I'm not sure why you guys are all confused about the 4wd braking. It's slowing down because of the 4wd and the very little braking assistance I can provide helps out that much more. What is wrong with that from your point of view? My major concern is if someone thinks this indicitive of a hydro problem.
Braking effectiveness of a 4200
- Thread starter arrabil
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beenthere
Super Star Member
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- JD_4x2_Gator, JD_4300, JD_425, JD_455 AWS, added JD_455, JD_110, JD_X485(sold)
Concerned only because what you describe isn't normal. Shouldn't slow down appreciably faster in 4wd than it does in 2wd. Not confused, but something isn't right. And I would think you would feel it is not right, as well.
The hydro should slow your tractor down, whether in 2wd or in 4wd, in my opinion (and experience with my '99 4300 ).
The hydro should slow your tractor down, whether in 2wd or in 4wd, in my opinion (and experience with my '99 4300 ).
John_in_TN
Silver Member
I agree something is wrong, but I don't have any idea what! My 4200 was a gear model but the brakes were excellent - they had no problem locking the rear wheels with just moderate pedal pressure. Four wheel drive had very little effect on coast down. My 3520 is a hydro and when the pedals are released it will stop unless on a fairly steep slope. Good luck on sorting it out, and please post the final diagnosis.
Hmm. I'll have to test it some more after the New Year. To me the 4200 in 4wd acts like my off-road vehicle. But my X475 acts the way you're saying and not like the 4200.
Seems hard to believe there is a hydro problem being that everything else in the transmission acts as expected. But I was led there too by the lack of transmission braking I was initially expecting. However I chalked it up to weight and didn't give it another thought.
Keep in mind the tractor will come to a stop as expected on a flat or even slight downgrade. The "weirdness" is only on my steep driveway and even steeper piece of grass area.
We have snow coming. I'll test it out after snowblowing. Suggestions on things to try?
Seems hard to believe there is a hydro problem being that everything else in the transmission acts as expected. But I was led there too by the lack of transmission braking I was initially expecting. However I chalked it up to weight and didn't give it another thought.
Keep in mind the tractor will come to a stop as expected on a flat or even slight downgrade. The "weirdness" is only on my steep driveway and even steeper piece of grass area.
We have snow coming. I'll test it out after snowblowing. Suggestions on things to try?
John_in_TN
Silver Member
Sorry, I don't have any suggestions, but will be very interested in what you do find. By the way, I think you will find it does have "wet" brakes, inside the transmission housing. I know mine did, but it was a gear drive.
They are wet brakes but they are not in the transmission housing per se. They're in the what they call the "Left and Right Final Drive Housings."
You need to pull the wheels and ROPS and replace a seal on each side during reinstallation but you don't need to drain the fluid. That is a good design. Replacing wearable parts shouldn't be a complete overhaul. I like that.
I'm gonna try adjusting again them first though. With some beer and a happier disposition.
You need to pull the wheels and ROPS and replace a seal on each side during reinstallation but you don't need to drain the fluid. That is a good design. Replacing wearable parts shouldn't be a complete overhaul. I like that.
I'm gonna try adjusting again them first though. With some beer and a happier disposition.
dynasim
Platinum Member
Could be that one of the brakes is failing, and you are seeing the rotation of one of the tires, and it takes both being locked up to stop the tractor. 17 degrees is a steep hill.
Chris
Chris
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I had thought about that but then it _should_ pull to one side. Which it does not. And both wheels turn unless I'm jamming the brakes like crazy. And then both don't. That was my very first thought on the matter before deciding that maybe I'm just over estimating what a 2600lb tractor's brakes can do.
I'm happy to hear someone recognize that 17 degrees is pretty steep. I myself have guessed it at 30 degrees because everyone we know asks "You mow that?" But my neighbor measured it and its 17 degrees. Never would have thunk that 17 degrees was really that steep but it is.
I'm happy to hear someone recognize that 17 degrees is pretty steep. I myself have guessed it at 30 degrees because everyone we know asks "You mow that?" But my neighbor measured it and its 17 degrees. Never would have thunk that 17 degrees was really that steep but it is.