4720 SCV Float mode?

[Karl2]

Hi, new guy here

A month ago I purchased a 2005 4720 with 600 hours for snow removal purposes, used it to this effect for the first time today. I have a question about the float mode, the manual says that pushing the SCV full forward will engage float mode however when I do that the bucket maintains pressure against the ground, I mean it's straining to lift the front wheels off the ground. Now that don't feel like no float mode to me, and I have to inch down the bucket and keep adjusting height as I move along which is impractical to put it mildly, slows work down to a crawl. Am I doing something wrong or could there be a problem with hydraulics?

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

Getting the SCV into float mode takes a little practice...Here is how to do it:

Start with the bucket at about 4' off the ground to prevent wheelies, then with a sharp-fast-and hard motion push the joystick forward and it should "snap" into the float detent and remain there. The first few times you try it you will probably not push it hard enough for fear of breaking it but fear not-it will go. To release the float just pull back the stick slightly and all will be normal.

After a little practice it becomes second nature and you can do it with the bucket on the ground.

 

[GoodGuy]

When you push forward you need to snap it hard to get past the detent. Once you do this the first time you'll see how easy it is. Everything should be good.

 

[RogerH]

To engage float you have to move the valve spool past a catch (called a "detent" in hydraulics terminology) at the end of the loader lower spool movement. To do this, push the joystick forward to lower the loader to the ground, then give the joystick a quick hard snap further forward. It should then stick in that position by itself until you pull it back. You will then be in float mode.

You can practice this with the tractor off and the loader on the ground to get the feel of it.

 

[Karl2]

Wow, talk about fast service!

Really appreciate the tips, gonna practice "floats" tomorrow first thing. I suspected I was doing something wrong, or that maybe I had inadvertently engaged some little-known locking feature that prevented float. It's my first JD

And thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[JB4310]

Karl,
The float question comes up a few times a year, very common.
The trick is like kenny said have the bucket up off the ground (unless your practicing with the engine off like Roger mentioned) cause as you found out with the bucket on the ground while your passing the forward motion on the stick your pushing down the bucket and raising the front, then if you do get it in float the front end comes crashing down hard which might further discourage beginners.

I've found the only use for float is snow removal, which is a big part of what I do with my tractor and I use it constantly during that task.

The first time I used my tractor in the snow I had a terrible time as I to didn't know how to use the float feature, dug up mounds of gravel and grass.

Good luck and Welcome, JB.

 

[jgrreed]

Does the 3rd SCV have a float detent as well??

-J.

 

[kennyd]

Does the 3rd SCV have a float detent as well??

-J.

No, it does not...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Does the 3rd SCV have a float detent as well??

Kenny, Yes the 3rd SCV Does have a float, I know I use it often with my HTL...

I was also gonna mention to Karl...I see you have a cab model, IF you find you cant get your loader into the Float Mode, check the cables, they need to be adjusted properly....
Same goes for the 3rd SCV, in the instructions (at least on the cab models) it clearly stated how to adjust the cable & lever so the 3rd scv would hit the Float Detent...

This has been discussed many times in other threads dealing with Blending of the loader functions, the general consensus is that the Cab models have a Valve Bank which has blending/float on the 3rd scv, etc...Karl, I suspect your cables might not be adjusted, my cabbed machine and another one I've used go into float mode very easily...nothing like what was described.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Spudland_Dave,so what you are saying is that if you push the 3rd SCV lever all the way to the front it goes in float?

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Karl2]

Kenny, Yes the 3rd SCV Does have a float, I know I use it often with my HTL...

I was also gonna mention to Karl...I see you have a cab model, IF you find you cant get your loader into the Float Mode, check the cables, they need to be adjusted properly....
Same goes for the 3rd SCV, in the instructions (at least on the cab models) it clearly stated how to adjust the cable & lever so the 3rd scv would hit the Float Detent...

This has been discussed many times in other threads dealing with Blending of the loader functions, the general consensus is that the Cab models have a Valve Bank which has blending/float on the 3rd scv, etc...Karl, I suspect your cables might not be adjusted, my cabbed machine and another one I've used go into float mode very easily...nothing like what was described.

Thanks, I have an Error 8 (not a big deal but I'd like to clear it) so I was going to probe under panels anyway, will take a look at cables as well. However out of curiosity I pushed the SCV lever without starting the engine this morning and float mode appears to have engaged since the loader went "limp" so to speak.

Third SCV... now that you mention it I was wondering what was the purpose of that lever?

Also there's three switches on the side console (see pic below) I have no idea what they're for? I find the JD manual to be somewhat cryptic about their purpose. I figured that the switch with a red light and a book locks the SCV which is good since the lever that's supposed to do this just that (under the main SCV lever) won't budge, at least not with normal human muscle input. Obviously previous owner never used it and it must have jammed. Only annoyance is that Regen is locked on forever.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Spudland_Dave,so what you are saying is that if you push the 3rd SCV lever all the way to the front it goes in float?

Sincerely, Dirt

Precisely what happens....

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Thanks, I have an Error 8 (not a big deal but I'd like to clear it) so I was going to probe under panels anyway, will take a look at cables as well. However out of curiosity I pushed the SCV lever without starting the engine this morning and float mode appears to have engaged since the loader went "limp" so to speak.

