Automatic 4X4 for brake assist; like or dislike?

[BillyP]

MFWD can be engaged and disengaged in all gears (forward and reverse) during operation and under full load. Switch (A) has three operating positions:

• Center ON position engages MFWD full time.
• Top AUTO position disengages MFWD automatically when either brake pedal is pressed or if speed exceeds 14 km/h (8.6 mph). MFWD automatically re-engages when brakes are released and speed is below 14 km/h (8.6 mph).
• Bottom BRAKE ASSIST position engages MFWD when BOTH brake pedals are depressed.

 

[1bush2hog]

What??? No Pictures?

Congrats on the new tractor - the 5425 is a nice machine

Sounds like a pretty good safety feature to me, then again most of my property is sloped so I may be a little biased. I usually put my TN in MFWD before going down the steeper slopes anyway - wet or dry

Good to see you back to Dargo!

 

[Dargo]

If it kicked into 4x4 from 2wd, that's something else again and could get annoying if you like to use individual braking on the rear wheels. Test it and let us know if it goes into 4x4 when using the steering brakes in 2wd.

Your thought is exactly as what I was thinking. I didn't expect it to go into 4X4 from the 2wd setting, but that is what it does. And, it does not lock into 4X4 if you are only using one brake for turning. BillyP posted exactly what my choices are; thanks. I probably should have posted what my options are as you did for me.

I think I am of the mindset as most here; I like things that make operation of the tractor safer...but my little pea brain still wants to be able to override that setup if I want. For example; when I am mowing what amounts to be basically 10 acres of flat land, I don't like the 4X4 kicking in everytime I use the brakes to stop or slow at each end of the area. With loaded R1's on it, it tends to leave marks, which is why I have a thread in another area asking where I can possibly buy a spare set of rims to mount R4's on. As BillyP noted, it is a tad bit large to be a lawn mower. With the FEL, HD 84" WorkSite Pro bucket, 8' finish mower, cab and me; I'm just over 12k on the scales.

It's not just a huge amount larger than the Kubota 5030, but it sure weighs a lot more and has quite a bit more hp. The weight, the R1's and that automatic 4X4 is what is leaving marks in my yard now. Out in big open areas where I don't need to turn around for over a mile it's no big deal. Still, for whatever reason, I would like the option of disabling that safety feature. Hmm, after I put it that way, it doesn't sound like a smart thing to do...

 

[MarkV]

Dargo I think you are over looking the obvious. Park that beast and use the 1982 custom Murray push mower you list in your tag line.

MarkV

 

[RoyJackson]

As BillyP noted, it is a tad bit large to be a lawn mower. With the FEL, HD 84" WorkSite Pro bucket, 8' finish mower, cab and me; I'm just over 12k on the scales.

It's not just a huge amount larger than the Kubota 5030, but it sure weighs a lot more and has quite a bit more hp. The weight, the R1's and that automatic 4X4 is what is leaving marks in my yard now. Out in big open areas where I don't need to turn around for over a mile it's no big deal. Still, for whatever reason, I would like the option of disabling that safety feature. Hmm, after I put it that way, it doesn't sound like a smart thing to do...

That's a nice looking pair of tractors, especially the green one!

You finish mow with that Deere?? How big is your lawn?

 

[daTeacha]

MFWD can be engaged and disengaged in all gears (forward and reverse) during operation and under full load. Switch (A) has three operating positions:

• Center ON position engages MFWD full time.
• Top AUTO position disengages MFWD automatically when either brake pedal is pressed or if speed exceeds 14 km/h (8.6 mph). MFWD automatically re-engages when brakes are released and speed is below 14 km/h (8.6 mph).
• Bottom BRAKE ASSIST position engages MFWD when BOTH brake pedals are depressed.

I'm not familiar with Deere equipment so bear with me. When I was shopping, the thing I liked about them was that you could use the steering brakes and the HST. Most other brands make it more or less impossible unless you have cruise engaged and then one wheel brake will not disengage the cruise but the other will.

So let's say you're rolling along in AUTO. According to the above, this means you are in 4wd, not 2wd, unlike automotive systems. When you hit a place where you want to turn using the steering brakes, the 4wd disengages saving wear on the front end and the ground under the front tires, then 4wd comes back on when the turn is complete.

The BRAKE ASSIST setting lets you run in 2wd but if you hit the brakes, 4wd comes in to slow the front wheels as well as the rears, effectively tying the two axles together so using the brakes benefits from the traction provided by all four wheels.

And finally the ON position just has it in 4wd all the time. What if you're in ON and hit one brake? Does 4wd stay engaged? It sounds like it would.

It sounds pretty reasonable to me. The only thing is there is no way to run in 2wd and not have 4wd come into play whenever you hit the brakes. That could only be a problem if the braking action in the front causes the fronts to slide so you lose steerng control. I could live with it, but I prefer to do things myself.

 

[Dargo]

I could live with it, but I prefer to do things myself.

I think you summed up things rather well right there.

 

[JoshJ]

Dargo-

seems like there should be a switch on your brake pedals that activates the 4wd. I'd bet if you disconnected one (or both) switches and used "brake assist" mode, it would stay in 2wd. or you could unlock your brakes and use one side to slow down in "brake assist" mode, seems like that would work too

 

[N80]

Well, from the original post it sounds like this is a very good feature. If you were heading down the side of a dam with wet grass in two wheel drive, its a good thing that it did do the thinking for you. (That sounds preachy, but that's not the way it is intended. We all forget to do what we're supposed to do from time to time and I know I've done the same sort of thing.) But if it saved your bacon once, maybe its a good thing it always stays 'on'. Like the others, I don't like the idea of fancy electronics on a tractor...but at least for now it seems to have worked as advertised.

 

[AndyMA]

My TN75D has this feature. Stops well. I never even notice it working other than to see the 4WD light come on. Has not caused any problems.

Andy