JD 455 Gt...hydraulic float position?

[caseyvand]

Hi.....The lower hydraulic control lever on my John Deere 455 garden tractor is what raises and lowers the snowblower. My question is ....were is the float position on this lever and how does it stay there?
Thanks.....Casey

 

[beenthere]

Be sure you have the right control, with the hoses hooked to the right connectors.

Then:
Push it all the way forward, and it will stay there. Has to "snap" into place.
If not used for awhile, it may resist going into 'float'.
I would give it a good shove (I don't think you will break it, at least I hope not).
Over time, it will snap in easier, but will stay there.

 

[etcallhome]

Also it is best to do this while blade is going down .
Like beenthere said push lever forward and you should feel a snap that is your float...
float is at the very end of forward motion with your lever .

 

[caseyvand]

Thanks a lot guys....I'll give it a try today. I guess I wasn't pushing hard enough on the lever.
Thanks......Casey

 

[ovrszd]

The valve tends to not want to go into the float position if it's not used frequently, takes a pretty good snap the first few times. I think my JD455 manual even said to snap in and out of float periodically to keep it working. My JD2210 acts the same way. Must be a John Deere valve thing.

 

[beenthere]

ovrszd is right, the manual mentions exercising the control periodically.

Less strain on the connecting rods to the valve control if you go directly to the valve and use a tool (screw driver or prybar) to snap that spool into float. But try it from the lever first.

 

[caseyvand]

I found the float position OK just as advertised above. Engaged it as the snowblower was on it's way down . Worked pretty good except on several occasions the lever slipped out of the float position.........is there any place in the linkage to fine tune the lever linkage so it stays in the float position?
Thanks for your help......Casey

 

[beenthere]

It is probably a detent in the valve control itself, on the spool. Might check with the Deere dealer for some info. If I find/have time, I'll look at the tech manual I have on a CD for any info.
Looked and attached shows the detent balls, springs, plugs and set screws. Might just be a removal and cleaning needed if the problem doesn't clear up shortly. See if this helps.

 

[caseyvand]

Yea.......if there is any dirt or rust on the detent balls that could be my problem.
Thanks.....Casey

 

[iowa]

I have yet to figure out how to put my x758 or 455 in float position. When I push the lever forward it drives my rotary broom and/or my snow blower right into the ground. Do I need to push the lever slowly or quickly?

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

You need to break loose the "float" position, and a harder push forward would be my suggestion. (see previous posts)

Has to snap into the detent.. held by a spring/ball in the control valve (which you can access if giving a hard push doesn't free it up from long time sitting).

 

[ccsial]

My X748 started popping out of float. I finally cleaned up the detent but it didn't help. I recently installed the $111 detent kit and it works perfect now.

 

[iowa]

So is the float position basically just the weight of the front attachment (no hydraulic pressure pushing it down)?
Should I be able to 'feel' the detent without running the garden tractor or do I need to have it running?

 

[beenthere]

It should snap into float regardless of engine running.

 

[BCWoodtick]

Does the float include the 425? Don't think I've ever used it if so.

 

[beenthere]

BC
Yes, if you have the dual control levers..

What attachments do you use on the 425, in addition to the mower deck?

 

[BCWoodtick]

I do have the 2 levers but never have tried the float. I have the 47" mower deck, 47" blade and 47" dual stage snow blower. I blew the blower up at Christmas so hoping to have it rebuit for next winter. It has been an awesome little machine. Having the auger shaft made at machine shop(snapped it in half) and they are going to straighten the 2 augers and fan for me. Hopefully it will be working like new again? I will post my repairs when done for anyone else that has one.

 

[beenthere]

Hard to understand you have a front blade and a snow blower, and do not use the float. But if you don't use it, not to worry that it doesn't work.

 

[BCWoodtick]

Mainly use the snowblower and the mower. For the snowblower I usually use it with the front wheels off the ground to dig down as much as possible. Will have to try the float next year after I get the snowblower up and running.

 

[iowa]

Thanks for the help! I was able to get it to float position on both the x758 and 455. I think I've had it in the 'notch' before but I thought that the lever was just getting caught on a bur or something so I took I pulled it back.