M7040 float control?

[Delta Dave]

I got my new M7040 Friday, sorry forgot to bring the camera, but I was running the bush hog and trying to float it. My understanding is that if I put the draft control and position control levers all the way forward, the cutter should just float along behind me. Instead it seemed to want to try and dig, so I stop quickly, tried to make sure they were all the way forward, but again it cut deep. So I stopped and just used it by controllng the height manually. Was I doing something wrong, do I understand "floating" correctly?

The only other thing is I was on a bumpy area, so maybe that caused it to hit earth, unfortunately I did not try to do it again in a level area. Was this possibly my only problem?

Thanks for the help.

 

[john_bud]

Draft control is for ground engaging equipment like a plow or disc. It raises up if there is too much pull. You wouldn't use it for a cutter.

 

[Delta Dave]

I know that, but the manual says to move both levers all the way forward to float.

 

[Modn]

Technically it is floating as all 3ph do with the exception of a few I'm sure. It will have to ride on the ground and it would skid along as any cutter would do. Basically if your back wheels of your tractor went into a 2' deep creek or ditch suddenly, the cutter "floating" will move the 3ph up without ever touching the lever, then go back to riding along the ground as you came out of it. If it did not your tires would be high and dry. If you have it set to be 6" off of the ground it technically isn't floating as you are mechanically holding it up, But I run all the time with it in the 6" off the ground position and let it go at that, but will still float if I hit some really uneven ground. Think of it like your front end loader, if you have one, if you put it in float mode it will have the bucket riding along the ground going up and down with the hard ground. Put down pressure on it and then you are no longer floating. 3ph (vast majority) do not have down pressure.

 

[john_bud]

I know that, but the manual says to move both levers all the way forward to float.

I still am sticking to not using that feature for a cutter. The cutter should have a free swinging top link that will allow the cutter to pivot when you go over dips and hills. You set the top link extra long so there is "slack" in the top link connection point.

Could be wrong or missing some of the nicer features of your tractor, but...

jb

 

[davewade]

Not all remotes have a float dent. It is an option that varies depending on the remote.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Not all remotes have a float dent. It is an option that varies depending on the remote.

Are you now talking about rear remotes having the float function? The 3pt hitch on the Kubota M7040 is ALWAYS in float. The ONLY time that it will not move in the upward direction is when it is raised to it's upper most position with the position control lever. The Position Control is how you control how far down the 3pt will move. It will ALWAYS move in the upward direction unless it is already at it's upper most position.

Kubota rear remotes have the option of having the float function which will allow a hydraulic on an implement or a top and tilt cylinder to freely move in both directions. I thought that we were dealing with the 3pt hitch though?

 

[gwdixon]

You may have to use higher holes on your 3PH lift arms (the vertical struts - whatever they are called) to get the front of the hog off the ground but still being in "float". The 3PH lever and the draft control lever should be all the way forward (OFF).

Getting the hog set correctly may also involve adjusting the rear wheel up or down. The deck should just slightly be tilted toward the tractor from horizontal.

It sounds like you are running the hog fully on the ground and thus on the front skids. They will wear very rapidly in that position and probably should be hardfaced. If you can adjust things, like the vertical struts, so the skids are barely off of the ground, and the 3PH still in float, it will work better.

It is the weight of the hog, the condition of the ground (soft), and the horizontal deck angle that is causing most of the digging in problems from what was described.

As others have said, the 3PH in the upward direction is always in float regardless of the lever positions. The downward float is when the 3PH lever is all the way forward. You are going to have to work within those parameters to get the results you want by making other adjustments.

Edit:

Just saw this. It may be an alternate solution to your issue. Works to hold the front of the hog off of the ground and still be in float. Pretty simple and clever. See post #18.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/215499-long-48-brush-hog-bx25-2.html

 

[TripleR]

If you have your 3PH all the way forward, your cutter is going to "float" drag on the ground. Look at your cutter manual, decide your desired cut height and adjust your cutter and 3PH stop to match that height. Your manual will show you the proper angle of the rotating pivot hitch (45 degrees on Land Pride) deck angle and such.

I agree, no need to involve the draft control while using a cutter. Read your tractor manual on its proper use.

Good luck.

 

[gwdixon]

If you have your 3PH all the way forward, your cutter is going to "float" drag on the ground. Look at your cutter manual, decide your desired cut height and adjust your cutter and 3PH stop to match that height. Your manual will show you the proper angle of the rotating pivot hitch (45 degrees on Land Pride) deck angle and such.

I agree, no need to involve the draft control while using a cutter. Read your tractor manual on its proper use.

Good luck.

Triple R explained it better than I did.

If you don't want the hog to scrape the ground then you should set the 3PH to hold it slightly off the ground. You will still have float upwards but a lower limit will be established.

If you go into a slight depression then the hog will follow the contour.

If you go over a slight hill then the chains or clevis on the hog will allow it to follow the contour to a point. In extreme circumstances it will lift the tail wheel off of the ground.