Do I have to full stop to go into 4WD on L4300, MX5100 and others?

[sixdogs]

Reading my owner's manual again, I noticed it says that you are supposed to come to a complete stop before engaging the 4WD. I guess I do that most of the time but there have been occasions when i started to slip at a slow speed and just pulled the 4Wd lever to engage. I thought it was OK to do this.

I know to follow the owner's manual and I do but wonder what others do with any of the smaller Kubotas since I'll bet they all say the same thing in their owner's manuals . Does anyone else occasionally engage 4WD while moving and what can go wrong in doing this?

 

[LD1]

I have a 3400, and engage it while moving, but I dont if the wheels are slipping or something. But just cruzing along, like going from the road or drive onto the yard, I dont stop to engage.

I suppose the harm would be to wear out the shifting mechanism or gear a bit sooner. (I dont know how its designed). But since there is a tad bit difference in speed of the front and rear axle by design, thats probabally why they want you to completely stop??

 

[KennyV]

It will actually engage easier if you are moving....

 

[aczlan]

I engage while moving, but I "ease" it in (ie push down gently and feel when it slides easily into place). I dont force it in.

Aaron Z

 

[Baby Grand]

I often find it difficult/impossible to engage/disengage when dead stopped. A little travel speed & no load seems to be best - if you're moving & it won't engage, then try while you back off the throttle. Also, sometimes turning the steering wheel while trying to engage at a full stop works.

 

[TripleR]

I'm too uncoordinated to change mine on the L5740, but do on the BX and M8540.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I shift mine stopped or at very slow speed. To disengage I sometimes backup a few feet to relieve the winde up and make it easy.
The mechanic at my dealers said they were square gears and to be very careful when engaging/disengaging 4wd. He said just find a way to do it w/o grinding the gears.

 

[shortthrow50]

Just as any 4 wheel drive, they don't want you spinning wheels while slipping or stuck. Chances are it will just grind and not engage and potential damage a gear. Shifting on the fly is ok while not slipping an steering straight

 

[SPYDERLK]

I shift mine stopped or at very slow speed. To disengage I sometimes backup a few feet to relieve the winde up and make it easy.
The mechanic at my dealers said they were square gears and to be very careful when engaging/disengaging 4wd. He said just find a way to do it w/o grinding the gears.

Disengaging works well on all our tractors going straight - hit the gas momentarily then back off while quickly operating the lever.
larry

 

[Gordon Gould]

Disengaging works well on all our tractors going straight - hit the gas momentarily then back off while quickly operating the lever.
larry

Well I tried this a couple times today coming out of the woods and it worked good. Thanks Larry