3032E pop when using differential lock

[kcflhrc]

I was out brush hogging Saturday and needed to apply the differential lock. I heard a pop when applying it. Kinda like a gear bang maybe. Just did it once and never heard it again. I was kind of turning when I applied it so I don't know if that might have caused it. Never could duplicate the issue again. Ideas?

 

[beenthere]

Differential lock does just that... as the wheels need to move at different rpm when in a turn.
Hope the "pop" wasn't a pin breaking off. Time will likely tell.

If in a turn, and a wheel is spinning, I try applying the brake to that spinning wheel to get the other one to take the load. Usually works well that way. VERY seldom will I apply the diff lock, and then only when the wheels are not spinning and when going straight.

 

[kcflhrc]

The diff lock on a 3032e is the brake pedal. You push it down slightly to engage. No individual brake pedals on this model.

 

[beenthere]

No individual brake pedals on this model.

????? Hard for me to believe... but will accept it for what it is. Wouldn't have a tractor without individual brake pedals, unless it was just a lawn tractor for mowing.

 

[kcflhrc]

Not quite a lawn tractor but never the less a small tractor. It works for me, I would get confused with 2 brake pedals anyway. :thumbsup: I do have 2 GO pedals, one for forward and one for reverse. :laughing:

 

[beenthere]

I think the engineers are confused as well. Apparently there are other brands whose engineers don't know the significance of individual rear wheel brakes as they put these brakes on the same side as the forward/reverse pedals.
Not something I would be without. Bad enough to not have them on my lawn tractors.
But differential lock and turning do not mix. Defeats the sole purpose of a differential that allows turning.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The diff lock on a 3032e is the brake pedal. You push it down slightly to engage. No individual brake pedals on this model.

Sounds dangerous if turning and need the brakes. Could turn out to be the breaks.

I think the engineers are confused as well. Apparently there are other brands whose engineers don't know the significance of individual rear wheel brakes as they put these brakes on the same side as the forward/reverse pedals.
Not something I would be without. Bad enough to not have them on my lawn tractors.
But differential lock and turning do not mix. Defeats the sole purpose of a differential that allows turning.

There is a lot of unfamiliarity with split brakes on the forum; and hence a general lack of appreciation for their broad range of benefits. One of the WORST things done in design of modern tractors is locking only one split brake and joining the other to it. This causes them to have to be joined for parking and most leave them joined. Theyre never ready when you need em and you get no natural practice hitting the brakes separately or in tandem.
,,,larry

 

[arlen4720]

I think the engineers are confused as well. Apparently there are other brands whose engineers don't know the significance of individual rear wheel brakes as they put these brakes on the same side as the forward/reverse pedals.
Not something I would be without. Bad enough to not have them on my lawn tractors.
But differential lock and turning do not mix. Defeats the sole purpose of a differential that allows turning.

Probably the marketing people are the ones that are confused.

 

[DKCDKC]

I've got a 3038 JD after years of other tractors - lastly a JD 2030 - with individual brake pedals. And I used those pedals for tight turns and other things. But these CUTs have such a tight turning radius that I really haven't missed the dual brakes. You do activate the diff lock with a slight push on the brake, but it doesn't activate if you just push it to stop. Of course, the brakes on these little tractors don't get that much work anyway because you can slow effectively by releasing pressure on the directional pedal. At least that's how it works for me.

Life is full of tradeoffs, and losing the individual brake pedals on a small tractor for me is just no loss. Biggest negative tradeoff for me is the narrowness of CUTs and their inability to maneuver across any significant slopes the way my older, bigger tractors could. But, with old knees and such, it was just getting too hard to mount a 60 horse-plus tractor.

 

[Steve IA]

I agree with what DKCDKC says. Also I've found on my 3032 that the diff. lock stays on all the time if you pull the parking brake up a couple of clicks. Diff locked tires sure tear up the turf when turning while mowing.
Steve IA

 

[kcflhrc]

I put the rear up on a floor jack yesterday to check the diff lock, works as advertised. So the pop I heard apparently didn't break anything.

 

[MechE1]

I get a very loud popping sound on my 3046R when the diff. lock disengages. Loud enough for me to ask myself WTF was that? Then I remember that its was the lock (likely the spring lever) returning to position. When I get a chance, I'll look to see if that lock return is cushioned or if it hits metal to metal.

 

[kcflhrc]

I get a very loud popping sound on my 3046R when the diff. lock disengages. Loud enough for me to ask myself WTF was that? Then I remember that its was the lock (likely the spring lever) returning to position. When I get a chance, I'll look to see if that lock return is cushioned or if it hits metal to metal.

That very well may be what I heard. I was brush hogging the ditch and the tractor was in a very strange angle.