4 wheel drive question

[RedFirstGen]

On a couple different occasions lately when I've gotten my 4035 in situations where it's been real slick/slippery/snowy and needed 4 wheel I've noticed one front wheel spinning/working and the other doing nothing. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[GaryM]

The front differential is not limited slip. So if one wheel has no traction, that's where the power goes.

 

[RNeumann]

Second that. The "diff lock" only locks the rear differential. If the front was locked the steering would be difficult and it would be hard on the front axle and drivetrain components.

 

[RedFirstGen]

The front differential is not limited slip. So if one wheel has no traction, that's where the power goes.

but it will send power to both front wheels at the same time if need be?...

 

[GaryM]

but it will send power to both front wheels at the same time if need be?...

In a perfect world, assuming that both wheels have equal traction/grip, the diffential will split power equally to each axle. In real life, it works most of the time. Did you ever notice that the free wheel spins twice as fast?

 

[RNeumann]

but it will send power to both front wheels at the same time if need be?...

No. Stand by I'll find a YouTube to explain.

How a Differential works ? - YouTube

 

[RedFirstGen]

Ok. Thanks. Standing by...

 

[RNeumann]

It's very uncommon to have a limited slip or "locked" front axle. The steering axle has extra parts that allow for turning but also make the axle weaker and more prone to failure. The other reason, as described in the video, when turning the wheels need to travel at different speeds. If it's locked it makes turning more difficult.

In Jeeps or other extreme off road/rock crawling vehicles they typically have a differential that can be locked and unlocked as needed.

 

[Oldoak]

Some of the larger Ag 4-wheel drive tractors have limited slip front axils, in some of the Kubotas for instance.

 

[RalphVa]

Anytime I've had a front wheel spinning (usually the case; almost never have a rear wheel spinning), I've applied the diff lock and stopped the spinning.

Ralph