I'm missing something: Front-end 4-wd

[Ortimber]

First I've heard that.

Me too. I’ve been doing it wrong for 35 years.

 

[5030]

First I've heard that.

Try it sometime and let your experience be your guide. You might get away with it once, maybe twice but you will find out, the hard way at some point.

 

[5030]

The rear locking feature uses pins. Jam the pins in with the wheel spinning and bad things happen.

 

[5030]

I am pretty sure it states that in your owners manual under operating, if you bother to read it that is.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Kioti DK47 se hst
I've noticed a couple of things. When I have it on solid pavement 4-wd is a definite no no. So I take it out of 4-wd before hitting pavement.
But in the muck with 4-wd engaged, lately I observed that the front wheels can spin freely and appear not to be driven.
For example I've had one wheel in slippery much or in the air and it doesn't spin with the driven wheels.

So concerned that maybe I broke sumpin', I asked my dealer. He's real straight shooter. I have every reason to trust him and none to not trust.
He told me that was normal.

But I''d been on pavement in 4-WD when I was new to the tractor and recall the chinky thumping behavior of the tractor on smpth pavement in a turn and at the time recognized that that unpleasant condition was because I stupidly had it in 4-WD.

So I asked Kioti this morning.
They got back right way with this
"Thank you for contacting KIOTI. To answer your question, the DK’s front differential is open with the power being distributed to the wheel with the least resistance."
OK
A) That doesn't jibe with my experience of seeing the wheel in the air not spinning.
and
B) That sort of makes no sense at all shouldn't it be the wheel with the most resistance? Did they just build a crap Automotive style limited slip in the front end?
and
C) DAMN~!! I'd have expected a lock up differential. Is there an after market item for that?
Don't bother telling me about the warranty. I already know. Ya can if ya want, I can't stop ya. But I already know.

I wouldn't want a locker in the front of a tractor. You don't have lock in hubs. Limited slip is fine. You say you don't run on pavement. Really no hard surface at all. Hard surface, 4x4, loader, something is gonna give. Any 4x4, ANY, the ratios change when you turn. Full time 4x4 vehicles have a differential in the transfer case. Even back in the 70's, full time trucks had a 203 t case with a diff in it. Just so it could be full time.

 

[LouNY]

I enjoy having and using the selectable locker in the front and rear of the larger tractor tractor,
they are engaged electrically and will disengage with a touch of a brake pedal or the switch.

 

[5030]

I certainly have no issue with either of mine having a mechanical locking front axle. I'd like electric but they are 20 years old so that was not available back then. Rarely use it but when required is nice to have. A lot of my use involves running on pavement to get from field to field.

 

[tradosaurus]

I am pretty sure it states that in your owners manual under operating, if you bother to read it that is.

Here's all the warnings on using the differential lock in my MX5400 manual:

Do not apply the differential lock while traveling at road speeds. The tractor may run out of control.
When using the differential lock, always slow the engine down.
To prevent damage to power train, do not engage differential lock when one wheel is spinning and the other is completely stopped.
If the differential lock cannot be released, step lightly on the brake pedals alternately.
Do not operate the tractor at high speed with differential lock engaged.
Do not attempt to turn with the differential lock engaged.
Be sure to release the differential lock before making a turn in field conditions.

So looks like you don't have to "cease movement" to operate the diff lock. Have you bothered to read your manual, mommy?

 

[Doughknob]

My bobcat manual says to only engage diff lock when stopped…..

 

[5030]

Here's all the warnings on using the differential lock in my MX5400 manual:



So looks like you don't have to "cease movement" to operate the diff lock. Have you bothered to read your manual, mommy?

You seem to have a reading comprehension issue...

I said EXACTLY what you posted from your manual...

"To prevent damage to power train, do not engage differential lock when one wheel is spinning and the other is completely stopped."

Nothing more.

I have my owners manuals for every piece of equipment and the tractors I own but I prefer the shop manuals which I have as well.

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