Somewhat Scary Experience

dieselmadman · Jun 8, 2009

I have never used 4wd. Had my BX24 for almost 2 years now. Use it for moving material, digging with the backhoe and loading a truck. Once in awhile I may use the locking differential, but that is it. Now, I am thinking perhaps I should engage it occasionally just to make sure it still works. Brother, always something...

Evil the Weasel · Jun 8, 2009

Thanks for the reminder on this issue. I've read about it before on these forums. I use 2wd only for mowing and 4 wheel squeal for everything else.

Toolguy · Jun 8, 2009

My B3030 with turfs will tear the grass to shreads if I mow in 4WD. Going straight is OK, but turns, no way.

TPS · Jun 9, 2009

LBrown59,
That is exactly why I never get out of 4WD 'cause I can't remember! I'll just keep it there from now on. In fact I have not taken it out but once going down the road to a neighbors house in over two years.

Toolguy I make wider turns and my turfs never seem to tear the grass up, but like Tug Hill Addict my rear tires cause more damage when I try to back up the hills when in 2WD but not in 4WD.
Take care-TPS

Ken45101 · Jun 11, 2009

Same experience here with a B2710. Slid down and hit the fence. Popped the staples out on one post and cracked another post. No FEL, just not enough weight on the rear end. That's why I need 4wd to mow my yard.

Ken

ptrotter · Jun 11, 2009

Thanks for all the comments. I rarely take the tractor out of 4WD, but I had driven down the road in 2WD and forgot to put it back. I'm not likely to make that mistake again. I'm glad it is normal and not something that had gone wrong with it.

Paul

BigD23 · Jun 12, 2009

dieselmadman said:
I have never used 4wd. Had my BX24 for almost 2 years now. Use it for moving material, digging with the backhoe and loading a truck. Once in awhile I may use the locking differential, but that is it. Now, I am thinking perhaps I should engage it occasionally just to make sure it still works. Brother, always something...

I'm thinking it's smart to "run" the equipment (4WD/others) occasionally like any other mechanical things.

Don

JoeL4330 · Jun 12, 2009

If your mower is 3ph rear mower, and you start on that sleigh ride, lifting the mower helps ...but, of course, as everyone has said, 4wd is the proper way.

After I experienced this the first time, I wondered why tractors don't have front-wheel brakes ...of course, applying them when the rears have lost traction would want to make the back end come around (although the mower would want to resist) ...of course, any front stopping power would unweight the rear even more, still...

Alan L. · Jun 12, 2009

There is a world of difference in the sure-footedness of my B2710 4WD vs 2WD, so I never use 2WD unless I am on dry pavement which is almost never. Even if you feel you don't need the 4WD, when you get used to the handling of 4WD you never go back.