Differential lock/4x4

   / Differential lock/4x4 #31  
Chris, Terry's right. As you know, anytime you turn at all, all 4 wheels do not travel the same distance. The difference in the distance one rear wheel travels in relation to the other rear wheel is compensated for by the differential (unless you have the differential lock engaged which you should not do unless you intend to travel in a straight line only). The same is true of the front wheels; however, on our tractors and a lot of other 4WD vehicles, there is no third differential to take care of the difference in distance traveled by the front wheels in relation to the rear wheels. AWD (all wheel drive) cars and trucks do have that third differential. It's probably also nearly impossible to get an exact rolling circumference ratio between your front and rear wheels, so tractors with properly matched tires usually have a very slight "lead" on the front wheels; i.e., they are very slightly pulling ahead of the back end. So, in other words you're putting quite a bind on the drive line unless the tires can slip just a little bit, which they do quite well in dirt, grass, snow and ice, etc.

BirdSig.jpg
 
   / Differential lock/4x4 #32  
Thanks, Bird and Terry. That makes perfect sense!

--Chris
 

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