JD 4500 4WD Diagnosis and repair

[lededaja]

Hello all, I'm a new member. Thanks for having me.

I have a 2001 JD 4500 4WD Compact Tractor w/front bucket that has the front wheel drive problems. I was in mud last week, had it in 4 wheel drive and I noticed that the front tires were not pulling. They looked like they wanted to turn but were kind of intermittent. Rear wheels were spinning but front was not.

I immediately took it out of 4 wheel drive and I haven't had a chance to check it out. Does anyone have any idea where I should start troubleshooting and what I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance for your help.

New Guy:

 

[Rich P]

Not sure about the set up on your tractor but on my Kubota the pinion was stripped
Front locked up? - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[lededaja]

Ouch!, I think the first thing I'm going to is drain the 4WD engagement differential to see if I see any metal chips or debris. The drain is conveniently located just below differential.

 

[3Lfarms]

I doubt your tractor has a limited slip or locking front diff, so I’m guessing it has a standard open front differential. Use the bucket to raise the front tires off the ground a couple inches. Try spinning one front tire with the tractor in 4WD and all gearboxes in gear (tractor not running). As you spin one tire, the other side should spin the opposite direction. If that works fine, then the spider gears are probably OK. Next, try to turn both front tires the same direction (need a second person). They should not be able to turn. If they both turn the same direction, then the front driveshaft should be turning and your problem is in the transmission where the 4WD is engaged. If the drive shaft does not turn steadily, then the differential is damaged.

Normal operation in 4WD is the front tires should not be able to turn the same direction, but when one is turned, the other wheel turns the opposite direction.
Of course, listen for any noise or rough operation while doing all of this.
Report back with your results.

 

[lededaja]

Thanks for the response 3Lfarms. Looks like I've work to do. Good info, it all makes sense so I'm going to give it a try this weekend.

Thanks for your help fella's. I will follow-up with my findings.
lededaja

 

[DwayneB]

I doubt your tractor has a limited slip or locking front diff, so I’m guessing it has a standard open front differential. Use the bucket to raise the front tires off the ground a couple inches. Try spinning one front tire with the tractor in 4WD and all gearboxes in gear (tractor not running). As you spin one tire, the other side should spin the opposite direction. If that works fine, then the spider gears are probably OK. Next, try to turn both front tires the same direction (need a second person). They should not be able to turn. If they both turn the same direction, then the front driveshaft should be turning and your problem is in the transmission where the 4WD is engaged. If the drive shaft does not turn steadily, then the differential is damaged.

Normal operation in 4WD is the front tires should not be able to turn the same direction, but when one is turned, the other wheel turns the opposite direction.
Of course, listen for any noise or rough operation while doing all of this.
Report back with your results.

Very good explanation