Volvo excavator "Boom Float"

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.