Front wheels spinning in 4WD. Normal?

[sevilla]

Hello, I have a L3830. Today, going uphill in mushy snow in 4 WD (no tire chains yet!) one front wheel started to spin while the other was still. I thought that the front wheel in 4 WD where linked together. Is the spinning in the front wheel normal? Thanks.

 

[Ductape]

Most compacts are not available with locking front differentials, laeving one wheel spinning when traction is light. Locking your rear differential gives most tractors three wheel drive.

 

[Dead Horse]

my 3710 behaves the same way........

 

[keyman1808]

Same on my BX24

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

BX2660 does and I'm sure about all 4WD's do unless you have locking hubs.

 

[gwdixon]

The M7040 has limited slip in front as do the higher numbered M models.

I believe the M7040 is the smallest Kubota tractor that has the feature. It was a factor in purchasing that particular model.

 

[ovrszd]

In 2wd your tractor is actually 1wd and the rear wheel with least traction will spin.

In 2wd with the diff lock engaged your tractor is actually 2wd with both rear wheels pulling together.

In 4wd your tractor is actually 2wd and the rear wheel and front wheel with least traction will spin.

In 4wd with diff lock engaged your tractor is actually 3wd with both rear wheels pulling together and the front wheel with least traction will spin.

As GW pointed out, the only exception would be a tractor with a front diff lock mechanism of some sort and it would then have true 4wd. I didn't think any tractors were so equipped, but GW educated me on that a while back!!

 

[Wombat125]

BX2660 does and I'm sure about all 4WD's do unless you have locking hubs.

Locking hubs allow the hubs to be disconnected from the axle shafts on an axle assembly. This is done in passenger vehicles to allow more efficient operation in 2wd by reducing parasitic drag from spinning the front portion of the drivetrain.

Manual or automatic locking differentials force both wheels on an axle assembly to turn at the same rate to enhance traction.

Limited slip differentials (positraction, trac-lok, M7040, etc) use friction discs or such in the differential to bias some torque to the wheel that is slipping.

The front LSD is one of the things I envy about the bigger M series Kubota guys.

 

[Bedlam]

I believe so. its just like the rear ,(has a differential). But the rear you can lock in with the 'lock' the fronts aren't lockable. Thats how my Ford is.

 

[bp fick]

Thank God they spin. That is a good thing. Binding is not a good thing.