Grillo G85D differential question

[bsaltzgiver]

Hi Folks,

I am the proud owner of a Grillo G85D 10HP Kohler model that I purchased new from Earth Tools last year (2011). My question involves locking the differential. When I pull the orange handle up to "lock" the wheels, sometimes it takes quite some time (and distance) for the axel to lock into 2 wheel drive. Sometimes, I could do several 360 degree turns before it locks and prevents easy turning. Other times, it locks right away. Is this normal for a Grillo machine, or is there cause for concern?

-Bruce

 

[oldmech]

Hi! I have a Grillo 107d. Sometime one Wheel spin half turn (Normal) sometimes 1-2 turns . I think the slider Inside tranny past over the slot because no time for to get in . May be release the clutch slowly can help. Often I forget to remove the differential lock. a lot more hard to turn. Good luck Oldmech

 

[Udder]

Hi there,

I've owned a Grillo 107d for a few years. I find the diff.-lock indispensable. I use it often. Similar to you, though, it has always taken about one tire-rotation for my diff-lock to engage, and the same to disengage. I never saw it as a problem, just something to get used to. I doubt it's a mechanical problem, more likely it's just a quirk of the design.

 

[bsaltzgiver]

Thanks for the replies! Follow up question:

Should the clutch be engaged when locking/unlocking the differential, or can you simply flip the lever while the tractor is moving.

I can't really find any information on the use of the differential in the Grillo Users Manual, or in the instructions Joel sends with Grillo machines!

Thanks folks.

 

[farmerboybill]

Hey,

I often have the same issue with my 850 Diesel. It's simply the nature of a locking differential. You do not need to disengage the clutch to lock the differential.

My full-time job is running a 360 acre farm with 40 acres cropped (the rest is in CRP, counting the days 'til it's out) My John Deere 4430 has a differential lock that I often lock when I know a soft spot is coming up. The differential will still remain unlocked until the traction wheel slips enough to engage the free wheel. I may go 150 feet into the soft spot with the differential unlocked until I've slipped enough to catch the other tire. On the other side, I'll disengage the differential, but it will remain locked until the load lessens enough to allow one wheel to free up.

 

[bilrus61]

I have a question for the posters in the thread, can you till with differential lock off and till straight or do you have to lock it for tilling between rows? Would be nice if the machine would go straight and till without having to flick the lever all the time. Thanks!

 

[farmerboybill]

Hey Bilrus,

I till most of the time with the differential unlocked. The only time you need it locked is when you're in very hard ground and you need the hold-back of the wheels to keep the machine from shooting forward.