Brand New 1723 popping out of float mode

MXD · Feb 3, 2021

I have 8 hours on my new 1723 and from minute 1 itç—´ been popping out of float mode. My dealer says theyè‡´e been doing this for years and his fix is to disconnect the lower hose on the quick attach cylinder (we were talking about my 2360), plug it and drill a relief hole in it so itç—´ always in float. IçŸ¥ less than please about that suggestion. I asked what the fix would be for when IçŸ¥ running the loader. He said åœŸou donç¨š use float with the loader. You should always have down force when youæ±*e back dragging

Anyway, Iè‡´e been looking around the internet and it looks like this is somewhat common and there is possibly a fix? My local dealer isnç¨š even willing to look into it. Itç—´ drill it or live with it.

Is anyone else in the same boat or aware of a fix?

IçŸ¥ not off to a good start with this purchase. This was supposed to be fun but all the fun is sucked out of it. What a ****** feeling.

coolconnection · Feb 3, 2021

Yup same here. I had my dealer look at my tractor just for this problem. Nothing they can do. I had a third function installed and the new control handle extension was to tall. I shortened it and that helped a little. They told me there wasn’t a fix for it. I see for brands like kubota they just have to take a cover off and grease it good. Wish it was that easy. Service tech said if I really need it, hook a bungee cord up to it to hold it there.

irvingj · Feb 4, 2021

Yeah -- bungee cord seems to be the only fix, but I've simply learned to hold the lever forward as I'm blowing snow and need the float, steering with my left hand (a "suicide knob" helps a lot here). Not bad once you get used to it, really.

MXD · Feb 4, 2021

I found some info in a MF SCUT user group on Facebook. Apparently, according to a poster who works at a dealership in the Midwest, there is now a repair kit for this issue. He posted the following picture

The repair kit is labeled SET3 and the part number is 7082885M1. There was another comment below that one from a service tech at a different dealer who said he just received the same kit “today” (which was a couple of days ago) for a customer and he was about to install it. Maybe there is hope.

RickB · Feb 4, 2021

That looks to be an effort to directly correct a weak detent mechanism. A complete replacement of the assembly.

MXD · Feb 4, 2021

I have some new info from the tech who installed the fix.

"it's not technically a warranty thing yet... it may be in the future.. sadly not yet....dealer who sold it might be nice though and cover it maybe. we used it on paved driveway and it didnt kick out with that"

He said the kit was $150CAN

jeepcj7 · Feb 4, 2021

Agree there is an improvement kit for it - not sure on the cost or warranty. Maybe ask your dealer to contact MF if he isn't aware of it yet.

irvingj · Feb 5, 2021

That looks like it might work -- when I first encountered that issue I took the whole thing apart to see how it worked. My conclusion was that there was simply insufficient pressure from the snap ring in the bottom around the mating groove in the plunger to hold it there... so maybe new/different parts in that area will fix it. (Note those pics were taken in 2008 -- not long after I bought my 2310!)

MXD · Feb 5, 2021

jeepcj7 said:
Agree there is an improvement kit for it - not sure on the cost or warranty. Maybe ask your dealer to contact MF if he isn't aware of it yet.

My dealer is zero help. They refuse to call MF because “they’ve always been like that”. Their solution is to plug the second line on the cylinder and drill a relief hole so it won’t hold pressure. That doesn’t address the loader though. Their response to that was “who floats a loader anyway”. I’ve contacted a second dealer but they’ve never heard of the issue. I’m trying to build a relationship with them to see if they can help. I didn’t buy it from them so I understand the position that puts me in. This entire purchasing experience has bummed me out. Took the fun right out of it.

lpakiz · Feb 5, 2021

Their response to that was Who floats a loader anyway?

A dealer said that? Are you kidding? I am over 70 years old and ran Caterpillar endloaders (3 to 7 yard machines, like 988s) in my 20s. I now own my third or fourth ag type tractor with a FEL and I have used float in every one of them, including my currant 1754 with front mounted snow blower.
The blower is operated in float about 99% of the time I am moving forward.
When doing dirt work, float is used extensively to back drag and rough in an area.
If I move snow with the FEL, like early in the season, float is used to drag snow back from doors and other places, so you can get behind it to push it or load the bucket to haul it.
If your dealer says something like that, i would be surprised if he has over an hour of real seat time.
Your dealer is unbelievable. Too bad you can not find a real one.