Ford 4500 float valve

Jim13

New User
I bought a rusty old 4500 that appears to have a float falve for the loader/bucket.
It seems to be rusted in place. I assume it"s a push/pull arrangement but I"m reluctant to try to force it not knowing which way to try and move it or if it has a lock somewhere I"m not aware of. Can anyone describe how to operate this valve?
 
To float the loader lift arms, you push the loader valve handle all the way forward past the position that usually lowers the arms. There should be a detent that holds the valve spool in float position.
I"m guessing the valve you are referring to is the self-leveling valve - a separate small valve with a black plastic knob on it. It diverts oil from the loader arm lift cylinders and sends it to the bucket curl cylinders to try and hold the bucket level as you lift the boom. The valve only moves in out less than one inch. Try some penetrating oil and a few light taps with a hammer.
 
Are you saying it's got some extra valve that's separate from the main loader control valve?

Most loader control valves simply have an extra position on one of the the spools for the float function. Looking at the parts diagrams, the 4500 is like most. There were 2 different control valve assemblies available for the 4500, and both of them had a float position on one of the spools. One was the regular control valve with 2 spools and handles and the other was the a self-leveling version that had a third spool for the self-leveling feature, but the float feature was still just a position on one of the main handles.

If you're talking about a valve that's separate, with what looks like a push/pull arrangement with a knob, that sounds more like a diverter valve that would divert the hydraulics for some other function. Post some pictures of what you've got, and track down all of the lines and tell us where they go and we can probably help you figure out what it's for.
 
IF it hasn't been "reconfigured" in the past 40+ years, the valve that's a push/pull "rod with knob" on the outside of/below the main control valves is to enable/disable auto-levelling of the bucket. It works along with a one-way valve in the connected plumbing. If some backyard mechanic has used it for something else, who knows (I have an example of each.)

You can help it with a soft-faced hammer if it's stuck, or you can leave it where it is if it suits you. If it's really good and rusty, you're probably better off leaving it alone unless you are prepared to service it when it decides to leak after you move the rusty bits around....

Float is in the main control valve - shoved all the way forward to detent. Only on lift, not on bucket.
 

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