jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 20,387
- Location
- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
- Tractor
- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Other than the fuel economy, is there any reason why one should not leave it in the 4 wheel drive all the time?
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I think 4WD is not needed for most mowing tasks. By the nature of the mechanics, one tire has to slip in a turn and being in 4WD does put the front axle under more wear than if it is just "floating" without being driven. Of course, the rear differential also has to allow one wheel to slip in a turn, but the components of the rear axle are much heavier than the front axle.
When I work moving dirt or using ground engagement implements whether on flat or hillsides, I leave my drivtrain in 4WD. When on the road or mowing were I don't need the traction, I take it out of 4WD. It may not mean less wear on the front axle components, but if I had a failure at some point in the future, I'd probably always wonder if it weren't my own fault. I just want to give my tractor every chance it has to last a long time. Since NH recommends taking the tractor out of 4WD when not needed, that's what I do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Now if you have the sensitrak option, I might be tempted to just leave it in 4WD all the time. Hmmm.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
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I think 4WD is not needed for most mowing tasks. By the nature of the mechanics, one tire has to slip in a turn and being in 4WD does put the front axle under more wear than if it is just "floating" without being driven. Of course, the rear differential also has to allow one wheel to slip in a turn, but the components of the rear axle are much heavier than the front axle.
When I work moving dirt or using ground engagement implements whether on flat or hillsides, I leave my drivtrain in 4WD. When on the road or mowing were I don't need the traction, I take it out of 4WD. It may not mean less wear on the front axle components, but if I had a failure at some point in the future, I'd probably always wonder if it weren't my own fault. I just want to give my tractor every chance it has to last a long time. Since NH recommends taking the tractor out of 4WD when not needed, that's what I do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Now if you have the sensitrak option, I might be tempted to just leave it in 4WD all the time. Hmmm.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif