Just found out this bit of info today, have never heard of it before. Figured it might be a good discussion. Been talking to 1026phr on mid-size hoes and he mentioned the Volvo has a boom float feature. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it, and what the potential uses might be? I can think of some possibilities, just wondering what some other guys might think.:beatsme
I remember a 450 clc and possibly a cx290 with similar feature when loading loose fill on hard pack it was nice for amatures like me not to pick tracks up and have them slam down when it's time to pick boom up. On 450 was switch on right console wouldn't let boom build down pressure.
Have an EC160 from new . I flicked through the operators manual to see what all the joystick buttons did and saw Boom float. Sounded very handy so I tried it 20 times . Nothing happened . IT was an optional extra over here . It would probably increase machine output on this machine as it has only 1 pump. It might reduce pump demand a little . Aside from that it has to be the worst most unreliable machine ever made.
Good day Shimmy1 This is an legacy feature from Akerman Excavators Sweden all of which had this as a standard feature, benefits are reduced fuel consumption - increased cycle speeds as the boom is allowed to fall under its own weight, leaving fluid flow available for other functions (Arm ext). This would give a clear production advantage to a operator whom makes use of the feature. Further advantage is in the confines of grab work, the feature will avoid unnecessary downward force on the implement reducing maintenance. we have more detailed information at excatech.com drop a line if you are interested. Kind regards Uffex
Do you have to hold the button or can you just click it and go about your business? Also, does it go off automatically when you boom up? Seems to me I could probably utilize it more if it would do its thing whenever I'm booming down, or just holding the lever down, rather than having to hold the button to whole time.
Good day Shimmy1 While the icon on the display is active as is the feature, you will find if you press the bucket into the ground it will just stall (float is on) you can still use the arm in to creat a downward force. A silly feature of the Volvo if you use auto-idle the engine will race during float operation dare I say a stupid part of this feature defeats fuel saving. Why race an engine that you are not using!!. Boom float has nothing to do with boom raise this works as normal only boom down is affected. In real terms if you cannot raise the machine using the boom the float function is active. As always if we can help please contact us at excatech.com. Kind regards Uffex
This is how it works.... When you turn it on, it stays on. It activates automatically when you boom down. So, the only thing changing operation-wise is when it's activated, you don't have down-pressure ability with the boom? Sounds similar to the regeneration valves that some machines have that direct the return flow from a cylinder back with the flow to the cylinder. You can just choose when it operates.
Boom float Good day Shimmy1 Yes I think you have the basic idea - float selected + boom down control = boom cylinder connected to both sides of the cylinders in addition to tank connection. View attachment Shcematic for float circuit GIH201075.pdf Kind regards Uffex
I assumed that this is a feature similar to the float feature on the loader arms on a tractor. Many ag utility tractors, with loader arms on the front, have a float feature on the joystick, typically by pushing forward, it goes into float mode. This is helpful when using a snow plow on the front or when using a bucket on the front to back drag or smooth out dirt. Basically it lets the bucket/snow plow, or whatever is attached to the loader arms, follow the ground contours rather than staying in a fixed position. Without this feature, when plowing snow, particularly on dirt/gravel drives & roads, or when the road has elevation changes, you are constantly adjusting to follow contour, and usually doing so either early or late. With this feature, a lot less wear & tear on equipment and roads. So my assumption is that this might be handy when doing finish work and smoothing out. Was at the dealer yesterday and asked them about it, they confirmed that this was the basic principle. Please let me know if I (and the salesman & tech) are off base on this.
This feature on a Hitachi is advertised to unload barges etc. You have no boom down pressure so in theory you don't knock the bottom out. Lots of operators use it in deep excavation to maintain grade since they cannot see at that angle.
It's designed so that when grading, you angle the bucket, pull the dipper in and the boom takes care of itself. It's available on some Cat machines as well.