5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 20,531
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
All depends on how often you want to buy new tires....I rarely use front wheel assist myself.
Agreed. Plus when in 4wd, the turning radius gets larger. If 4wd on grass, the grass gets torn up as well.4WD assist couples the front and rear together so that the rear brakes can help on hills ...
Sure you can use them all the time in 4wd, but running a 4wd assist full time puts unnecessary wear on the drive system because of the lack of a driveline differential.
rScotty
When you do not have automatic applied 4w drive, in those hairy cases, I suggest safe rather than sorry. Engage the 4w drive before finding out you should have!I have 3 full size JD (5000, 6000, 7000) and note that when I apply both brakes simultaneously, those tractors automatically engage the 4wd electronic solenoid, meaning that they automatically have 4 wheel brakes.
On ground like pavement or hard packed gravel this is true, but on grass, soil, sand, loose gravel etc. the looseness of the material you are operating on acts as a de facto differential allowing the wheels to work a slightly different speeds without undo stress.Sure you can use them all the time in 4wd, but running a 4wd assist full time puts unnecessary wear on the drive system because of the lack of a driveline differential.
Were you sitting in the same seat with me? See my earlier post.. did exactly the same as you.. hit the steepest part of our hill, had to make a 90 degree turn, the rears locked and sliding... I stopped about 200 yards downhill... It is a horrible feeling...Went slowly down the road, decided to slow down a little, couldn't. Applied the brakes - slid 18 feet before getting it stopped. Couldn't put the bucket down to the ground - hauling the generator on chain hooks. I thought to myself - Damn idiot - will you never learn?