Float detent doesn't float?

[Grubbypaw]

Recently I acquired an offset flail mower - the Del Morino Funny Super photo link, but it's acting super funny when I try to put it in float so the jokes on me. I have a Kubota 2650 with 3 rear remotes, the middle one being a BL7393. I never had reason to use this valve until I got this mower, but have been using the other two for a top & tilt for years. I tilt the mower up to 90 degrees, no problem. I tilt the mower down all the way, no problem, but when I push the valve all the way down past the detent to "float", the mower actually tilts back up 6 inches or so and then stops, stuck there, as if the valve had been brought back to neutral. Hydraulic fluid level is ok. Any idea why it won't float?

 

[TractorTech]

Welcome to TBN!

I looked at the valve in the parts book, but I don't see a float position on the endcap.

BTW, I have never heard of the Funny Super mower, but I have now.

 

[oldnslo]

Which way is the cylinder moving when you put it in “float”. Is it extending or retracting?

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a broken float function on my Massey. It still floats, but the ball detent that hold it in float is broke.

 

[Grubbypaw]

Welcome to TBN!

I looked at the valve in the parts book, but I don't see a float position on the endcap.

BTW, I have never heard of the Funny Super mower, but I have now.

Searching online for that part number I get "#BL7393 OPTIONAL 4-POSITION FLOAT SECTION".
There is a detent at the bottom of travel of the handle. You can feel it. That said, I wouldn't know the difference between a float or a non-float end cap just by looking.

oldnslo - Pushing the handle down extended the cylinder. Continuing past to the detent is when it raised a little and was just stuck there. Pulled the mower off today and hitched up the side link tilt cylinder to the same valve to try and figure out what's going on. Lifting up on the handle retracts the cylinder and it springs back to neutral. All good there. Pushing down the handle extends the cylinder (no spring this way). Go past the detent and I saw the same slight contracting of the cylinder and can't budge it. Even more confusing, if I ever so slightly lift it out of the detent position it starts contracting the cylinder and will go all the way up. Raise the handle slightly more and it comes back down (extends), like one would expect when the handle is south of neutral. Only, I can both extend and retract all south of neutral. Not sure if the valve is bad from going unused for 7 or so years?, but it's a thousand bucks for a new one, so I think I'd just ditch the float dreams if so.

Thanks for taking a crack at it folks!

 

[oldnslo]

On some valves the detent mechanism is screwed into the end of the direction valve spool. I am wondering if this has unscrewed slightly or possibly some crud build up in the end cap covering this assembly restricting full movement into detent. Might also explain the no spring return in one direction since I suspect it should.

Typically the detent end cap is significantly longer than standard 3 position end cap.

If you decide to remove this end cap be careful since there may be spring loaded parts just waiting to escape into the great unknown recesses of your shop..