Leaving Valve in Float for Long Time

RCW · Jan 19, 2019

Probably a dumb question, but I have a habit of doing it, so I figured to ask what you guys thought.

When I park the tractor, I tend to put the valve in float to drop the FEL or snowblower, and leave it there.

Sometimes it'll sit for weeks in float.

Today I realized it was left that way since last use of the snowblower, which was November sometime...

Is it okay to leave it in the detent, or better back to the neutral position?

All works fine now, and always has. I know the biggest problem is water/corrosion mucking the detent end of the valve.

Just curious if I should change my habit, and why?

rjcorazza · Jan 19, 2019

Uhmm. I guess leaving it in float could result in long term strain on the detent mechanism, but I really don’t know how it works mechanically.
My habit has always been to lower the loader, shut off the tractor, then relieve any pressure on all cylinders (lower, curl, etc). I don’t leave the stick in float.

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North Idaho Wolfman · Jan 19, 2019

RCW said:
Is it okay to leave it in the detent, or better back to the neutral position?

It should be left in neutral, leaving it in detent will compress the detent spring and eventually it will quit working, not the end of the world you would just need to rebuild the detent.

Leaving it in detent is not going to make the water corrosion issue any more or less of a problem, but if it rusts up in that position, you will have a real heck of a time fixing it as the loader will be dead.

RCW · Jan 19, 2019

Thanks, guys.
RJ and Wolf man, figured as much. It does make sense.
One more bad habit to kick...damn, list is getting longer..just ask my wife ....[emoji12]

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twomany · Jan 19, 2019

Don't worry about the detent springs. Spring technology/metallurgy is so far beyond that it is no longer an issue,

When was the last time you lifted you car or truck off the ground "to keep the springs from taking a set" ?

The other aspects apply when present. i.e corrosion etc.

Eldubya · Jan 19, 2019

twomany said:
Don't worry about the detent springs. Spring technology/metallurgy is so far beyond that it is no longer an issue,

When was the last time you lifted you car or truck off the ground "to keep the springs from taking a set" ?

The other aspects apply when present. i.e corrosion etc.

Guess I'm a creature of habit. I still block up my 8000lb boat in the fall to take pressure off of the leaf-springs.

JeepinMaxx · Jan 19, 2019

twomany said:
Don't worry about the detent springs. Spring technology/metallurgy is so far beyond that it is no longer an issue,

This! Think about the springs in firearms magazines - they are compressed years on end for some folks!

North Idaho Wolfman · Jan 19, 2019

JeepinMaxx said:
This! Think about the springs in firearms magazines - they are compressed years on end for some folks!

Are your firearms magazines subject to water, rust, corrosion, freezing, thawing.

bxray · Jan 20, 2019

JeepinMaxx said:
This! Think about the springs in firearms magazines - they are compressed years on end for some folks!

It is important to exercise these springs!

Bulldog · Jan 20, 2019

Just look at it this way. The same effort it took to get in the habit of leaving it in float will work to stop the cycle. Make it part of your shut down procedure and doing it right will be second nature.

twomany · Jan 20, 2019

Bulldog said:
Just look at it this way. The same effort it took to get in the habit of leaving it in float will work to stop the cycle. Make it part of your shut down procedure and doing it right will be second nature.

Hmmm... Doing it right?... 'Might be just a judgment call based on ignorance.

Bulldog · Jan 21, 2019

twomany said:
Hmmm... Doing it right?... 'Might be just a judgment call based on ignorance.

Leaving it in float is the same as parking it with the bucket in the air. You're leaving it in a position where it could fall or shift. Might appear to be sitting flat when in fact it's resting on a rock. You could unknowingly stick your foot under the edge about the time when the rock kicks out and the bucket fall on your toe.

"Doing it right"

On any modern loader with electric controls even if left in float when you turn the key off it automatically goes to neutral position. So that is the right way.

nbryan · Jan 24, 2019

Bulldog said:
Leaving it in float is the same as parking it with the bucket in the air. You're leaving it in a position where it could fall or shift. Might appear to be sitting flat when in fact it's resting on a rock. You could unknowingly stick your foot under the edge about the time when the rock kicks out and the bucket fall on your toe.

"Doing it right"

On any modern loader with electric controls even if left in float when you turn the key off it automatically goes to neutral position. So that is the right way.

This ^^^^^^^

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Leaving Valve in Float for Long Time

RCW

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rjcorazza

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North Idaho Wolfman

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RCW

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twomany

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Eldubya

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JeepinMaxx

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North Idaho Wolfman

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bxray

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Bulldog

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twomany

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