Front locker available for Kubotas

[Smokeydog]

Smokeydog,

If my memory serves, the M59 has 3 modes for driving wheels. Unlocked, where I believe a single rear wheel is driven. Locking of front and back, where both front wheels are driven with a standard differential between front wheels and the existing rear wheel is engaged. Locked and manual differential lock is engaged by stepping on then both rear wheels are locked together and both front wheels are also driven but not locked together.

Consulted the Workshop Manual for clarification but was not able to find any details about driven wheels and the modes.

When the rear wheels are locked then steering is ineffective and M59 just pushes the front in straight lines UNLESS you are carrying a great deal of weight up front and tires bite instead of push.

Even though I have read that manual from cover to cover several times, each time I open it I find some new info that I missed. I prefer missed over forgot.

My M59 sadly doesn’t have a front locker.

My old M5030DT did have Detroit type locking front axle. Worked beautifully on hillside and slop. All four would spin or in a turn the outside front wheel could over sped giving good control. Stayed in 4x4 all the time on the farm. Surprisingly kind on turf even with R1 tires. Could improve with wider and heavier front tires.

 

[mopardude318]

I have a Detroit Locker in the rear and an Eaton E-locker in the front of my ‘74 power dodge wagon. That totally transformed the way the truck wheels Off road.
For my tractor, I know this will be an excellent upgrade. Getting stuck and then hitting the front wheel assist button only to have one front wheel spin that has the least resistance on it is totally unacceptable.

 

[mopardude318]

let us know how it does. the website say out of stock ?

I couldn’t find one anywhere in stock either. Called the manufacturer and they didn’t have an ETA on one either. Neil Messick actually had one sitting on his desk the company gave him to make a video on. Neil sold it to me for 1/2 price. $300 shipped.

 

[mopardude318]

I’ll start on the install this weekend.

 

[sawtooth]

So don’t the M7060’s come with a front locker?

 

[mopardude318]

So don’t the M7060’s come with a front locker?

If they came with anything it would be a limited slip, and a weak one at that. Doesn’t take much to overcome/overpower it.

 

[mopardude318]

Well I finally got it installed. Took me 3 days. Dropped the axle, tore it apart, cleaned everything, assembled and put back together. The bull gear/bevel gear assembly are very heavy. Good grief. Trying to muscle that back on, and aligning the axle shaft took a couple guys. Not too bad of a job. Really take care in noting the placement of the shims/spacers for the differential.

 

[mopardude318]

And putting the diff in the freezer overnight and using heat gun to warm the housing really helps. It dropped right back in.

My brother was a big help.

 

[RjCorazza]

Wow, that was certainly quite the project. I always wondered why compact and utility sized tractors did not have front lockers or limited slip. I also find it aggravating that almost (?) all rear locking differentials are so difficult to activate, and only for momentary use. By the time I get my heel on the lever that requires some ungodly amount of pressure to activate the locker, it's too late.

Unrelated Rant off. Great job!

 

[MTGreen]

I hope it lasts for you. I feel like bevel mfwd axles are already a weak point on compact tractors from fel related stresses and I personally wouldn't consider this except on a heavier planetary gear unit.
Thanks for sharing the pics/install.
Let us know how it works/turns out