2520 popping out of 4WD

[Gobblin Tom]

OK so I don't want to sound like I am causing problems but I just want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. Yesterday while carrying dirt down my steep path my 4WD popped out on my 2520 three-four times, it got to the point that I was holding my foot on the 4WD lever. Has anyone else ever had this happen? I know it is putting a lot of weight over the front axle going down hill but I was going very slow in low range and I had my rear blade on because I was using it after I dumped the dirt. (And my rear tires are filled) The problem I had when it popped out was that the rear tires just slid so I started to pick up speed quick and had drop the bucket quick to stop myself. I noticed about a week ago that this happned also, I told the wife that I must have forgot to put it in 4WD but after yesterday I believe I didn't... I am pretty sure that the shouldn't happen no matter what but I am just a novice and looking to hear from people a lot more experienced than me!!!

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Does anyone now if this would be an adjustment issue, cable, linkage, etc?

 

[megaboz]

I had this issue on my kubota before, it turned out to be hard dirt getting up in the linkage. I've not chased the linkage down on the JD yet, butit may be something to look into.

Also, I know I have had concerns about my foot popping it out because of the location, could this be an issue for you?

Just throwing out ideas since I have feared this happening on my tractor.

 

[bz1]

In 3 years I've never had my 2520 pop out of 4WD and I use the 4WD a lot.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I had this issue on my kubota before, it turned out to be hard dirt getting up in the linkage. I've not chased the linkage down on the JD yet, butit may be something to look into.

Also, I know I have had concerns about my foot popping it out because of the location, could this be an issue for you?

Just throwing out ideas since I have feared this happening on my tractor.

I have had my tractor in some nasty clay / dirt, I will have to check and make sure nothing is around the linkage. I actually watched the lever pop up when going down the hill the other day, as you said wanted to make sure I didn't hit it with my foot and I definitely didn't....

 

[Gobblin Tom]

In 3 years I've never had my 2520 pop out of 4WD and I use the 4WD a lot.

Have you ever used yours going down a steep grade with the bucket full? I am kinda thinking mine shouldn't pop out either, I tried to get in touch with someone at the dealership today but nobody got back to me??

 

[bz1]

I don't have a bucket on mine so can't say what would happen. The most weight I put on the front end is 3 suitcase weights which is about 210 pounds. I do however do lots of pulling and have done some serious driving over large obstacles like dirt piles and fallen trees. I've gone down dirt piles with the wheels turned to the stops and pushing a lot of dirt in front of them as they plow sideways through the dirt. I really don't think it should ever pop out of drive. My 4WD lever has to be pulled quite hard to get it to move and it has a very positive detent that has to be overcome. That's about all I can tell you about my experience. I think I'd talk to a dealer (technician) and if they don't know anything about it have them bring in a factory Rep. to discuss this with you.

 

[pdp11]

I've not had that experience with my 2520. Mine seems to have a positive feel when you move the lever in and out of 4WD. It almost sounds like the lever isn't going all the way down, like it's not adjusted correctly.

 

[Petroman1]

Tom,
I only have about 10 hours on mine and have not had any issues. I have been relocating 10 loads of ditching material that the town has delivered using both 2 and 4WD. I dont consider the area I am working in to be steep but it is up hill a bit. I have not had any issues with the 4WD, I would agree with bz1 on contacting the dealer again. I will add that I can easily use my foot on the 4WD lever, it is not hard to pull. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Tom,
I only have about 10 hours on mine and have not had any issues. I have been relocating 10 loads of ditching material that the town has delivered using both 2 and 4WD. I dont consider the area I am working in to be steep but it is up hill a bit. I have not had any issues with the 4WD, I would agree with bz1 on contacting the dealer again. I will add that I can easily use my foot on the 4WD lever, it is not hard to pull. Let us know how you make out.

I did talk to the dealer this morning, I told him that I would make sure there is no dirt etc. around the linkage and get back to him. I don't know how everyone elses lever is to engage / disengage but mine just doesn't seem like it has ever really locked in tight, it just slides down and back up kinda effortless..... I will check the tractor tonight and get back to the dealer in the morning..

