Float Position
Float position is the fourth valve position that connects both cylinder ports to tank at the same time, letting the attachment follow the ground under its own weight. The blade or bucket follows the rises and dips of the surface and rests on the ground with a constant force. It is usually locked with a detent.
In normal positions the cylinder is hydraulically locked and the attachment is forced. In float position both ports are opened to tank so the piston is free; as the attachment rises, oil passes from one side to the other through the tank. Ground scraping work with a snow plow, grader blade, or loader bucket is done in this position.
- Benefit: ground and attachment wear are reduced and jolting drops.
- Caution: in float position the attachment produces no lifting force; it is not used on a slope or with a suspended load.
- Recognition: the lever settling into an extra step beyond neutral and staying there is the sign of float position.
In electronic lever control this position has a separate meaning: while teaching the lever's usable range during calibration, you must decide whether the float step will be included in the range. To prevent unintentionally entering float position, ending the range before this step is a common choice.
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