Greetings Overszd,
I had posted: "As another example - my scut is certainly not awd - however I'm in 4wd (front wheel assist if you require the phrase) - but neither I or anyone else could tell on lawn or dirt or gravel - that my steering is altered in any way from 2wd. Only on dry concrete or dry blacktop can you "sense" a different sound in 4wd to 2wd - and in no way does it alter the turning ease and turning circle. Maybe larger compact tractors and older equipment is stiffer steering in 4wd compared to 2wd - but I've never ridden on any that are even though I know my neighbor's jd x728 lawn tractor is stiffer in 4wd."
And in response you posted:
I challenge you to a test. With your scut in 2wd, turn the steering one direction to full turn, drive forward for 2 or 3 complete circles so you can see and mark the inside diameter of the circle, stop and mark it. Now engage 4wd and make 2 or 3 more complete circles. Can you stay in the same tracks?
If your turning circle grows that's called "push". Your back tires are out running the fronts and pushing the front out of the circle.
If the circle remains the same diameter with no sign of push the front ratio is different enough to compensate for the different ground distance being covered. If you have this condition you will have severe "pull" when going straight.
I don't know of any SCUT, CUT or Utility class FWA tractor that doesn't display one of these "push" "pull" conditions. Thus, they are all binding and scuffing at some point.
Very high end AG class FWA tractors have the technology to vary the ratio dependent on degree of turn measured at the axis of the front axle knuckles. This allows them to make short turns at the end of the field without disengaging FWA.
Well Overszd, I guess you don't know many current day scuts then, because my Massey GC1715 is one of 4 models and I would propose that all 4 of those models will handle the same. And in testing - my particular unit performs exactly as I stated on grass. You "challenged" me to do a set of instructions you listed and then you prophesied I would have 1 of 2 types of occurrences display themselves. Well . . . . in 2wd, I tight turned to the left in the tightest circle possible and at moderate speed (not creep or crawl speed) - and as you specified it wasn't for one lap but 3. Then I switched in to 4wd as per your requirements and went in the same tight left hand tight turn circle . . . again 3 laps. Then as you required, I turned to going straight ahead.
The result? I was able to maintain the same turn circle size and position over the 2 sets of 3 laps. (I varied in 2wd on the 3 laps by 1.1 inches of each other in circle size - in 4wd I varied within 1.2 inches of each lap in circle size.) And I was able within those individual variations of each lap to be in the very same turning circle between 2wd and 4wd of LESS THAN 0.2 inches. Then I went straight and saw or felt or heard no difference in performance.
At no time during this "challenge" did I sense any tightening or stiffness or resistance to steering. At no time did it require more or less strength or did I hear or experience any of the conditions you stated.
You also posted as a followup to our discussion the following:
"I've had a FWA SCUT for 15 years. Two models. Nothing bold about my statement at all. Simple logistics."
But Overszd - I suggest you make bold statements like this one was "I don't know of any SCUT, CUT or Utility class FWA tractor that doesn't display one of these "push" "pull" conditions."
How is that not a very bold statement when you have such a tiny little (and aged) experience with only 2 scuts and especially older model equipment besides. The universe of well known scuts is 8 to a dozen brands minimum with numerous models in each and then who knows how many more not well known brands besides.
I also suggest Overszd that you predicted CERTAINTY of the future results to be stated in more than two following posts as well. When in fact the result was anything but certain.
As a poster, I quite often communicate my opinion but also clarify that opinion to my model or my amount of experience or other model experiences so as not to mislead readers and imply a level of knowledge I don't have or can prove. I post too many words often - but its specifically because I specify the conditions of my statements. I only have experience having driven/operated about 12 different models/brands of scuts and only 3 models of small compacts, and I never state or assume product size or equipment I have no experience with. All of us can make mistakes in our posts - but we also need to be responsible as words have importance - and brash statements can influence some readers to be influenced incorrectly by inaccurate posts.
I appreciate you wanted to challenge my statements - and I think that is fine as long as youdon't think you can "command it". But I dislike your boldness (or maybe its just arrogance) that you could be the only possible correct one (and with only 2 scuts as experience besides).
I'm sure you have a ton of valuable and desired experience in various areas relating to tractors that I don't have even though we are likely very similar in age (early 60's). Please aim that valued experience with a more accurate siteline and direction or clarify it so there is no confusion. I'd hate to see you look wrong again after prophesying certainty several times. Thank you.
?