 

[PCABE5]

Tom, I used 4wd moving boulders up and down my hill and it never popped out. My lever has a very positive engagement just like the range selector.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Tom, I used 4wd moving boulders up and down my hill and it never popped out. My lever has a very positive engagement just like the range selector.

Mine definitely does not feel that way I push it down and the 4wd light comes on but it does not feel like the other levers on the tractor. It just seems lime it is not engaged the whole way, how far off the floor is your lever when engaged? Mine is probably up 2-3" I can check that tonight also...

 

[PCABE5]

Mine I believe is closer than that to the floor but I would have to measure it to be sure. There is still enough room though that I can disengage with my heel. I definitely feel an engagement.

Sometimes the range selector is picky and needs the pedal pushed to get a solid engagement could this be the case with the 4wd? Just throwing that out there.

 

[scottrh]

Definately feel solid engagement with the 4X4 lever on my 2520 also.

 

[dls21962]

Just another post agreeing that the 4wd lever on my 2520 definitely has a "lock-in" feel when it engages. And it takes some effort to disengage it - sometimes it is actually kind of difficult to get it out of 4wd. What you are describing sounds kind of like the feel of the differential lock lever on my 2520 - which is located next to the 4wd lever. Per the manual, it will remain engaged only as long as tire slippage occurs. I usually just find myself holding it down with my heel on the rare occasions where I've needed it - box blading & plowing when it's already in 4wd and the tires are still slipping frequently.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Just another post agreeing that the 4wd lever on my 2520 definitely has a "lock-in" feel when it engages. And it takes some effort to disengage it - sometimes it is actually kind of difficult to get it out of 4wd. What you are describing sounds kind of like the feel of the differential lock lever on my 2520 - which is located next to the 4wd lever. Per the manual, it will remain engaged only as long as tire slippage occurs. I usually just find myself holding it down with my heel on the rare occasions where I've needed it - box blading & plowing when it's already in 4wd and the tires are still slipping frequently.

You are talking about the differential lock lever that you hold down with your heel, I use that all the time also, this other lever with the knob on the end does not feel like it locks into anything solid. The differential lock goes to the floor when I push it down with my heel. Maybe I'm not pushing hard enough on the 4wd lever but I would be afraid to push any harder in fear of bending or breaking something.

 

[Mercmaniac]

Tom, So far I have put 28 hrs on mine and a lot of the hrs have been with a full bucket going down hill in 4wd. Mine has a 2 definite positions for 2wd and 4wd. I have had no problems with it disengaging.

 

[larry8818]

Hi Gobblin Tom,

360 hours on my 2520 and almost 5 years old.
I've never had my tractor pop out of 4wd once it was engaged.
I have had a heavy load (61" bucket full of t-pak) in my bucket going down a hill to lay material for a boat launch.
I use both my 4wd & diff. lock often. I have a very wet spot in my yard that I mow over and when coming up to it I engage 4wd on the fly with my foot and have my heel on the diff. lock once I start to feel the rear wheels slipping. Once throught the wet spot, the diff lock pops up naturally and then I use the heel of my foot to pull up on the 4wd lever to put it back in 2wd on the fly.

If your tractor is in warranty, it's a no brainer...call the dealer.
If not, I'd pony up and have the tractor serviced and have this fixed ASAP as it sounds like you have a possible safety hazard.
When you said you had to drop the bucket quickly to slow yourself down...did you forget to mention that you probably "pooped your pants" right before you dropped the bucket:laughing:?

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Ok so I checked under the tractor where the 4wd lever is and there is an electronic button there. There was definitely nothing in the way or preventing it from moving. Does anyone know if that switch is just for the 4wd light? Does that 4wd lever switch something internally? It moved about a half inch from the end of the switch....

 

[glc24]

Hey Tom,
Man,sorry to hear you're having another problem.
From what guys have said,I too actually "feel" it click or indent or whatever you would call it. It doesn't do a serious lock per say like your range lever does. It is ....I guess subtle,but you can still feel it.

Here are a couple pics with where the lever is engaged and disengaged.

Greg