Third SCV... now that you mention it I was wondering what was the purpose of that lever?

Also there's three switches on the side console (see pic below) I have no idea what they're for? I find the JD manual to be somewhat cryptic about their purpose. I figured that the switch with a red light and a book locks the SCV which is good since the lever that's supposed to do this just that (under the main SCV lever) won't budge, at least not with normal human muscle input. Obviously previous owner never used it and it must have jammed. Only annoyance is that Regen is locked on forever.

I'm gonna guess your on the US Side of the border because it appears the idiots at Theriault have worked on your tractor...The switches used on your console arent even for a 3x20 or 4x20 Series tractor, those switches are from the 6/7xxx series tractors...Not to mention, they arent correctly positioned. The cruise switches should be up alongside the glass, the PTO engagement switch should be closest to you in the bottom bank of switches...

The switches you circled are for the "enhanced cruise" I dont have it on mine (yet ) so I cant tell you how they work...
The switch with the book and the litte "Gear" above the 3 you circled is supposed to be for the hydraulic Diverter...(divert your 2 loader circuits to the rear)

Here is a pic of the console "From the Factory" I personally installed the rear SCV, Rear Work Lights & Rear Wiper, and I installed them 100% as per the instructions...
Dirt...I made sure the pic demonstrated the Float Position on the 3rd SCV....The Decal incuded with the 3rd SCV Kit even shows the float position on it..

 

[Karl2]

I'm gonna guess your on the US Side of the border because it appears the idiots at Theriault have worked on your tractor...The switches used on your console arent even for a 3x20 or 4x20 Series tractor, those switches are from the 6/7xxx series tractors...Not to mention, they arent correctly positioned. The cruise switches should be up alongside the glass, the PTO engagement switch should be closest to you in the bottom bank of switches...

The switches you circled are for the "enhanced cruise" I dont have it on mine (yet ) so I cant tell you how they work...
The switch with the book and the litte "Gear" above the 3 you circled is supposed to be for the hydraulic Diverter...(divert your 2 loader circuits to the rear)

Here is a pic of the console "From the Factory" I personally installed the rear SCV, Rear Work Lights & Rear Wiper, and I installed them 100% as per the instructions...

Notice taken, will reposition switches as per manual. I'd rather do this than have an eventual buyer keep calling me about improperly placed switches should I ever sell the machine. I was going to mod the work lights switch config anyway (I want to run the front work lights from the beacon switch rather than from the awkward main switch) so may as well redo the whole console at the same time. Got a 5-day weekend on my hands.

"Enhanced Cruise" uh? Would that be what the manual refers to as the "Automotive Cruise Control" option? No friggin' idea what it does, to me cruise control on a utility tractor is best left pretty basic: shift tranny to C, press forward pedal, reach hair-raising 16mph velocity, press cruise switch and drive until you need to hit the brakes. What more could one need? Now with three different cruise switches chances of hitting the wrong one increases threefold.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

...to me cruise control on a utility tractor is best left pretty basic: shift tranny to C, press forward pedal, reach hair-raising 16mph velocity, press cruise switch and drive until you need to hit the brakes.

ROFL!
But yeah, its the automotive cruise..The basic cruise just locks a speed in...the Automotive allows you to resume, set a max speed, Accel/Decel, etc..

 

[wkpoor]

I scanned this thread quickly and may have missed some posts but my 5400 had the same problem where it wouldn't go into float. Everyone said it was technique. It was not. I found the detent balls on the spool valve were rusted in the cover housing. $100.00 kit from Deere to fix it. It goes in easy no and no trick to it.

 

[Karl2]

ROFL!
But yeah, its the automotive cruise..The basic cruise just locks a speed in...the Automotive allows you to resume, set a max speed, Accel/Decel, etc..

For someone like me attempting to use this would surely trigger a chain of events that would result in the tractor being completely out of control, guaranteed

Damage caused so far: nicked Mrs McCready's front porch (luckily she's in Florida until May, I have time to have it fixed), knocked down two mailboxes (including mine) and one fence (also mine). I had not used a tractor for a decade and my previous tractor was a relatively tiny 28hp. 4720 is comparatively QUITE larger, takes some getting used to

 

[kennyd]

Kenny, Yes the 3rd SCV Does have a float, I know I use it often with my HTL...

I stand (actually sit) corrected! I know the 4x00 series did NOT have the float, and I did not think the 3x20 series did either. Is this possibly only with the cabbed models?

 

[dirtworksequip]

Spudland_Dave, thanks for pointing out the float on the control lever on the rear 3rd SCV. I didn't know that one. Not sure it will get used in any of my applications, but it's still nice to know its there. Thanks again.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Cidertom]

I stand (actually sit) corrected! I know the 4x00 series did NOT have the float, and I did not think the 3x20 series did either. Is this possibly only with the cabbed models?

I have an open 4520. The 3rd SCV has float. Mostly I use it to unload the 4in1 bucket for disconnect.

Also I have to gently push my joystick to get the float on the loader, not jab/slam/?? as others have.