Snow Equipment Owning/Operating First time using Float position

[topstoy]

I have a JD 2520 CUT that I just put on a Snow plow attachment on the FEL (CX200). I am suppose to keep the implement level and use float. I am finding that in the float position if I lightly snag anything or try to plow over loose gravel that the blade will stop and the front tires will lift way off the ground. if I stop, I will eventually drift back to ground with the tires but very slow. The question is, being that I had never used the float feature, is this typical with new and as the more I use it the less powerful it will be? At this point it really isn't floating. After an hour or so it did seem to be a bit better but when I went up a slight grade my front end would lift again and I would have to back up to lower. Almost a bind that I am getting in where the float won't protect me. I just spent 2,000 on this new attachment and at this point I hate it and did a better job using my bucket and dumping frequently. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Parkanzky]

I have a JD 2032R and used it to clear a couple inches of slush off the drive yesterday and then used the front-mount snowblower to clear the drive this afternoon. I used float in both situations and mine doesn't act like that at all. If I lower the bucket until it is lifting the front tires off the ground and then kick it into float, the tractor will drop down onto the tires in a second or so. If I drive in float, even at full-speed in low range into the steep part of our drive, the bucket will follow the contours of the drive with no problem.

If yours isn't acting like that, there's probably a restriction in the valve or some other issue.

 

[s219]

Doesn't the plow have a trip mechanism??? Be sure it is unlocked and allowed to trip. The plow should trip forward when encountering obstacles, to avoid exactly the situation you describe. Some plows give the option to lock the trip for use when grading soft dirt, but you don't want it locked for plowing snow.

 

[s219]

BTW, Re: using a front bucket: float or not, if you angle a front bucket so that the edge digs in, it can certainly stop the tractor and lift the front wheels. The trick to using a front bucket with float is to curl to keep that front cutting edge off the ground slightly, letting the heel of the bucket ride on the ground. There is no such option with a snow plow other than setting the skid shoes real high and hoping for the best, which is why a trip mechanism is so critical.

 

[topstoy]

Doesn't the plow have a trip mechanism??? Be sure it is unlocked and allowed to trip. The plow should trip forward when encountering obstacles, to avoid exactly the situation you describe. Some plows give the option to lock the trip for use when grading soft dirt, but you don't want it locked for plowing snow.

Yes I have it unlocked and actually hung up one time and the blade pivoted all the way forward, as it should. Big springs on it stretched out all the way. But this float thing just doesn't seem right. I will plow again in the morning and see if it loosens up some. Thanks for the reply!

 

[topstoy]

I have a JD 2032R and used it to clear a couple inches of slush off the drive yesterday and then used the front-mount snowblower to clear the drive this afternoon. I used float in both situations and mine doesn't act like that at all. If I lower the bucket until it is lifting the front tires off the ground and then kick it into float, the tractor will drop down onto the tires in a second or so. If I drive in float, even at full-speed in low range into the steep part of our drive, the bucket will follow the contours of the drive with no problem.

If yours isn't acting like that, there's probably a restriction in the valve or some other issue.

That's kind of what I was thinking!

 

[s219]

Yes I have it unlocked and actually hung up one time and the blade pivoted all the way forward, as it should. Big springs on it stretched out all the way. But this float thing just doesn't seem right. I will plow again in the morning and see if it loosens up some. Thanks for the reply!

I guess the only other thing I can suggest is to make sure the loader curl angle is set right. If set too far back, I can see how that would make things worse. Good luck!

 

[tcreeley]

My plow does that. I get around it by tipping the plow forward. Then plow slides over the ground more than it wants to hook on something. I don't bother with my float. I scrape the ground clean this way.

 

[topstoy]

I will try some different angles in the morning. Thanks Guys!

 

[Notforhire]

I had a similar experience with rigid mounted snow plows using float. For that reason I prefer the plow to be suspended by a chain, like it is when mounted on a truck. You adjust the loader arms until you have the angle you want, and leave slack in the chain. The plow is free to follow the contour of the ground.
Here is a friends plow rig under construction. When completed the chain was hung on hooks at the top of the SS attachment plate.

 

[kennyd]

This is a common problem for FEL plows on smaller tractors, espesially rigid ones, just not enough weight on the tractors front end to hold it down. The ones suspended on chain seem to work better as described above.

