Front axle

dpl96 · Feb 5, 2005

I've been reading about people damaging their front axles when doing loader work in 4WD LL1 and was wondering what you folks think is the best generic transmission setup for loader work.

greg_g · Feb 5, 2005

Nothing wrong with LL1, but I'd revert to 2WD and use the diff lock. If the front drive is merely rolling - and not pulling - I think a lot of FEL-induced damage can be avoided.

//greg//

Wayne_Freeman · Feb 5, 2005

I would be the guy who recently damaged my front axle moving rip rap with LL1 and 4wd. I was amazed at the work I was doing until the old pop got my attention. Bottom line is our Jinmas are not dozers so when you abuse then you pay. I have run this machine long enough to have known better and got a bit careless. I am still working on diagnosing how extensive the damage is and will continue documenting on the CTOA. We just need to be aware that there are reasonable limits that our machines can tolerate. I tend to abuse my Jinma and pay the piper!

bluechip · Feb 5, 2005

There is a flip side, if you do not use low range, low ground speeds you will tend to ride the clutch to slow the tractor when loading the bucket and the result will be premature, sometimes immediate clutch failure. If you have to use the clutch to slow down to keep the engine from bogging down, then raise the bucket or choose a lower gear. The clutch pedal is not a variable speed mechanism, the slipping creates intense heat and wear on the disks and pressure plates.

Bugsy · Feb 6, 2005

It is in our human nature to see how far we can "push" a piece of equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We all know that if we go too far, something is going to happen.

Why should you be any different than anybody else /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It adds to the excitement of operating equipment BUT it is a heartbreaker when the "baby" gets "sick".

dpl96 · Feb 6, 2005

I'm curious ....... If a person was doing "heavy" loader work in LL1 4WD with turf tires would the tires themselves and their lesser traction "bite" help in the tourqe and strain on the front axle??

Harrygoodwrench · Feb 6, 2005

All darn good points brought up.
I think we all have a little of "take a little more" than we should mentality, as per Wayne. I'm guilty of that I admit. Using LL1 or lower gear is good I think as you won't use clutch to control speed like Chip stated. Burned out clutches are a no-no. Try and use 2WD whenever possible like Greg said.
DPL96 you are correct about the Turf vs Ags. Turfs do allow more slip or break-traction than Ags. I have a set of Ags that came with my 224. I did quite a bit on snow removal last year and FEL work with the Ags. Traction was darn good using the Ags. Downfall=divots/ruts/torn up grass.
Since then I purchased a set of Turfs. Turfs are nice for not chewing up grass and leaving ruts. Problem I found is major traction is forfeited going to the Turfs and I have brand new chains on the rear turfs. All I can say is I got better traction with the Ags in 4WD that the Turfs w/rear chains in 4WD. I think its a compromise between the two. I try and air on the side of caution and try not to abuse my equipment as I'm the one thats got to fix it. When using FEL for heavy loader work I use a low as possible gear, use 2WD whenever possible and try as best to use good judgement. I'd rather have to load the bucket in two smaller loads than one overloaded bucket.
Seat time is fun so why not stretch it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SPIKER · Feb 6, 2005

So far I've been lucky or I haven't broched that ABUSE thing and am still in the HEAVY USE area? I drive into my creek fill the bucket in LL using 2~3 and shift to HLR to get out of the creek with a FULL to overflowing bucket of wet rock/gravel/sand/clay mix. sometimes what falls off is all AI need to get rid of other times the bucket droop looses a bit of it. I then dump it into the dump trailer for later hauling to the pole barn base. I've spun all 4 tires with un-reinforced jinma ZL20 loader burried into the sand/gravel bed. sudden stops have happened usually when I catch a upcropping of edrock or burried large stone/rock. the LL1/2~3 will with engine running 1800 or so RPM has stalled or spun out loosing traction ... I ALWAYS pay close attension and have one hand on FEL control valve keeping it from getting too much bite but rather skimming the top off. this USUALLY keeps me form getting too much bite and so far nothing has broken, I don't usually use DIF LOC but have had to to GET OUT a few times when the bank got too slipperly or rutted up.

MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif