Kubota 4WD

[TripleR]

Heck I have used 4WD all the time on my Kubotas without problems; even used it on pavement quite a few ties.

 

[bp fick]

I believe people do not want a huge repair bill, unnecessarily.
That's just common sense. There indeed are warnings in my manual about proper care of the front axle-FWD.

Driving in 4 wheel drive on a surface which does not allow the front axle to release its natural build up of tension is understood as potentially harmful activity, especially if carrying weight and turning. This would most typically be doing FEL work on concrete or asphalt. There MIGHT be SOME worry about front chains preventing tension release, but I am no one to judge.

Again, since I am 100% of the time on dirt, gravel or snow, I just don't give it much thought. I use 4 wheel to plow snow and if I am working very hard in soft dirt plowing or grading. I don't have a worry. I bought 4 wheel drive to use it and use it I do. These light tractors need it, so I use it. End of story. Honestly? If I thought the front end was fragile as glass, I'd certainly have bought a much heavier tractor.

 

[hr3]

Just a thought but!! When I pull my tractor out of the garage to plow it's in 4 and I can feel and see the front grabing the floor pritty hard,,,Well I would think that with chains on that I would see "less" grip with chains on.. Steel on the hard surface will break before rubber???

The only place i'd worry about it is in the woods where the front chains could grab a root or stump while the rest of the tires where slipping ???

 

[RickB]

From what I have been reading on these posts I am getting the opinion that the front drive gears on Kubota's are as fragile as glass. Don't use front chains, don't run them on dry pavement, and don't put a strain on them, etc. Some things like not running on dry pavement I can understand. I'm almost afraid to put mine in 4WD anymore.

None of those cautions are specific to Kubota. If you look around enough, you will find similar statements referencing other brands, and they are all valid to some degree or other. No CUT has a front axle drive system designed to constantly transmit the same amount of torque as the rear axle is designed for, or as much as the engine can produce. Dry pavement is generally harder on tires than drivelines. Front chains, when used without rear chains, probably have the highest potential for catastrophic damage.

 

[TripleR]

Just to be sure, I checked my manual on my BX2660 and the only mention of operating in 4WD is that braking characteristics will be changed and there will be increased tire wear on pavement. No where did it advise against doing so.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm with the rest of the guys... Kubota is no better (or worse) than any other tractor manufacturer. 4WD is not intended to be used on dry, grippy surfaces like pavement or concrete. Usually the tire size match-up is pretty close, but not perfect. As long as you have a bit of slippage it's fine, such as with snow, mud, or dirt. That's normally where you need 4wd anyway.

Front chains are a bit different, they can potentially provide full power to a front wheel if you hook into something solid while the rest are slipping, although the differential action SHOULD prevent that from side to side. If both rear wheels are spinning and the fronts bite hard, you MAY break something in my opinion.

I didn't put front chains on the 3400 because it really doesn't need them.

If you check the owner's manuals for any 4wd truck, it says not to run in 4wd on dry surfaces because of added wear and tear, stress, etc. AWD systems with a viscous type coupling (a la Subaru) are different again, they're meant to run all the time because of the slip action of the viscous coupling.

I use mine where I need it, and leave it in 2wd otherwise. Anywhere I'm operating in snow or mud, it stays in 4wd. Dry ground (mowing or traveling) means 2wd.

Like anything else here, that's just my opinion.

Chilly

 

[firefighter jim]

Why have it if u can't use it?

Exactly!

 

[crbr]

I do not know how to post a link. Please read "Tire Chains on industrial tires?" posted today in the Owner/Operating forum.

Thank you

Here's how.

Once you are on the page you are reading, highlight the URL (page address location) that is located at the top of the page (where the hxxp://www.xxx is located), copy that entire address and past it in this text area as done here (below).

Tire Chains on industrial tires? - Page 4 - TractorByNet.com


To reference a single post, click on the post number that is located in the top right of the poster's area (say post #10), click on that and a single post will pop up in a seperate screen. Copy that URL and paste it in the text area and that single post will come up in lieu of the entire thread. If one wants to see the entire thread of said single post, look in the top right part of the single post and click on the thread name. You will be directed to the entire thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1825119-post4.html

.



.

 

[herringchoker]

I use mine where I need it, and leave it in 2wd otherwise. Anywhere I'm operating in snow or mud, it stays in 4wd. Dry ground (mowing or traveling) means 2wd.

Like anything else here, that's just my opinion.

Chilly

I second that, but sometimes I forget to take it out of 4x4 when going on pavement. No problems yet.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had Kubotas for 6 years on hillside property. They have all stayed in 4WD unless I was driving them up the paved street and remembered to disengage the 4WD. If I remembered, I would shift them to the 2WD. Have never had any issue with the front drive system. I don't let my brother drive my tractors very often. He truly can break a steel ball. He was born that way and has been that way all of his life, don't know why but it's so. You do know he is not the only one out there like this. There are others and they buy tractors and then they tell about how they tear up. I haven't read any of the posts that you have mentioned and hope that non of my buddies have posted about how fragile theirs is but if they have I fear they are like my brother. I love him and I'll still love my friends like my brother. drive tractors and cars for their intended purpose. Tractors: fully utilizing their tough abilities and cars that are fast- fast. I don't abuse them, much, but rarely broke any of them. Use your 4WD and if it breaks then post how yours broke and what you were doing when it happened so the rest of us can avoid doing what you were doing at the time. Or maybe your like my brother.