Draft/Float control

[GAM]

Can someone please explain what “Float” is?
I have a MF275 with two hydraulic levers, I usually only use one, the furthest away from the Seat is set fully back, and lift and lower the three point linkage I just use the lever nearest the seat, fully back is to lower, and moving the lever forward towards the constant pump position is to raise the three point linkage.
I was asked today when buying tedder, have you float on your tractor?
Where do the levers need to be positioned for “Float” to work?

 

[ridger]

Same as putting the arms to the bottom I'd think

 

[DrWazzock]

Yes I’d leave draft and position control at the back, arms right down.
Draft control always was useless here on variable ground so never used anyway.

 

[dudders]

Probably a ploughman can answer that one. I remember being told that float control would lift the arms automatically if the plough hit something solid underground, or raise them proportionately if the going got tough. But I never ploughed, so never used it. In my current Case 75, like you I have 2 quadrant levers, of which I only ever use one. But although it's the smaller lever that I always want to use, it's the bigger one that I end up grabbing in a hurry, which is a blamed nuisance coz it doesn't lift as high. Over to someone else.

 

[Nithsdale]

2 levers - draft control and position.

Position is your normal up and down.

Draft control - if you're using a grubber or plough, you set the draft lever at the depth you want the machine to work in the ground at. You then lift and lower the implement with the position lever, like normal. Drop the position lever all the way down and the tractors hydraulics stop it at the set draft position.

As the implement works the ground, pressure on the top link sensor tells the tractor to lift or lower the arms to maintain a consistent working depth.

When in the ground you use the Draft Control lever to adjust the implement depth as you work the ground

 

[CollCrofter]

I use the float position on the mower. Seen plenty of folk that don't so I don't know if it's right or wrong. Would I be right in saying it's almost a safety feature to protect the implement from sudden impact? The Kverneland mower here has an accumulator that I think allows the mower to swing back if you hit something but I THINK that works independently from being in float or not... To me float basically allows a bit of play up and down from wherever you have your arms set to? I'm starting to confuse myself now...

 

[MF-ANDY]

2 levers - draft control and position.

Position is your normal up and down.

Draft control - if you're using a grubber or plough, you set the draft lever at the depth you want the machine to work in the ground at. You then lift and lower the implement with the position lever, like normal. Drop the position lever all the way down and the tractors hydraulics stop it at the set draft position.

As the implement works the ground, pressure on the top link sensor tells the tractor to lift or lower the arms to maintain a consistent working depth.

When in the ground you use the Draft Control lever to adjust the implement depth as you work the ground

Not on a Massey.
Position control:- draft lever fully up. Height controlled by where ever you put the position lever.
Draft control:- position lever up depth controlled by where ever you put the draft lever.
Float:- put either lever fully down. Height will be controlled by wheels or skids on implement.

 

[Bloders]

i assume the oroginal question relates to "float" poition on a spool valve

 

[GAM]

i assume the oroginal question relates to "float" poition on a spool valve

NO, I am trying to find out how to set "Float" on my MF275, as when purchasing a six rotor tedder, the sales guy asked if my old tractor had "Float", I replied not sure, but hopefully I know a group of guys who would!

 

[GAM]

Not on a Massey.
Position control:- draft lever fully up. Height controlled by where ever you put the position lever.
Draft control:- position lever up depth controlled by where ever you put the draft lever.
Float:- put either lever fully down. Height will be controlled by wheels or skids on implement.

Wow Andy, that certainly simplified what I wanted to know.... I will try that a little later on?

 

[Angus]

Could you ask the salesman why you might need float for the tedder and could he show you how to set it up properly? Is it a used or new purchase?

 

[Exfarmer]

NO, I am trying to find out how to set "Float" on my MF275, as when purchasing a six rotor tedder, the sales guy asked if my old tractor had "Float", I replied not sure, but hopefully I know a group of guys who would!

Float normally refersto the postion on a spool valve where oil can flow either way.
there is no equivalent on a 3 point linkage on most modern tractors .
I believe as other do here think the salesman meant to take no weight on the linkage by pushing the lift lever right forward.
Float on 3 point linkage may mean using the extended hole on the machines top link . There is often a round hole and an oval one, the round hole is for transport the extended hole is for work as it prevents the machine taking the weight of the tractor if you go over a ridge etc

 

[C.J]

NO, I am trying to find out how to set "Float" on my MF275, as when purchasing a six rotor tedder, the sales guy asked if my old tractor had "Float", I replied not sure, but hopefully I know a group of guys who would!

Presumably both outer pair of rotors fold up hydraulically for transport.

When tedding the outer pairs will need to float up and down independantly to the center pair of rotors so that they pick up all the grass and don't dig into the soil.

There fore the spool valve will need a "float " position to allow oil to flow back and forth.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Think float as floppy, up down as the contours see fit...

 

[CollCrofter]

Not on a Massey.
Position control:- draft lever fully up. Height controlled by where ever you put the position lever.
Draft control:- position lever up depth controlled by where ever you put the draft lever.
Float:- put either lever fully down. Height will be controlled by wheels or skids on implement.

Would this apply to newer Masseys with the knobs on the side panel? Also, is the large rotating wheel where you set your height at the exact same thing as one of the knobs on the side panel?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

It's for ploughing . Its senses when the tractor spins and lifts the plough slightly to give you traction . If you used the lever without the plough would come out of the ground as it's not sensitive enough

 

[GAM]

Presumably both outer pair of rotors fold up hydraulically for transport.

When tedding the outer pairs will need to float up and down independantly to the center pair of rotors so that they pick up all the grass and don't dig into the soil.

There fore the spool valve will need a "float " position to allow oil to flow back and forth.

Ha, your spot on, I need to find out if I have float on the spool valve... I believe I haven't is because my spool levers only open and close as far as I know!

 

[Nithsdale]

It's for ploughing . Its senses when the tractor spins and lifts the plough slightly to give you traction . If you used the lever without the plough would come out of the ground as it's not sensitive enough

No it doesn't.

It's all done on hydraulic pressure on the top link. Nothing to do with the wheels

 

[Nithsdale]

Not on a Massey.
Position control:- draft lever fully up. Height controlled by where ever you put the position lever.
Draft control:- position lever up depth controlled by where ever you put the draft lever.
Float:- put either lever fully down. Height will be controlled by wheels or skids on implement.

Fair enough. I'm going by the levers on our SAME's.

If you pull Draft and Position right up, then lower only the Position the arms won't drop... (you also need both levers right up to be able to release the pickup hitch - then push both levers down at same time to lower the hook).


Either way, it's a pretty simple idea once you understand what they do.

 

[deleted user 837354]

No it doesn't.

It's all done on hydraulic pressure on the top link. Nothing to do with the wheels

I thought some tractors (NH) had a knob where wheelslip and linkage were involved? If you turn the knob one way you can feel a detent which I assume turns it off.