Loader Float

[jsduke]

My LA513 loader doesn't want to float. When I move the joystick from neutral through down and into the float detent, the boom pushes down hard and then releases. When I move into a pile the boom pushes down hard again raising the front wheels. Once while backdragging with the bucket tilted forward and in float detent the loader suddenly raised up about 2/3 and the joystick popped into neutral when the bucket encountered resistance. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anybody know what's going on? Is it my technique or my equipment?

Thanks.

duke.

 

[DavidJ]

<font color="blue"> When I move the joystick from neutral through down and into the float detent, the boom pushes down hard and then releases. </font> This is the way most of them work. You're passing through the power down position and so it is going to push the loader down until you're into the float position. If you'll raise the bucket above the ground and then quickly put the joystick into float, it should float to the ground albeit rapidly, but not as rapidly as powering it down.

<font color="blue"> When I move into a pile the boom pushes down hard again raising the front wheels. </font> They do this too, if you're in the float position. When you push into the pile it will increase resistance and being basically hinged in the middle (when your float there's no hydraulic pressure to keep it stiff) the rear tires push the front end into the air.

 

[Rick Jay]

jsduke,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When I move into a pile the boom pushes down hard again raising the front wheels. )</font>

Maybe I'm not understanding your description clearly. Are you saying that you purposely put it into float position when digging into a pile? If so, it's doing what it should be doing...but you're not. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I think this is a "technique" issue. Just don't float the bucket when driving into the pile.

~Rick

 

[jsduke]

David,

Thanks.

What you wrote about the 'hinge' effect makes good sense /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif . The boom should then lower if I just back out of the pile without breaking out( I'll test that).

The other problem, the sudden raising (and definitely under hydraulic power) of the boom while backdragging, had me looking beyond basic physics I guess. The bucket rose well above the hood and required joystick operation to lower.

duke.

 

[jsduke]

Rick,

The pile was gravel on rough turf. The manual stated float was to be used in order to avoid digging the 'floor' so to speak. I ended up not using float and as careful as I could be I tore up the 'floor' a bit (not a big deal though). I'm just trying to use the equipment properly.

Thanks.

duke.

 

[DavidJ]

<font color="blue"> The bucket rose well above the hood and required joystick operation to lower </font>

Was the joystick still in the float position? If it was then there is definitely a problem with your valve. If it had sprung to the lift position then there could still be a problem. I did that once (actually twice) The first time I hit the joystick with my arm and thought something was wrong until I did it again and felt it. I have bumped it a time or two since but never all the way to the up position.

 

[Rick Jay]

jsduke,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The pile was gravel on rough turf. )</font>

Well...with that situation I guess there are 2 possible outcomes. Either leaving some gravel in the turf or digging up some of the turf to get all the gravel. (The third option: raking the gravel out by hand. Yech!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

I think your solution of not using the float is pretty much the way it needs to be done. The float position takes a bit of experience to master, and I'll admit I'm far from master-level yet. In my experience, where it has been most effective is in

1.) Forward position on a paved driveway clearing snow (bucket angle is important...too much "dump" and it'll dig in, too much "curl" and it'll ride on-top of the snow.

2.) Back-dragging with the bucket smoothing out an area. Going backwards, it works very well in this type of application.

In any event...what you got was more "experience". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

~Rick

 

[Henro]

I'm not sure if Rick was saying it this way or not, but my experience is that float in the forward direction just doesn't work for me.

Float in reverse...use it all the time. Float in forward...maybe it's my toothbar, but I just seem to dig in too much. So now I just never use float when going forward...and really never found the need to use it in the forward direction. Could be lack of talent on my part... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[frank_f15]

trying to remove gravel off turf, without either leavin gravel or digging up the turf is almost impossible.

 

[hockeyhead]

"almost impossible"!!! No just impossiable

 

[Rick Jay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm not sure if Rick was saying it this way or not, but my experience is that float in the forward direction just doesn't work for me. )</font>

Yep...in a round-a-bout way that's what I was trying to say, at least on soft ground. But I agree...back-dragging with float works real well.

~Rick

 

[slowzuki]

The tractors I have used are much different it seems(note not kubota!). When lowering the bucket, it basically will float once the load is off the bucket.

To get down pressure you have to hold it in the lower position for 3-5 seconds.

Same for the curl, to get reverse pressure have to hold the dump position for a few seconds.


There aren't any detents on this loader though. It sounds to me the valve isn't adjusted right. And as for the front end lifting, it sounds like you are set a little too aggresive with the curl on your bucket.
Ken

 

[longway5]

I'll use float when I am pushing snow with a loader; on grass or pavement. The front end will tend to come up when you go too fast or you hit something. This is normal and you just need to cut back on the power to the wheels (slowing down often works)
The trick I use with pushing snow across grass in float is to adjust the bucket curl, same as using the loader under power. Slightly curled up from flat will keep it from digging in, while the weight of the loader is enough to keep the bucket down. Too much curl and the bucket will ride up on the material; to little and the bucket will dig right in. I also like to adjust the curl while moving to take more or less material off the ground

 

[Larry_T]

Your tractor has a very sharp edge on bucket.It will dig very easy.When in float if you hit rouf ground most of the time it will jump out of float.Best to hold it in float. Also very important to know where level is on bucket.