4520 - engaging bucket float not working

[MTRON]

Last winter engaging bucket float to push snow around worked fine. The first chance to push snow this year was a couple of days ago and even though it feels like I am engaging float when pushing the handle forward, the bucket is not floating and is tearing up my gravel driveway. Is there any sort of adjustment to engaging float possible/needed? Anything I should evaluate that might be causing this? Thanks in advance!

 

[s219]

Is the tractor stored in freezing conditions? If so, you may have ice down in the float detent cap which is preventing the valve from going all the way into float. This is a common place for water to accumulate and if it freezes this problem can occur.

Normally, floating the bucket will still tear up gravel so even if it was working I am not sure this is the best way to clear snow.

 

[ruffdog]

Do you feel it go far enough to be held by the detent?

 

[Bavarian]

If you keep the cutting edge in an aggressive angle, it will dig in even in float.

 

[MTRON]

Yes, stored in cold barn. I suppose I could heat the area it's stored in to see if that makes a difference. It feels as though when I move the lever forward to engage float it 'clicks' into place and I can feel it come out of the float position when I pull lever backward. When the ground is good and frozen, pushing snow has 'worked' for the most part, but this year has not been consistently cold enough to freeze the ground solid. Agree, a different setup for dealing with snow would be ideal!

 

[s219]

You should easily be able to test if float is working by lifting the bucket off the ground 3-4" then engage float. If it drops to the ground then it's working.

 

[MTRON]

Will test float as you suggest. If that proves successful, I will look elsewhere for root cause by looking in the mirror. Many thanks to all who replied!

 

[ruffdog]

If I was using the bucket to move snow, I would buy Edge Tamers to keep the bucket from digging in.

R2 Manufacturing - Home Of The Edge Tamer

 

[MTRON]

Perfect - thanks for that recommendation!