Is Full Time Use of 4WD a Problem?

[WaxMan]

I think this is where we here on TBN lack in understanding. Few users will put thousands of hours of use on their FEL tractors. Even fewer will put those hours on doing heavy FEL work. Most of us only ocassionally put heavy loads on our tractors. Even fewer of us do it over a lengthy period of time/hours.

With that said, if you are one of those rare users here that does heavy work for a long period of time, you better manage your time in 4wd wisely and not waste that minimal wear while putting down the open trail from point A to point B. You are gonna need that later.

I think ovrszd is absolutely right, Says it very well above. The people who do heavy work for long periods, we don't hear from them.

Yeah we could use 4 wheel without problems, maybe for years and years but behind the sences there is wear going on, no doubt. Then one day we pick up that heavy load or stuck in a ditch and bang.
I for one am going to take his advice and only use 4 wheel when needed, I'm also going to install a 4 wheel pilot light when in 4 wheel.
Thanks ovrszd I think you just put an end to the question.

 

[TexasBoy]

I'm also going to install a 4 wheel pilot light when in 4 wheel.

How are you going to do this mod?

 

[Bluegill2]

I think this is where we here on TBN lack in understanding. Few users will put thousands of hours of use on their FEL tractors. Even fewer will put those hours on doing heavy FEL work. Most of us only ocassionally put heavy loads on our tractors. Even fewer of us do it over a lengthy period of time/hours.

With that said, if you are one of those rare users here that does heavy work for a long period of time, you better manage your time in 4wd wisely and not waste that minimal wear while putting down the open trail from point A to point B. You are gonna need that later.

You have a point there. We use our tractors pretty hard and do log more hours than most.

If it had been used heavily to the point it was teetering with the entire FEL load + tractor on the front axle, it is amazing how much even a 500 lb box blade on the 3pt can reduce the weight on the front axle.

The L3750 is larger and heavier than it's model number states. It's about the same size as a MX4700 and is heavy in the rear. It actually works good doing loader work with no counter weight, not tipy. But not much good in 2wd because too much weight on the front.

 

[WaxMan]

How are you going to do this mod?

I'll show you soon. A simple lever switch down by the 4 wheel selector, but it's the indicator that will make it nice.

 

[ovrszd]

Waxman is being overly generous saying that I answered any questions in regards to this subject. Heheheheheh.


Since this subject has been touched on several times,,,, I'll open a new can of worms.

In regards to rear ballast. It's been stated that by adding weight on the 3pt you can reduce the load on the front axle. I say only under specific conditions is this true. (Can't believe I'm sticking my head in this noose)

Here's one scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that is raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast to the point the rear tires now have weight on them. Did I reduce the load on the front axle??? Only if the 3pt weight exceeds the weight currently displayed on the rear tires. If the 3pt weight is less than the current weight on the rear tires I only added to the load on the front axle.

Here's a second scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that is raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast, but the rear tires are still in the air. Did I reduce the load on the front axle. Not at all. Actually I raised the load on the front axle. Now the front axle has to fulcrum the previous load plus the added weight on the 3pt. I only increased the stress on the front axle and it's components.

Here's a third scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that doesn't even come close to raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast. Did I reduce the load on the front axle. Yes I did. I created the fulcrum action talked about earlier. Now the 3pt weight is offsetting the weight on the front axle,,,, using the rear axle as a fulcrum.

Okay ladies,,,,, discuss away..... But think before you reply... :laughing:

 

[Bluegill2]

Richard, that is correct.

Just remember, we never want the smaller axle & tires to be the fulcrum. We want the Larger axle & tires to be the fulcrum...

 

[k0ua]

Here's one scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that is raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast to the point the rear tires now have weight on them. Did I reduce the load on the front axle??? Only if the 3pt weight exceeds the weight currently displayed on the rear tires. If the 3pt weight is less than the current weight on the rear tires I only added to the load on the front axle

I did not understand this scenario.. I agree with the other two. Can you reword this in some way to make it clearer to me?

edit:.. never mind,. took me a while.. I believe I got it and am good with it.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, that is correct.

Just remember, we never want the smaller axle & tires to be the fulcrum. We want the Larger axle & tires to be the fulcrum...

Don,,,, if the normal crowd gets in this discussion it'll be You and I against the World!!!!

 

[ovrszd]

I did not understand this scenario.. I agree with the other two. Can you reword this in some way to make it clearer to me?

I'll try James......

If I sat scales under my rear tires, and the weight they displayed was less than the weight added behind the rear axle, then part of that weight is still being transferred to the front axle. Where else would it be?? Try to think about the overall weight of the tractor and it's load. Every pound is displayed somewhere. If by adding that ballast I didn't add it all to the rear axle, then part of it must still be on the front axle. It didn't vanish.

 

[k0ua]

I'll try James......

If I sat scales under my rear tires, and the weight they displayed was less than the weight added behind the rear axle, then part of that weight is still being transferred to the front axle. Where else would it be?? Try to think about the overall weight of the tractor and it's load. Every pound is displayed somewhere. If by adding that ballast I didn't add it all to the rear axle, then part of it must still be on the front axle. It didn't vanish.

Yep, our posts crossed.. I edited my original query.