bucket edge to level soil or to scrape snow off a driveway. No idea how or if a Mahindra deals with float. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
jazz_man
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 9 Harrisburg, PA
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-07          79128


Thanks for that info- I would definately want to have that ability to float the FEL for back-dragging or especially snow removal! The dealer here in Harrisburg is new, and unfamiliar with this type feature.
Is there anyone familiar with the Mahindra 2015 that knows how they accommodate for float?
Thanks ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1333 Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2004-03-07          79166


Float is a position of the spool in the FEL valve that allows hydraulic fuid to flow between sides of the cylinder. As earlier described, no down pressure is exerted in float. Float noramlly requires a fourth position on the valve, usually with detent,(holds the valve in float position). If the tractor you are looking at doesn't have a 4 position valve, it probably doesn't have a float feature. You will be able to tell by playing with the FEL valve. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-08          79211


I think that almost all loader valves have a float feature on the lift circuit. They are extremely useful--almost to the point of a necessity.

One of the early things you'll find when you start operating a tractor is that the loader goes up and down with the front wheels and opposite the rear wheels. If a loader is used to level uneven ground it's very difficult to 'ride' the lift control well enough to end up with a surface that's more level than the original--for inexperienced operators the surfaces often are less level. The bucket will gouge a divot when if the rear wheels go over a bump. They also will gouge at the bottom of a hill since the bucket gets to the hill before the front wheels. How do I know? It's because my used tractor had the valve with float connected to the bucket rather than lift when I got it. I made a few 'interesting' early jobs till I figured it out.

The same sort of thing applies to the 3ph but virtually none of them hold down-pressure. Implements float up and over rises and are held down only by their action and weight.
....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
jazz_man
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 9 Harrisburg, PA
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-08          79269


Thanks for the followups! I've sent a note off to Mahindra with the hopes that they can answer the question with certainty. It definately sounds like a "must have" feature. Here's hoping that they respond! ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-09          79289


I sort of expect the answer from Mahindra will be that a float feature on the lift is available. If it has separate control valve handles like my Ford rather than a joy stick, the lift is put into float mode by gently pushing the control handle passed some resistance until it clicks into a detend position. The valve stays in that position when the handle is released. The lift circuit operates in float mode when the valve is in the detend position. Joysticks operate the same but there could be some confusion if the Kubota had a joystick and the Mahindra didn't.

There should be a solution because tractor manufacturers don't generally manufacture their own valves, and most valve manufacturers offer control valve sections with float as well as other special features. Anybody can just order a valve with as many control valve sections and different features as they need so it should be a problem for a tractor manufacture.

....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
Charlie_in_TX
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 12 Cypress
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-09          79336


I have a 2615. It does have the float position. I do not know about the 2015 but I suspect it does. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



FEL quot float quot

View my Photos
jazz_man
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 9 Harrisburg, PA
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2004-03-09          79363


Well, if the 2615 has it, hopefully the 2015 does as well. I would imagine Mahindra utilizes the same valve set-up in both loaders. Charlie, by the way, exactly how do you set your FEL to the float position??
....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo


   Go Top


Share This







Member Login