Hello guys, I recently purchased a used Kabota M6800DTHS and did not recieve a manual . I have ordered one I found online but in the meantime I was just wondering about the 4-wheel drive .Is the control lever for 4-wheel pulled up for 4-wheel or pushed down. Also do you need to be at a complete stop to change from 2-wheel to 4-wheel or can it be changed while in motion and does the clutch need to be disengaged. Dumb question for some but legit for me as never owned a 4 wheel drive anything. Thanks for your responses.
4-wheel drive
- Thread starter texoak51
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TripleR
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Definitely not a "dumb question" as they vary, our L5740 lever engages front wheel assist in the down position while we pull up on our M8540; don't know about your model; same for clutch and stopping to engage, yes on 5740 and no on M8540; sorry, maybe someone who knows that model can help.
Bluegill2
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Both mine pull up for 4wd, but they are L models.
It'd be pretty easy to test it in both positions to find 4wd, 2wd.
It'd be pretty easy to test it in both positions to find 4wd, 2wd.
ovrszd
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I'm guessing pull up to engage 4wd.
The M8540 or M9540 use a spring loaded shifting fork inside the transmission to engage/disengage. Because you pull up on the lever or push it down does not necessarily mean the 4wd is engaged or disengaged. You active the spring loaded mechanism and when the gears are properly aligned in the transmission the action will complete. It can be engaged or disengaged on the move with no clutch action. It has a dash light indicator to let you know when action is complete.
My old L4400 was a direct gear engagement system. When you moved the lever you were moving the gear inside the transmission. If it was not aligned you could not move the lever. Also when disengaging you could not move the lever until all drive pressure was relieved. It could be utilized without clutch use. It too had an indicator light on the dash.
The worst thing you can do to your drivetrain is to engage the 4wd while the tractor is spinning the rear tires. I'm talking about having the rears on slick traction and spinning them without forward movement of the tractor. Very hard on the driveline to engage then. Better to stop movement, engage the lever and then slowly start movement again to give the gears time to align.
Next worse thing is to leave the tractor in 4wd while on solid footing. I'm not talking about a few movements while doing loader tasks for example. I'm talking about leaving it in 4wd while driving down the road or while doing light chores in the barn lot or yard. The only time I leave my tractor in 4wd on solid footing is when doing loader work in steep timber terrain. The tractor only has brakes on the rear wheels. If you have the loader loaded and start down a steep incline in 2wd the rear wheels are apt to start sliding and there's nothing you can do to control the speed of the tractor's descent short of dropping the loader bucket on the ground. Being in 4wd means the front tires also respond to engine speed and/or brake pedal action. Most of the weight of the tractor is sitting on those two front tires so braking will have a positive affect and control the tractor.
Best way to learn how to use 4wd is to use it. Enjoy your new tractor!!!! You'll wonder how you ever got along without a 4wd vehicle!!!
The M8540 or M9540 use a spring loaded shifting fork inside the transmission to engage/disengage. Because you pull up on the lever or push it down does not necessarily mean the 4wd is engaged or disengaged. You active the spring loaded mechanism and when the gears are properly aligned in the transmission the action will complete. It can be engaged or disengaged on the move with no clutch action. It has a dash light indicator to let you know when action is complete.
My old L4400 was a direct gear engagement system. When you moved the lever you were moving the gear inside the transmission. If it was not aligned you could not move the lever. Also when disengaging you could not move the lever until all drive pressure was relieved. It could be utilized without clutch use. It too had an indicator light on the dash.
The worst thing you can do to your drivetrain is to engage the 4wd while the tractor is spinning the rear tires. I'm talking about having the rears on slick traction and spinning them without forward movement of the tractor. Very hard on the driveline to engage then. Better to stop movement, engage the lever and then slowly start movement again to give the gears time to align.
Next worse thing is to leave the tractor in 4wd while on solid footing. I'm not talking about a few movements while doing loader tasks for example. I'm talking about leaving it in 4wd while driving down the road or while doing light chores in the barn lot or yard. The only time I leave my tractor in 4wd on solid footing is when doing loader work in steep timber terrain. The tractor only has brakes on the rear wheels. If you have the loader loaded and start down a steep incline in 2wd the rear wheels are apt to start sliding and there's nothing you can do to control the speed of the tractor's descent short of dropping the loader bucket on the ground. Being in 4wd means the front tires also respond to engine speed and/or brake pedal action. Most of the weight of the tractor is sitting on those two front tires so braking will have a positive affect and control the tractor.
Best way to learn how to use 4wd is to use it. Enjoy your new tractor!!!! You'll wonder how you ever got along without a 4wd vehicle!!!
Thanks TX Jim, I appreciate all the info. Actually, I played with it a little yesturday and found out that 4-wheel the lever is up ,but did not want to try switching during movement without further info as didnt want to risk damage. Also my operators manual arrived in the mail so that helps to explain some things.
