Traction 4 Wheel Drive Question ??

[andersonst]

Can anyone explain to me exactly how the 4WD drivetrain works on the CT335HST?
Heres the way I understand it, when in 2WD, there is only power to one rear wheel and the other rear wheel is limited slip (not posi so basically one wheel drive). When in 4WD, there is only power to one rear wheel and the other is limited slip and power to one front wheel (basically 2WD). So what exactly happens when I press the diff-lock pedal??
Is this correct or is it positracion which gives it full power to both rear wheels and when in 4WD it also gives power to one front wheel (3WD) and the diff-lock gives power to both front wheels (4WD)??
Its mud season now and I'd like to better understand just how the drivetrain works.
Thanks

 

[DK35vince]

Stepping on the diff-lock will lock in both rear wheels.
In 4 WD you will have power to one front wheel and one rear wheel.
In 4 WD with the diff-lock engaged you will have power to both rear wheels and one front wheel (basically 3 wheel drive.)

 

[k0ua]

Can anyone explain to me exactly how the 4WD drivetrain works on the CT335HST?
Heres the way I understand it, when in 2WD, there is only power to one rear wheel and the other rear wheel is limited slip (not posi so basically one wheel drive). When in 4WD, there is only power to one rear wheel and the other is limited slip and power to one front wheel (basically 2WD). So what exactly happens when I press the diff-lock pedal??
Is this correct or is it positracion which gives it full power to both rear wheels and when in 4WD it also gives power to one front wheel (3WD) and the diff-lock gives power to both front wheels (4WD)??
Its mud season now and I'd like to better understand just how the drivetrain works.
Thanks

Well you are close, and this subject usually starts a "storm" of comments, but here are my comments:, in 2WD you really have 2 wheels driving UNLESS one of them loses traction due to slippery conditions, then the slipping wheel speeds up and slips and the other wheel slows down. If you press the differential lock then they are mechanically locked together, and both will rotate at the same speed. In 4WD the same thing happens, but the front axles do not have a differential lock so if you press the rear differential lock, you will have 2 rear axles solidly locked together, but the front axles would still have an "open" differential and are allowed to have one wheel spinning faster than the other. Sometimes you can vary the traction condition of the fronts by turning the steering wheel side to side to allow the faster spinning wheel to find a more tractive surface and get more "bite" and slow down causing the slow wheel to speed up and "Pull" more. I have tried to choose my words carefully, to avoid the usual controversy that surrounds this subject. The best video I have ever seen on this subject was made in the 1930's by GM and is on You-tube, If you watch this video a couple of times you will know more about differentials than 99% of all people on earth.
Hope this helps, and did not mean to stir anything up.

James K0UA

 

[SPYDERLK]

Well you are close, and this subject usually starts a "storm" of comments.

James K0UA

It may start a storm of opinion style comments that blur the issue by being incorrect. The fact is that both wheels on an open differential always drive. The force supplied by the pair however is limited to twice the force that can be supplied by the one having lesser traction. If there is no traction on one or both wheels you have no go. That is not one wheel drive - its kinda 0wd. But really 2wd, limited as defined.
larry