Kubota M108X Bi-Speed turn question

[Fromjim]

Not getting into this to deep but we recently upgraded a farmer to a larger Kubota. He was unaware of the bi-speed and how it worked when the salesmen was showing him how to operate the tractor.

The wheel setting from the dealer that he purchased it from had not set the wheel spacing right and his would not work until we set it up right to allow the front to fully turn.

I suspect something of that nature with mine also, we never even talked or knew bi-speed existed when I bought this tractor, I was actually buying a 95 hp tractor with less options at the time and I was offered this one since the 95 hp model was not available at the time, it seemed like a good deal so I accepted not even know that this tractor is much higher in options and power.

Do you mean the spacing between wheels or the spacers stops that allow the wheels to left or right? I was thinking of removing one or two of the stop shims to let the wheels turn a little farther and see if this helped.

Praise the Lord

Jim

 

[CumminsLuke]

I have an M9580 that has it and I don't ever use it cause it is kind of jerky.

 

[B2400]

It sounds like the system on your M108 is vastly more complicated than the all mechanical bi-speed on mine. It is a handy item that I use frequently when mowing around trees on hillsides but don't use it at any other time. The manual states not to use it in conjunction with the endloader, but I'm sure that it's due to the significantly lighter duty status of the little b-series! I would check into those wheel angle sensors, it seems that power should be applied to both wheels though...

 

[Fromjim]

It sounds like the system on your M108 is vastly more complicated than the all mechanical bi-speed on mine. It is a handy item that I use frequently when mowing around trees on hillsides but don't use it at any other time. The manual states not to use it in conjunction with the endloader, but I'm sure that it's due to the significantly lighter duty status of the little b-series! I would check into those wheel angle sensors, it seems that power should be applied to both wheels though...

I could have power to both wheels simply by locking the front end by selecting "Lock front wheel" switch in the cab, the problem is I don't have any instructions on how to use the bi-speed feature and when the 1.6 increase in speed is mentioned in my manual it does not say in relation to what, back wheels or the other front wheel. When I observed mine I noticed the outside wheel in front was turning faster than the other and if the inside wheel did turn at the same rate as the outside wheel it would do a great deal of spinning, even the outside wheel spins when the bi-speed kicks in.

Thanks
Jim

 

[Fromjim]

Problem Finally Solved

Thanks to everyone who supplied ideas and experiences I want to let you know that beginning with one of the easiest I had success. I simply removed the wheel stops. The stops that are near pivot point on the axle that prevent the wheel from turning too far. Then I carefully tried the tractor in tight right and left turns, the bi-speed kicked in and worked beautifully, smooth and allow a very tight turn in either direction, I was in light snow and could see the effect of the outer front wheel, the one farthest from the center, turning slightly faster then the inside front wheel. I also tried this with the differential lock on, both front wheels turned at the same speed although faster than the rear wheels and the inside front spinning on the snow, there was noticalby more strain, the turn was not as smooth and the circle was the same diameter, no advantage and undoubtably more wear on tires and tractor.

I concluded that the stops on one side prevented the wheels from reaching the required degree that would allow the switch, which is activated by the wheel angle, to send a signal to activate the clutch that engages the bi-speed gears, also the number of shims on each side was five, I now have only one installed and even without the bi-speed I can make tighter turns.

Thank you everyone,

God bless

Happy New Year

Jim

If anyone needs more information post here or write me. I can also supply photos to make this easier to understand.

 

[slowzuki]

Just to clarify, many years later, the bi-speed turn just turns the driveshaft to the front axle faster when activated. There is no individual wheel stuff going on, its simply a little gearset actuated by a solenoid. The solenoid is turned on by a switch on the kingpins that senses turn angle.

It seems pretty useless in north america but in slick rice fields etc it may help. Its disabled on mine as the previous owner didn't like it.

 

[MHarryE]

Just to clarify, many years later, the bi-speed turn just turns the driveshaft to the front axle faster when activated. There is no individual wheel stuff going on, its simply a little gearset actuated by a solenoid. The solenoid is turned on by a switch on the kingpins that senses turn angle. It seems pretty useless in north america but in slick rice fields etc it may help. Its disabled on mine as the previous owner didn't like it.

Depends on what you are doing. If turning on end rows, saves on turning brakes because it will whip the front end around sharp. Startled my wife when I was teaching her the controls of our tractor with bi-speed. She was not expecting that snap turn but I was watching around to make sure we were safe. I've found it useful, and it's just an on/off rocker switch on mine, just like the front diff lock.