 

[topstoy]

This is a common problem for FEL plows on smaller tractors, espesially rigid ones, just not enough weight on the tractors front end to hold it down. The ones suspended on chain seem to work better as described above.

KennyD
Yes, I was thinking about it last night. It is like it is on the merge of pulling a wheelie and all it needs is a little friction on the front to allow it to come up since there is free play with the float position. I think I would be better off coming out of float for the up hill push. It's too bad as this was such an expensive investment, would liked to think that it would be a perfect set-up. Thanks for the advice, Ken

 

[SweBota]

The FEL acts as a lever and wants to raise the front of the tractor. Also, in float all the weight of the FEL is on the plow and not on the tractor, thats why chain setups can work better, then only the plow floats.

That's why plows are better on front mounts (that attaches to a point LOWER than the rear axles) than on FEL arms.



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BR /Marcus

 

[PILOON]

The pusher arms need to be parallel to the ground.
If they are slanted downwards than any resistance, including a load of snow, will want to raise the tractor front end.
The other way, sloping upwards and the plow will ride up over the snow.

Problem is tractors generally sit high off of the ground so the push arms just about always slope downwards which in turn literally jacks the front end of your typical CUT.

Notice that a truck plow always has 2-3 holes to pin the plow onto a truck, that is to attain the correct angle.
On my tractor I made a sub frame to attach my plow to assure that 'parallel push'. I can load up so much snow that I only stop when I have totally lost traction and that is with loaded tires and ice chains plus my rear mounted blower.

Also look at where the FEL arms pivot points are, nice and high, so don't ask why your blade digs in.
On a heavy tractor all that counts much less but on CUTs it does matter.

On a CUT the ideal solution would be 2 long ladder like tube rigged sort of like a ladder that would anchored onto the rear axle.
With that you'd never dig in and also would retain reasonable steering as the front would always have decent weight.

 

[nickc]

i have the same problem using the loader to move snow with my 2305 the front is just too light. are you able to use a front weight with the loader mounted?

 

[topstoy]

Well I had much better luck today without using the Float position. Just kept a close eye for digging in. Probably should have got a snow blower instead. What kills me is my neighbor put a light weigh plow set up on his side by side and does a much better job then my heavy duty set up. I suck again!

 

[kennyd]

What plow setup did you buy Tops? How are you controlling the angle?

 

[Coyote machine]

Na, you're beating yourself up over a nonexistent problem.:confused3:
I have a FEL plow setup from one of the best tractor manufacturers in Canada. It took some serious time to figure out how to get everything setup right, and I seldom use float position, but can if I chose to. Make sure you have a crossover valve in the hydraulics of your plow hydraulic lines to prevent/reduce the chance of racking your loader arms from the forces exerted by the plow against the loader. You're not trying to clear an airport runway, are you? Therefore try as suggested, tilt the plow blade forward enough to keep it from catching on objects in the path, when in float, and the edge will likely trip less than before. Plus as you work the learning curve realize you can make more than one pass to clear an area without damage to the loader, your ego or your wallet. You can run your plow slightly off the ground too and then clean more closely on a subsequent pass. Forget the neighbor; his rig probaby bounces over everything anyway. Remember, learning curve- it takes some time- you'll get the hang of it.:thumbsup:

 

[DK35vince]

I have a FEL mounted snow plow and I never use float. Does not work well using float.
Puts to much weight on the blade and can't steer.
I just set the blade on the ground, then bump the joy stick up a little to take some of the weight off the plow and go.
Works fine for me that way.

 

[94BULLITT]

I had a similar experience with rigid mounted snow plows using float. For that reason I prefer the plow to be suspended by a chain, like it is when mounted on a truck. You adjust the loader arms until you have the angle you want, and leave slack in the chain. The plow is free to follow the contour of the ground.
Here is a friends plow rig under construction. When completed the chain was hung on hooks at the top of the SS attachment plate.
View attachment 405468

This is a common problem for FEL plows on smaller tractors, espesially rigid ones, just not enough weight on the tractors front end to hold it down. The ones suspended on chain seem to work better as described above.

I agree with what they said about a rigid mounted plow. Even with my L4240 and the snow plow in float as soon as I start pushing is can see the cylinders shorten slightly so that mean weight is coming off the front axle. IF your driveway is fairly level you can hold the plow up off the ground and work the loader up and down as you.