BX24 diff lock disaster ... How many others have had this problem?

[rascal810]

I was at my dealer for some reason and became engaged in a conversation with one of the mechanics - actually the one I prefer to work on my machine. He was repairing an RTV for this very reason. Apparently the drivers continuously stomped on the diff lock while the tires were spinning eventually shearing the pin where it fell through to the bottom and punched a hole in the case.

Problem mostly caused by operator error.

I have been careful with my b7510 and prefer to engage 4WD rather than stomp on the diff lock. Use the diff lock as a last resort.

Kind of funny you mention this I just posted trying to find some parts for a RTV because of someone doing just what you said. Also I repaired a x740 deere that blew out a side cover when someone engaged the diff lock when one of the wheels was spinning.

 

[oldballs]

Just to add my impressions as a BX owner.....I think "snort" confirmed my understanding. My dealer salesman (an old timer) said to just use the diff-
lock if I got stuck someplace...and to release it as soon as I got "unstuck"...and only go straight...i.e. don't use it in a turn. Thus after almost three years and 270 hours running, I've never used the diff-lock. Four wheel drive has been used a lot however in grading, FEL use and some mowing and towing. If I have to use it some time, I'm going to do it very carefully after I throttle down to idle before engaging.

 

[check]

Just to add my impressions as a BX owner.....I think "snort" confirmed my understanding. My dealer salesman (an old timer) said to just use the diff-
lock if I got stuck someplace...and to release it as soon as I got "unstuck"...and only go straight...i.e. don't use it in a turn. Thus after almost three years and 270 hours running, I've never used the diff-lock. Four wheel drive has been used a lot however in grading, FEL use and some mowing and towing. If I have to use it some time, I'm going to do it very carefully after I throttle down to idle before engaging.

I use the diff lock on my BX25 a LOT, especially when I am digging into a real tough pile of dirt or whatever, or I am on snow or in soft dirt or mud. I think it is one of the great features of the tractor, and it makes a huge difference for me. I also use it mostly when in 4WD (which I am a lot because I have a gravel drive and/or drive in softer dirt/mud or snow). I don't see 4WD as an alternative to diff lock like the other posters here, but rather use diff lock as a supplement to 4WD, because I lose traction very frequently at the cottage, especially when digging with the FEL.

I have also found that diff lock frequently does not engage until you are moving again, sometimes after quite a while (e.g., a few seconds). It is kind of a weird feeling - your foot is resting lightly on the diff lock pedal while you wait for engagement, and then after a bit it decides to drop down softly, presumably as the pin engages. In fact, if I am in a low traction environment, I will just leave the diff lock pedal down continuously while I work, because letting go each time I cycle slows up the work. (e.g., I am spreading gravel, and the gravel surface is of course quite "slippery", so rather than disengage the diff lock after every "shove" into the pile and then re-engaging it again a few seconds later when I return to the pile again to get another bucketfull, I'll just leave the lever depressed. That way I don't have to wait each time I approach the pile while the lever decides when to drop the pin in as I approach (and stop in front of) the pile. All this time I am of course also in 4WD, and I stay there until and unless I get to some firmer ground where I know that 4WD and diff lock will strain the tractor if I make a turn.

 

[CHDinCT]

In fact, if I am in a low traction environment, I will just leave the diff lock pedal down continuously while I work, because letting go each time I cycle slows up the work. (e.g., I am spreading gravel, and the gravel surface is of course quite "slippery", so rather than disengage the diff lock after every "shove" into the pile and then re-engaging it again a few seconds later when I return to the pile again to get another bucketfull, I'll just leave the lever depressed.

I hope you're not making turns while doing this because if you are, your BX might just end up like the OP's with a broken pin or worse. :confused2:

 

[check]

I hope you're not making turns while doing this because if you are, your BX might just end up like the OP's with a broken pin or worse. :confused2:

Only if the ground is slippery!:thumbsup:

 

[rascal810]

I hope you're not making turns while doing this because if you are, your BX might just end up like the OP's with a broken pin or worse. :confused2:

You wont shear the pins once its engaged the problem is engaging it when one wheel is spinning fast and the other is sitting still.

 

[ya472]

Had o-ring leaking hydraulic fluid. Sent to dealer for repair. A week later, more fluid dripping out. Now they say diff lock pin sheared off inside of lower case and punched a hole in lower case. They say repair will be about $3k. Mechanic at dealer says he's done 4 of the this year (it's a small dealer).

I'm thinking this may be a design flaw (for pin failure to cause such catastrophic damage.

If you've had this problem, please contact me. I want to know how common this is.

Carl

I have a 2010 BX25 and for some bizarre reason, the differential lock will engage, possibly with only one pin. ????

Since the axles have to be perfectly aligned to lock the differential, it seems the lock is engaged put the pedal won't go down at first then it does.

When I lift the rear tires off the ground and rattle them back and forth with the lock pedal in the UP position, the differential will unlock, but as soon as I start driving, it partially ??? locks again.

I would like to know how the "Pin, Straight, 2 needed, 37300-28170" stays engaged to the "Shifter, Diff.L , 1 needed K2561-12590" (Coleman Equipment site).

Is there a retainer clip ?

Thx to anyone who has this knowledge, pictures, links or other help.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Maybe they fixed on the BX25. 1500 hours on mine and no problems so far.

Ron

 

[ralphy711]

I have a 2010 BX25 and for some bizarre reason, the differential lock will engage, possibly with only one pin. ????

Since the axles have to be perfectly aligned to lock the differential, it seems the lock is engaged put the pedal won't go down at first then it does.

When I lift the rear tires off the ground and rattle them back and forth with the lock pedal in the UP position, the differential will unlock, but as soon as I start driving, it partially ??? locks again.

I would like to know how the "Pin, Straight, 2 needed, 37300-28170" stays engaged to the "Shifter, Diff.L , 1 needed K2561-12590" (Coleman Equipment site).

Is there a retainer clip ?

Thx to anyone who has this knowledge, pictures, links or other help.

I'm sure you no longer need the pics... I am about done rebuilding mine and I have plenty. Got my fingers crossed that all is ok.

To anyone using a BX differential lock do so at your own peril. That lock is designed to fail. Total piece of garbage on a couple of levels.

We have three bx's in the family and i will be taking the angle grinder and cutting the pedal off on the two that haven't catastrophically exploded yet. Keep a watch on youtube for video and decide for yourself.

And to those that think the lock will engage without having the wheels turning you are wrong. The only thing saving Kubota on this is that there are a bunch of these machines out there that the owner doesn't even know what that pedal does and they never use it...

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I use the DL quite often on mine. It is cumbersome if the reason to engage it takes some time. My heel tends to slip off that small pedal. Has anyone out there figured a way to engage and hold w/o heel on the pedal. A hand control of push-in/pull out would be handy. Naturally the factory designers have to look at the people factors on these small machines to avoid someone forgetting to disengage or thinking it is OK to leave it that way same as 4WD. Maybe just a larger pedal would help. Have to give that some more thought as it just popped up. Just floating ideas for us more aware operators.

Ron