"Float" position for FEL

[NewClimber]

I have a B7100 manual with what a Kubota FEL (sorry don't know the model at this moment). I can't seem to put the controls for the FEL into "float" position. I have the owners manual and it says how to do it but it will not go. Could the control just have an issue?? Is there maybe somekind of lock that is not allowing it to pull all the way back???

If I wanted to replace it, what specs do I need to get a replacement??

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...

 

[bigdad]

There are several threads here on TBN about problems with Floating Fels. I think that you will find them pretty informative and pretty simple as far as fixing your problem. Much better than I could describe it.

Good luck. BD

 

[Thomas]

If the loader 1630C..check where the joy stick connects to spool..pin/pins could cause the problem..happen to me.

 

[Jimbrown]

"somekind of lock that is not allowing it to pull all the way back???"

Ain't you supposed to be pushing it all the way FORWARD.

 

[TripleR]

Some are foward and some are backward.

YouTube - How to Float your Kubota's Front End Loader

 

[NewClimber]

I was looking at my control valve this morning...I see where one of the levers goes up further then the other (the lever for to raise and lower the bucket)...but it is not locking in place. What I am thinking if happening, is I push it all the way forward, but what ever is wrong it will not lock in place so I it is not staying in the float position.

I am going to test this today or tomorrow by holding it in the forward position and go down the drive. I am thinking I should be able to see the bucket float??

If this is so, is there any way to take the control valve apart??? Not sure if it help but the loader is a model KUB219 for a B7100 tractor..

Thanks for the help everyone...

 

[General Lee]

Anyone know if Kubota's LA504 FEL has a float option?

 

[gwdixon]

I was looking at my control valve this morning...I see where one of the levers goes up further then the other (the lever for to raise and lower the bucket)...but it is not locking in place. What I am thinking if happening, is I push it all the way forward, but what ever is wrong it will not lock in place so I it is not staying in the float position.

I am going to test this today or tomorrow by holding it in the forward position and go down the drive. I am thinking I should be able to see the bucket float??

If this is so, is there any way to take the control valve apart??? Not sure if it help but the loader is a model KUB219 for a B7100 tractor..

Thanks for the help everyone...

None of my tractors have ever "locked" in the float position (despite the video in the previous post). The lever has to be held but the curl or dump functioning will still work while the lever is held in float. But then, all of them have had a float position.

The control lever mount should have a metal flap that can be flipped into position to prevent accidentally going too far and engaging float when it is not wanted. If you have one of those metal flaps then the FEL has a float position. If not, it could or could not have float.

 

[kevinj]

None of my tractors have ever "locked" in the float position (despite the video in the previous post). The lever has to be held but the curl or dump functioning will still work while the lever is held in float. But then, all of them have had a float position.

You have something wrong. ALL of mine lock into float and if they did not the dealer would have been be fixing it in warranty.

 

[Chilly807]

You have something wrong. ALL of mine lock into float and if they did not the dealer would have been be fixing it in warranty.

Ditto.. mine locks into float mode no problem, you just push it past the "down" position fairly briskly and it locks in the detent. Now, if the ball in the detent was rusty or sticking, or had a broken spring, it might cause a problem.

 

[J_J]

To test the FEL for float, push the levers forward and raise the front wheels off the ground, and then push the levers all the way forward and see if the front wheels will fall back to ground. If so, you have a float mode, and should lock in float. I believe in float mode, all ports for that valve is open to tank, and therefore the cylinders will float.

 

[bill in ny]

gw, you're loaders should lock in float position. or something is wrong with the valve.

 

[NSBound]

This TBN is a wonderful thing . I never knew what 'float" was and my dealer of course never mentioned it when I took delivery 4 months ago, and I didn't see it in the Owner's Manual, so after reading this thread I went and checked and INDEEDY my new tractor does have a float position! Now I'll be able to try THAT out when we get a good snowfall!

 

[gwdixon]

gw, you're loaders should lock in float position. or something is wrong with the valve.

Hmmm...now you all have me thinking. It may be my technique since I hold the float position so the bucket can be slightly curled or dumped to change the angle of attack and still remain in float. Actually, the technique is done in reverse for smoothing gravel or dirt. Not much snow in California's Central Valley.

When it gets light I'll have to check it out. Thank for the input and as NSBound said, "TBN is a wonderful thing."

 

[bill in ny]

gw, raise your bucket a couple of feet off of the ground. you should be able to push your joystick forward into float position and let go of the joystick. the bucket will slowly drop to the ground. (float position)

 

[bill in ny]

when it's in float, you can still grab the joystick and curl or dump the bucket, then let go of the joystick again. you don't have to keep your hand on the joystick when in float position.

 

[JTPass]

Anyone know if Kubota's LA504 FEL has a float option?

I have a B3200 with a LA 504 Loader and it most certainly does have a float position. Push the control hard forward and it will lock into float until you pull it back and release the detent.

Jim in NH

 

[NewClimber]

Excellent information...thank you...

After reading and looking at my setup, I do definitely have a float position but my control valve will not lock into float. If I push the level up (towards the bucket down position), part way, it will push the bucket down until it lift the front wheel off the ground. Then if I push a little further it will drop the front wheel back down...but again, there is no position between down and float....This is also why I having problems digging with my loader...I usually just push all the way to the down position, but this really is the float position...

So my question now, can I fix the control valve???? If I can't and need to purchase a new valve, how do I know which valve to get?? All my manual says is "Valve, 2-spool, 1000PSI....part number KU10445.

Reading some of the other posts it seems I would need to know the vol of flow though the valve...maybe in GPM.....

Any suggestions or either repairing it or replacing it??

 

[kennyd]

Some Kubota's had a problem with water getting in the detent portion of the valve-it's the long cap looking thing bolted to the end of the valve opposite the joystick. There a balls in there that get rusty causing the "lack of float" problems you are having. Drilling a drain hole and packing with grease is the solution.

 

[bigdad]

Excellent information...thank you...

After reading and looking at my setup, I do definitely have a float position but my control valve will not lock into float. If I push the level up (towards the bucket down position), part way, it will push the bucket down until it lift the front wheel off the ground. Then if I push a little further it will drop the front wheel back down...but again, there is no position between down and float....This is also why I having problems digging with my loader...I usually just push all the way to the down position, but this really is the float position...

So my question now, can I fix the control valve???? If I can't and need to purchase a new valve, how do I know which valve to get?? All my manual says is "Valve, 2-spool, 1000PSI....part number KU10445.

Reading some of the other posts it seems I would need to know the vol of flow though the valve...maybe in GPM.....

Any suggestions or either repairing it or replacing it??

-----------------
Kennyd Nailed it right there.