Best way of Getting an HST tractor out of 4x4 when it seems to be stuck?

[Porchfan]

So I have two tractors, a B2650 and a Bx2380. Both are HST and are used regularly in and out of 4 wheel drive. I have always had a hard time getting the BX out of 4x4 mode until yesterday. Never with the B2650. Yesterday, I was really struggling getting the BX out of 4x4. Not sure why this time was really bad. What I would usually do is move the tractor back and forth until I could jam the lever out of 4x4. Sometimes it would
make a banging noise when I succeeded. Other times
It would be a little tough and no noise. I’ve tried reverse, neutral, the brake, steering wheel
Positions, being on a hill going down, or go up and still no consensus on the best way to do this.
I had just got on my concrete driveway and that usually is always worse. Yesterday it was just stuck big time and so was I.

Sitting there for about 10 minutes it dawned on me that the hydrostatic torque on the front wheels could be the reason why it is so hard to move out of 4x4. I then thought if I could lift the wheels up, that torque would reduce enough or go away and I’d be able to get it out of 4x4.
So - I tried it using the FEL and bucket and BINGO! After lifting the front wheels off the ground, the lever to move out of 4x4 was never easier to move. I could move it with my bad pinky. Ok. So now I have a way if I have the FEL on the tractor. Problem is I use this tractor to mow the yard and rarely have the FEL attached when mowing. I also have to put it in 4x4 in a couple spots when mowing in the yard so the rear wheel don’t spin and tear the yard up.

Ugh.

Curious if any of you all have had this issue and have done what I did or something else that gets you out of 4x4? What’s the best way to get out of 4x4 when you don’t have the FEL on? Also interested in understanding why I’ve never had an issue with my B2650 going to 2 wheel from 4 wheel drive? Maybe I need to read the manual? I’ve only had the Bx for 5 months. Haha. Fire away folks.
Thanks -

 

[jeff9366]

Sitting there it dawned on me that the hydrostatic torque on the front wheels could be the reason why it is so hard to move out of 4x4.

Move a few inches slowly in REVERSE to release torque on the front wheels.

 

[ptsg]

Using the FEL to lift the front wheels is a good trick, when you have the FEL on as you mentioned.

What I do most of the times is just switching between back and forth while applying gentle pressure on the 4WD lever.

Lets say I was moving forward and wanted to disengage the 4WD. I just stop, put it into reverse, then let it go backwards while applying gentle pressure on the lever. Once all the tension is good, it'll pop right off. It usually takes a good foot or two.

The same goes if you're going backwards and want to disengage the 4WD. Just go forwards while applying gentle pressure to the lever.

This applies to all tractors with mechanical actuated 4WD. Once you get used to it, you'll find it very easy to go in and out of 4WD.

It's not good to force the lever in and out of gear. If it's not going out, it's because there is too much tension on the driveline. If it's not going into 4wd, it's because the teeth or splines are not fully aligned. It's easy to bent or break the forks inside the transmission which causes an expensive repair.

 

[tradosaurus]

I never take mine out of 4wd.

 

[crazyal]

In a car/ truck the gearing and tire size is the same so it's easier than a tractor. Because of the different size tires between front and back the gearing must also be different. It's pretty much impossible to get the gearing in the differentials to be exact to match the different size tires so they just get it close. If one tractor is easier it most likely is because the tires and gears are a closer match between front and back. Tricks that can help are, like others said, reversing. Your idea of lifting the front axle off the ground is also a good way. Experiment with going straight vs turning as you reverse since turning changes the speed at which the front wheels turn.

 

[thclimer]

I have never had the FEL trick fail me when gentle pressure on the lever to remove from 4-wheel drive doesn't work. As others have said move forward or reverse while turning left to right is another option, it just doesn't work 100% of the time for me or if I'm on the lawn doing the forward or reverse can tear up the grass.

 

[rScotty]

If lifting the front axle helps to shift out of 4wd, you have "wind up" torque on the front driveshaft and also on the transmission shafts. It's as simple as that.

The wind up comes from having a front to rear tire rolling circumference that doesn't match the internal gearing quite right. Some of that is normal because all manufacturers make the front axle to be a slightly higher ratio so that you will always have steering with the front wheels instead of pushing the front end to the side with the rears. You can't change the internal ratio. But some of the mismatch it is due to the tires and made worse by high traction surfaces (asphalt) or lots of load in the FEL.

Most of the time the mismatch in front to rear tire ratio got that way by not taking the front-to-rear rolling circumference of the tires into account when changing to a different size tire or tread.

If it is real hard to shift out of 4wd, you are shortening the life of the front drive shaft U joints.... but it's anyone's guess as to how much or whether it is ever going to be a problem. You'll know it is a problem if it starts making a popping sound in 4WD. If caught in time, it's not a major repair.

Best mechanical practice is to only use 4wd when you have a need for it.
Good Luck,
rScotty

 

[oosik]

I seldom need/use 4WD. But when I do it goes in/out quite easily and with a solid - "thunk". I would check the inflation pressure of both front tires. They should be, basically, the same pressure and within the limits recommended on the tire or in your tractor op manual.

 

[Thomas]

Tractor on somewhat level ground easier to release 4wd....also use the bucket trick. :thumbsup:

 

[RjCorazza]

My experience is similar to other posts. I've never had to resort to raising the front though. I generally slowly move forward while applying light pressure to the 4wd lever, and never engage or disengage on pavement.