When to use four wheel drive?

[ovrszd]

These conversations are very educational and much needed here on TBN.

 

[PhysAssist]

Lots of solid replies... gonna depend on your specific terrain. I am on slopes 90% of the time and off hard pavement so my default is 4x4 engaged. If I go onto hard surface I disengage... go off road I engage. Makes life simpler and safer.

Similarly- where we don't have hills, we have swamp, and very little in between- none which we particularly care about scuffing up a little, so we take 4WD off as we head into the barn to park it, and re-engage it when it has pulled off the pavement and onto the gravel driveway/parking pad.

Also, we always disengage for the [very rare] episodes of road travel.

 

[PhysAssist]

Your Kubota will be the only newer model I've ever saw without an indicator if it doen't have one. Mine is a small green tractor shaped light in the dash pod. Similar in size to the PTO indicator.

Define newer please?

Ours is a 2011, and the only indicator is the 2WD-4WD lever to the right of the seat.

On a really big honking full-size Ag tractor, it would make sense to have an idiot light for it, but on our little CUT, it'd likely be overkill.

 

[ovrszd]

Define newer please?

Ours is a 2011, and the only indicator is the 2WD-4WD lever to the right of the seat.

On a really big honking full-size Ag tractor, it would make sense to have an idiot light for it, but on our little CUT, it'd likely be overkill.

He has a Grand L 40 series. I've never heard of that tractor without an indicator light. His owner's manual would quickly answer the question. Go to the page that describes the dash functions.

 

[ovrszd]

Similarly- where we don't have hills, we have swamp, and very little in between- none which we particularly care about scuffing up a little, so we take 4WD off as we head into the barn to park it, and re-engage it when it has pulled off the pavement and onto the gravel driveway/parking pad.

Also, we always disengage for the [very rare] episodes of road travel.

With your use methods no light is required. Not sure why you bother to disengage when parking.

 

[RalphVa]

Last Fall I bought a JD 3038e I really like, but how/when do you use 4x4? Sounds like a stupid question, but I forget and leave it in 4wd a lot. I was bushhogging just now in 2wd, but hilly parts and it started to rain I had to put it in 4x4. I guess my point is does it hurt to leave it in 4x4 or better not to. Thanks!

In hilly terrain, if you want to be safe, ALWAYS leave it in 4wd. Otherwise, you'll have no brakes when going downhill.

Ralph

 

[theg]

I never ever use it cause i don稚 want to have wear on tires gears.(lol) If you need it use it. As stated not good on dry hard surface, it will cause binding if you turn. Don稚 stress about wear, that痴 like being worried about death. just do maintenance when required or you want to and the gears will outlive us. Tractors are made to work, not working them is worse than the occasional leaving it in front wheel assist going down the road. Worry less play more.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Only when needed. Saves fuel and wear and tear especially tires.

Yep. Not needed (really) most of the time, and it can do a number on the lawn if you forget! (I don't forget for long; the tractor feels different with 4WD engaged.)

 

[CincyFlyer]

In hilly terrain, if you want to be safe, ALWAYS leave it in 4wd. Otherwise, you'll have no brakes when going downhill.

Ralph

Except, of course, for your rear brakes! But I know what you mean, as much weight shifts toward the front going down a steep hill.

 

[Jstpssng]

Actually the answer is simple.

Only when rear differential lock fails to do the job.

I do it the exact opposite; about the only time I use the diff lock is when I'm plowing snow. Yet I run in 4WD anytime that I might lose traction; which includes plowing, disking, or tilling my garden.