CK20 FEL Float questions

[RPMWFO]

I've got a 2007 CK20 TLB. I rigged up a snow pusher to the FEL for clearing the snow we keep getting this week off the drive. When I push the FEL into the float position, the loader picks the front tires right off the ground. Am I missing something here. I would think the float would just drop the bucket to the ground with no down pressure.

Any ideas?

 

[IslandTractor]

Float position shouldn't lift front tires obviously. Are you pushing the lever far enough? It takes a solid push to overcome a detent.

 

[RPMWFO]

I push it past the detent. The lever stays in the forward position. Definitely picks the front end up. Haven't really had the need for float so far so I guess I never noticed it until I was clearing snow.

 

[Dmace]

Does it pick up the front end while at a stand still or do you mean while your driving?

I tried putting my loader in "float" and pushing the snow with my bucket and whenever the bucket lip would catch something the front end would immediately come up as the bucket stopped but the tractor was still moving. I found if I curled the bucket a little it wouldn't do it but your snow pusher probably can't curl.

 

[IslandTractor]

I push it past the detent. The lever stays in the forward position. Definitely picks the front end up. Haven't really had the need for float so far so I guess I never noticed it until I was clearing snow.

When you say it picks the front up, is it a little or the same as if you intentionally tried to lift the front up by a foot or do by using the loader? A little bump up might occur while moving to the float position if done slowly. I'm guessing that is not the case. If the lever is in the float position it should allow the tractor to settle back down by itself. If it keeps the tractor front elevated then the float is not working.

 

[Gittyup]

If the bucket is fairly high and you put it in float, you should note a markedly slower drop than when pushing the bucket down with hydraulics (at say 1500 rpms). If working properly, the bucket should bleed down slowly under only force of gravity when in the float position.

It could be that the bleed off is very slow causing the front of the tractor to raise a bit, depending on how you are testing it.

The tractor will ride up onto the arms when moving forward if the floating bucket encounters resistance.

 

[mpham]

Mine pics the wheels off the ground and then the front drops every time I use float. I have tried doing it fast and slow.

 

[VictorW]

Mine pics the wheels off the ground and then the front drops every time I use float. I have tried doing it fast and slow.

Try pushing the lever into the float position when the bucket is about a foot off the ground. This should give you enough distance so it will go into float before the hydraulics have a chance of pushing the bucket down to the ground. And, don't worry about the bucket dropping fast. It won't as Gittyup mentioned.

If it's hard to get into float, the spool might be stiff when going into it's case/cap. Look at the control valve under you right floor board. The outer silver colored long cap on the front of the control valve is for the up/down/float. The inside one is for the curl function. Two small screws hold the cap on. Take the cap off and check for any corrosion or rust. You'll find the end of the spool shaft, a spring and then three small balls that are locked into place at the end of the cap. Mine became stiff and I found this rust/corrosion problem thanks to the knowledge of other members here. Clean everything up and apply a liberal amount of grease in the cap and spring. When I replaced the cap, I used a small amount of silicone seal on the face of the cap where it mates with the control valve to keep out any moisture. Mine has been working perfect ever since the cleanup.

 

[DMW]

If it's hard to get into float, the spool might be stiff when going into it's case/cap. Look at the control valve under you right floor board. The outer silver colored long cap on the front of the control valve is for the up/down/float. The inside one is for the curl function. Two small screws hold the cap on. Take the cap off and check for any corrosion or rust. You'll find the end of the spool shaft, a spring and then three small balls that are locked into place at the end of the cap. Mine became stiff and I found this rust/corrosion problem thanks to the knowledge of other members here. Clean everything up and apply a liberal amount of grease in the cap and spring. When I replaced the cap, I used a small amount of silicone seal on the face of the cap where it mates with the control valve to keep out any moisture. Mine has been working perfect ever since the cleanup.

Most likely your problem. Also check the screw that holds the spring on the end of the spool. If it loosens off, it can cause what your describing. I'll add a couple pics from a MF2300 detent that shows the damage rust can do for comparison. Both valves were only 4-5 years old. The first had no detent and raised the front of the tractor, caused by loose screw. The second had no detent due to corrosion.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...11-joystick-float-gc2300-nimco-lift-spool.jpg
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...1d1229795511-joystick-float-10_19_06-006b.jpg

 

[rimshot]

The only time I use float is when I am going in reverse and dragging the front bucket to smooth some gravel, black dirt or sand.

You can't just slowly put the float on you have to snap it down into float position. I'm not talking about power dropping your bucket from six feet in the air. Just lower bucket to with in 6 " of the ground and snap it down so the valve does not have time to sense that you intend to bench press the front of the tractor. if it does happpen to raise slightly it quickly gets the picture when yoiu slip through to the detent for float.

My description is based on going in reverse and floating off something like black dirt or gravel with a FEL bucket for the sake of smooth the surface. I don't know about using the float position with a snow blade while pushing forward.

bs5