Differential lock

[TVZ]

I can't figure out how to lock the differential on my MF 1726E. The control by my right foot is sort of an upside-down capital "L", and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to move the lever down or to the side. Even by stepping on it, I can't seem to engage it by moving the lever down; but I also can't move it sideways. Can anybody clue me in here? Thnx...

 

[ruffdog]

I tried finding info but could only find a review saying you use your right heel. Normally, on other tractors, you put your heel on it and you feel it click in once the holes line up. Just try it. Drive slowly in a tight circle, push down with your heel, feel for it to engage. Once it does, it will start skidding one of the rear tires when driving in a tight circle. To unlock, let off your heel and back up to release the pressure on the mechanism and it pop out.

 

[oosik]

I push down with my right heel - about 25-30 pounds - you can feel it click and engage. When it engages the lever and your heel will drop down to the floor. Get your heel off the lever - it will click up and disengage. I don't remember ever having to back up to disengage. Of course, I've never driven in tight circles with the diffy lock engaged.

 

[ruffdog]

The tight circle thing was just for a quick test. (easier than finding a bunch of mud to play in)

 

[oosik]

You got a point there ruffdog.

 

[davrow]

Do you need to have 4-wheel drive engaged for diff lock to work?

 

[oosik]

On my tractor the diffy lock works in 2WD and/or 4WD. I would expect most 4WD tractors are that way. My lock works on the rear diffy only.

 

[WranglerX]

On my GC 1715 it works on rear diff only and does not care if in 2 or 4 WD...

Dale

 

[charlton289]

My 1705 I just put my toe on it and apply slight pressure and it should drop in if not just leave your foot on it and try going in reverse it only locks the rear axle and has nothing to do with the front drive. To release it just take your foot off it and it will release do to spring pressure I use mine when I mow my neighbors back field which doesn't matter if it spins I have AG tires on mine which are the best tires for me. I do alot of dirt work in soft conditions being self cleaning I don't get a lot of mud build up in my tread and the diff lock has saved me many many times from getting stuck.

 

[ruffdog]

You have to wait for the pins to drop into place. This is what the insides look like:

Kubota BX25 differential lock fail and repair This is the BAD news. - YouTube

 

[CobyRupert]

Does one want to be going in a tight circle when trying to press the diff. lock, or does one want both tires/axles to be turning at same rate?
I've always heard one doesn't want to press the diff. lock if one tire is spinning (or turning) faster than the other. Is there a valid mechanical reason?

I've found that sometimes it seems the tractor has to be rocked, or slowly moved, to find just the right spot where the lock drops in.

 

[ruffdog]

If you have your lock engaged, do you disengage it before you turn, even if you are still slipping?

If you watch this video, if one tire is going faster than the other, the holes will quickly line up for the pins. In a straight line, it just may take a bit longer for them to line up. It is not a good idea to engage the lock while you are wildly spinning because parts do wear and break.
Kubota BX25 differential lock fail and repair This is the BAD news. - YouTube

 

[CobyRupert]

If you have your lock engaged, do you disengage it before you turn, even if you are still slipping?

A Catch 22 - If you're in slick conditions where you need to engage diff. lock, there's a good chance rear tires will want to push you straight forward and you might not be able to turn (as much/as tight) as the front tires may just plow straight forward. (especially with 2WD's, 4WD helps turn)

So if you need to turn tight, disengage diff lock.....unless this gets you stuck. A bit of a "d*mmed if you do/if you don't" situation.

If one needs to turn in the muck, disengage diff lock and use "poor man's diff lock" technique; i.e. use the individual wheel brake to either stop the spinning tire so that the non-spinning tire with traction gets torque to move you out of the area, and/or use brakes to steer.

:2cents:

 

[ruffdog]

A Catch 22 - If you're in slick conditions where you need to engage diff. lock, there's a good chance rear tires will want to push you straight forward and you might not be able to turn (as much/as tight) as the front tires may just plow straight forward. (especially with 2WD's, 4WD helps turn)

So if you need to turn tight, disengage diff lock.....unless this gets you stuck. A bit of a "d*mmed if you do/if you don't" situation.

If one need to turn in the muck, disengage diff lock and use "poor man's diff lock" technique; i.e. use the individual wheel brake to either stop the spinning tire so that the non-spinning tire with traction gets torque to move you out of the area, or use brakes to steer.

I agree with the locked rear making you go straight.
I grew up using the individual brakes to steer but many newer hydro tractors have the brakes and hydro peddle on the same side. Do the manufactures know most humans have only one right leg?

 

[Rock Crawler]

I agree with the locked rear making you go straight.
I grew up using the individual brakes to steer but many newer hydro tractors have the brakes and hydro peddle on the same side. Do the manufactures know most humans have only one right leg?

Another one of the reasons I went with the B2650, they have the separate brakes on your left foot side and the HST on your right foot side. It is pure perfection. I found no other tractor in this small size that has this common sense approach brake feature.

 

[WranglerX]

Another one of the reasons I went with the B2650, they have the separate brakes on your left foot side and the HST on your right foot side. It is pure perfection. I found no other tractor in this small size that has this common sense approach brake feature.

Didn't look at the MF CG 1705 through 1720 series did you...

Dale

 

[Rock Crawler]

Didn't look at the MF CG 1705 through 1720 series did you...

Dale

Yes, I made 2 runs past 2 different dealers while doing the typical over analyzing. They were my close running second choice to Kubota before Kioti knocked them into third place. I did very much like the Massey Ferguson fit, finish and car like paint job.

 

[TVZ]

I push down with my right heel - about 25-30 pounds - you can feel it click and engage. When it engages the lever and your heel will drop down to the floor. Get your heel off the lever - it will click up and disengage. I don't remember ever having to back up to disengage. Of course, I've never driven in tight circles with the diffy lock engaged.

Thanks guys. Mine doesn't seem to lock in, so maybe I'll check w/ my dealer.

But just so I understand how it's supposed to work:

--Do I understand correctly that it only remains locked as long as you keep your foot on it?

--Any idea why the slot for the diff-lock pedal is shaped like an upside-down capital "L"? Sounds like the vertical leg of the "L" is what the pedal goes down when you step on it to engage it; but what is the horizontal slot for?

 

[Rock Crawler]

Thanks guys. Mine doesn't seem to lock in, so maybe I'll check w/ my dealer.

But just so I understand how it's supposed to work:

--Do I understand correctly that it only remains locked as long as you keep your foot on it?

--Any idea why the slot for the diff-lock pedal is shaped like an upside-down capital "L"? Sounds like the vertical leg of the "L" is what the pedal goes down when you step on it to engage it; but what is the horizontal slot for?

It only is locked while your jamming that thing through the floor.

 

[irvingj]

I believe the hole there is that shape so the floor pan will slide up & over the diff lock lever should you need to remove it.