Float isn't working, any suggestions?

Anonymous Poster · Apr 24, 2003

Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

LA681 on a 1999 L3710. Float hasn't seemed to work since I got it a few weeks ago. Bucket always has down pressure when lever is pushed all the way forward. Can't find any position where it will float. As I am new to this tractor maybe I just don't know what I'm doing huh? I believe it is the original configuration from Kubota. Tractor has 340 hrs. on it. Any suggestions on where to start are appeciated.

I love this tractor. I ripped the heck out of the dirt horse lot with the 6ft. box scraper. Had the tines all the way down and the box tilted forward. We planted it with pasture mix and then rolled it with a 1,500# roller. It worked better than I expected it to. I know its not the right tool but hey, its better than my walk behind tiller.

Kevin

JohnMiller3 · Apr 24, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

...Can't find any position where it will float... 

I'm not familar with the controls on your loader, but all loaders Don't have float, like all buckets Don't have fast dump...

Did you ever see "float" work at all on your loader?

Anonymous Poster · Apr 24, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

It's supposed to. I have the manual and the control is clearly marked.

Jibber · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

I have an L3130 with the Kubota 723 loader and the standard Kubota controller valve. It has a distinct forward position for floating.. pushing through the regular "lowering" position and clicking into float. Do you get the click.. or does the control stick stop moving forward at the lowering position? Is your valve a kubota valve? That could be a problem too.. if someone added an aftermarket valve without the float position.

When my dealer/delivery man was checking me out on the l3130.. he also showed me a technique for "floating" the bucket itself.. but I've never been able to duplicate it. Not sure what practical use this would have anyway.

sandyc · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

The float position on my la211 is very evident. The fourway valve has the float and the fast dump feature. The installation of same is a dealer option at time of sale. I think it is about $40 option and maybe the original owner cheaped it out. As one of the previous notes said, you will feel the detent position as you go into the float position.

gator · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

Check between the lever and valve body to see if there is a flip down piece that will keep it from going forward enough to get into float (mine does but its a JD). Also on another thread (forgot which brand) they had to push it quickly forward to get it into float. Or like others have said, you may have an aftermarket SCV without float.
Hope this helps.

gator · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

Jibber,
Float is great for smoothing and packing in reverse. Also great for pushing big piles forward without digging in over uneven ground (keep bucket full curled). Use float on mine all the time.

Bird · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

When you push the joystick forward for down pressure, there is a "stop" or place where it feels like it's all the way forward. You then push a little harder and it will go past a "detent" and the joystick should stay there if you turn it loose, the FEL will be in "float" and you have to pull the joystick back to take it out of float. At least that's the way it works on all those that I'm familiar with. I may be wrong, but it just sounds to me like you haven't pushed far enough and hard enough.

mdbarb · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

On my b21 I have to go far forward QUICKLY or it won't work.
I have noticed at times it slips out of floating as i'm dragging back and wonder if its defective or normal

Bird · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

( slips out of floating as i'm dragging back )

I frequently help the joystick up in the float position back dragging because any little bump would cause mine to slip out of the float position, too, on both the B7100 and the B2710.

sandyc · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

I too use the float position for pushing piles of brush or backdragging top soil....I think some dealers don't automatically supply the 4 position valve for the BX2200. The BX21 comes from the factory totally assembled so it should have the 4 way valve.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 25, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

Well, I got the FEL to float. I had to jam it pretty hard and after that I couldn't get it out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I pulled and pulled but it was stuck good. I had to get a big flat screwdriver and jiggle the linkage before it would finally come out of float position. I'm gonna look at it more closely tomorrow.
Kevin

Anonymous Poster · Apr 26, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

( Well, I got the FEL to float. I had to jam it pretty hard and after that I couldn't get it out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I pulled and pulled but it was stuck good. I had to get a big flat screwdriver and jiggle the linkage before it would finally come out of float position. )

Yikes! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Something's definately not right there! Starting to sound like maybe a defective control valve? Mine's pretty new but it moves through all the positions with a minimal amount of effort.

5030 · Apr 26, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

( Well, I got the FEL to float. I had to jam it pretty hard and after that I couldn't get it out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I pulled and pulled but it was stuck good. I had to get a big flat screwdriver and jiggle the linkage before it would finally come out of float position. I'm gonna look at it more closely tomorrow.)

Take the cover off and grease the linkage. That should fix it. You have to lubricate the linkage once in a while.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 26, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

3050,
My guess too. I just spray it down with Superlube.
DaveL

Anonymous Poster · Apr 26, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

Well I took the cover off and sprayed it down with silicone. It's working but it takes a hefty yank to get it out of float still. It might be just because it hasn't been used in so long. I'll see if it gets a little easier to get out as I use it.

So is there a ball plunger that sits in a detent on that shaft?

Kevin

Jibber · Apr 27, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

I notice on my 723 that it calls for lubricating the control valve once every ten hours.

Jibber · Apr 27, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

(
Float is great for smoothing and packing in reverse. Also great for pushing big piles forward without digging in over uneven ground (keep bucket full curled). Use float on mine all the time. )

Actually, I use float too.. all the time.. what I was referring to from my delivery guy was the fact that he was able to float JUST the bucket.. in other words.. he floated it at the pivot.. It took him a couple of attempts.. it seemed to me that he pushed the control lever to the right.. and into a second detent "float" position. He then raised the bucket off the ground and it (the bucket) wagged back and forth freely. Like I said.. I haven't been able to duplicate that. I do use the regular position float all the time.

PS.. there was no documentation with the loader about floating the bucket pivot. I think it was something he learned at Kubota factory school and whatever practical use it has.. it must be for servicing.

5030 · Apr 28, 2003

Re: Float isn\'t working, any suggestions?

My 5030 will float just the bucket too. To do this you need the 5 position regenerative valve . This valve comes standard on my 5030 and I believe it's optional on models of lesser horsepower. To float just the bucket, I move the joystick completely to the right as far as it will go. At that point, the bucket will "wag" on the pivot. The way my dealer explained it to me is that when the joystick is moved to the extreme right, it allows the fluid to move freely in the cylinders. The 5030 actually has 6 positions on the joystick. The 4 usual positions plus float (which is the detent past power down) and the far right detent or bucket float. Try moving the lever to the right, against the stop and then wiggling it a bit while pushing on it in the right hand direction. You should feel another detent. When you do, move the lever to the extreme right and that will put the valve in the "regenerative" position. My jostick is in the cab out of the weather. It has a set of enclosed cables that run under the cab to the valve itself which is outside on the loader side frame. All the actuation controls and cables are sealed from the weather and the cables have nylon liners in them so nothing is exposed to the elements.

I checked the literature on the new Grand L series for this year and the valve that I have is available on all of the series.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.