Why am I always popping out of 4-wheel drive?

Tractor Factor · May 7, 2010

I don't use the 4 wheel drive on my BX25 all that much, but ever since I've had it ( 1.5 years, 125 hours) it regularly pops out of 4 wheel drive into 2 wheel as I'm driving. Seems to happen whenever I have an especially heavy load in the front bucket and even more so if I get going full speed with that load (low range always) along a stretch of road connecting my two driveways.

I've always kept the front tires at 22#, but recently started to fill them to 25.4# (as specified in the manual)...but no difference.

Also, I've always thought it strange that the shift lever travels only about 1 inch between the 4 and 2 wheel positions. Shifting forward the handle will travel all the way to the front of the slot for 4 wheel, but then will only pull back about 1 inch...not even reaching the middle for 2 wheel drive.

Anyone else with a BX have this kind of operation?

bp fick · May 7, 2010

No. My 4 wheel lever is a very short shift. It locks securely. Sounds to me a little like an adjustment issue. I might not have waited so long to get to the bottom of it with my dealer under warranty, or at least have studied that linkage and tried some adjusting myself, using logic and trial and error.

TripleR · May 7, 2010

I am assuming that you verified that it is actually engaging 4WD. I have owned a 2200 and 2660, neither ever popped out of 4WD and I use it often.

BotaBX24er · May 7, 2010

I go in an out of 4wd intentionally very often but tend to leave it in 4wd since I'm on dirt or grass most of the time. Never had it pop out of 4wd by itself though. Most likely an adjustment issue and should be covered under warranty.

Tractor Factor · May 7, 2010

Thanks much for the input. I'm pretty sure it's in 4 wheel because I have to work the treadle and then I can feel it engage. I can tell when it pops out as I can feel a subtle little shift...look down and the lever is back. The warranty is up at the end of November, but I'd like to try to adjust it myself since it's a 50 mile trip each way...oh, and I don't own a trailer.

megaboz · May 7, 2010

I have had the same issue with my BX 24 when there is a load in the bucket. Never had it pop out when going down the road though.

Never thought about a load issue, but that would make sense since when I am in 4wd it could be flexing the body just enough to push the lever into 2wd.

I run 4wd all the time as I live on a hill, and the one time I didn't have it in 4wd I went for a fun ride.

EE_Bota · May 7, 2010

My BX2200 has never popped out, and the movement of the shifter seems logical and normal without hint of strangeness.

I would be tempted to look at the linkage and the console that surrounds it. I would be looking for displaced components, obstructions, such as sticks, etc. Also bent or adjustable linkages.

I would also make sure that the tires are roughly at the same state of wear front to back, and that the pressures are correct all around.

megaboz · May 7, 2010

Actually binding in the axle drives did occur to me, but mine always dislodged in mostly muddy conditions or soft ground conditions when moving lots of dirt going back and forth a lot.

I reguarly turn the wheels to sharp cutting the grass and never have it pop out. While the loads with the FEL would make binding worse, I'm not 100% sure that is the case. At least when I was loaded, I wasn't making sharp turns to make it bind, actually a little bit scared I would flip the thing. I tended to load more in the bucket than was safe.

Tractor Factor · May 8, 2010

megaboz said:
I have had the same issue with my BX 24 when there is a load in the bucket.

Never thought about a load issue, but that would make sense since when I am in 4wd it could be flexing the body just enough to push the lever into 2wd.

That's an interesting possibility I hadn't thought of. Soon as it stops raining I'll have to test it thoroughly with no load to see if it does it then, too.