Traction How often do you guys use the 4WD over 2WD hi and low range

[KiotiJason]

Hi guys,
I read a post earlier where someone mentioned that they only use high range on roads and not in 4wd. No I'm not suggesting that you would use 4wd on the road unless there was no traction. I am finding I prefer to keep my tractor in 4wd and typically slash the paddocks in either Hi 1st gear or second and most of the time I'm doing loader work I'm in 4wd. I've got a DS 3510, my place is undulating and can get a bit slippery in places. What's the general opinion, I know speed has a lot to do with surface conditions etc and steepness of terrain but typically what gears do you guys use and how often do you run your tractor in 4wd. And do you think using 4wd with the with the loader is an issue. The dealer didn't think using 4wd all the time is an issue.
Cheers Jason

 

[RalphVa]

For safety, I leave my tractor in 4wd except when going a fair distance on pavement. In 2WD, you only have 2 wheel brakes. Not a good idea on hills.

Ralph

 

[murphy1244]

As long as your on dirt or loose ground you can stay in 4 wheel. I only use for wheel in the woods or when I'm slipping

 

[GaryM]

I have a short steep slope that I mow in 4wd low range. Going down I want the extra resistance of the front wheels holding back because with weight shift the back wheels may slip some. Going up I don't want the back wheels to break traction.

 

[Looking4new]

I use 4wd when I am on snow, gravel or anywhere where I feel I will spin the wheels while doing either loader work or snow blowing. The rest of the time it is 2 wheel only.

 

[rjwerth]

4wd all the time except on pavement.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I use 4 WD all the time when using the FEL. When I want to do sharp turns or travelling on hard ground, I use only 2 WD. MY LS P7010C will automatically engage the 4 WD when I apply both brakes which is good for traction when going downhill or stopping at highway speed.
I almost always keep my B26 Kubota in 4 WD as it is used as a backhoe and loader tractor only and needs the traction.

 

[Gary Fowler]

As for what range to use, it doesn't matter as long as you get the speed and power you need. My B26 has 3 ranges but I mostly use M and H with the occasional use of L when I need the extra power but M range is best for all around work as L is just too slow and H has no power. H is just for travelling. It is the same on my gear tractor, rarely do I need L except when I want to creep up on an implement for hookup, M is just right for most work and H gears are all too high for anything other than roading. I put it in H1 then shift thru the gears like a big truck.

 

[KiotiJason]

I find that low is too low! Unless I'm dumping with the loader where I like to have the revs up. 4 gear low I use if it's really bumpy. The ds3510 is geared but dose have a foot peddle which I find I'm always using unless slashing. In Australia some of the Chinese tractor sellers don't recommend constant use of 4WD and warrenty is not covered during loader work and it should only be used while the wheels are slipping.
On the weekend I was slashing on a hill, it was a little wet and I thought I would see what the diference is in two wheel drive. Honestly it felt like a completely different tractor and I consigned myself that for me and my property I'll leave it in 4WD almost always. I do like to disengauge it every now and then just like my 4WD ute to make sure every thing is running ok.

 

[KiotiJason]

For safety, I leave my tractor in 4wd except when going a fair distance on pavement. In 2WD, you only have 2 wheel brakes. Not a good idea on hills.

Ralph

I didn't realize that! I would have thought the brake system would be similar to a car. Why would being in 4WD make a diffence to a wet brake system. I'm not mechanical but I assumed it would be two separate systems one gears and one hydrolic. Thanks I didn't know that! I love this site, the owners hand books are really bad. It wouldn't take Kioti much to set up an online tutorial and online access to service manuals. They coul even have it set up so that you could look up he manual click on the parts you want and it bring up an order form for your closest dealer! Off topic but would be cool!