KAMA 354C Differential Lock

[MrFixit]

I'm down in South Florida clearing out a lot of trees and logs that have been destroyed by 2 years of nasty hurricanes. The soil down here is sometimes called "Sugar Sand". Traction is minimal and when I loose traction with the rear tires I instantly dig a hole. I thought about using the differential lock when pulling a few big logs but wasn't sure how to operate it.

I have a foot lever behind the right heel that I was told is the differential lock. To avoid breaking it with my foot I would like a bit of training.

Does this thing lock into place with heel of foot and then have to be unlocked by lifting up on lever, or is it Spring Loaded?

Should the tractor be moving very slightly to mesh gears or can I do this from a stop?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Tim

 

[bluechip]

HI Tim,

The pedal engages a series of pins through the differential housing into one of the bevel gears locking it to the ring gear. you need some slight motion so the pins can line up and engage, hold the pedal till you are unstuck, being careful to keep the wheels straight to avoid binding the rear end pars up. (both rear tires must go the same speed with differential locked). once you are out of the problem area, you can release the diff lock and the pedal should pop up, If the rear wheels were made to go at different speeds, it might bind and you will have to gently turn one way or another till the pedal pops up.

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

Also, Don't know what air tire pressure your running?? But, if you can get on a flat hard surface and let enough air out to have 2.5 - 3 bars of the tread touching the ground may help with traction?

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks Chip and Ronald!



I'm not at the tractor right now, based on Chip's reply it looks like I'll have to get the tractor moving slightly while engaging Diff Lock pedal. I think both the throttle and Diff lock pedals are on the same side. This could take some practice!

The front Grapple I have weighs over 600 LBS so I might need some extra pounds on the back of the tractor. Wonder if the wife would ...Shame on you Tim!

 

[RonMar]

As mentioned You need a slight difference in rear wheel speed to get the difflock to align. Getting stuck is a perfect example of this as the diff will allow one wheel to rotate and slip while the other is stationary. A typical problem for me is when trying to move over uneven ground in 4WD. Occasionally the tractor will wind up with the weight on opposite front and rear tires with the opposite two turning/slipping. While the wheels are rolling slowly(I am in low or creeper when doing this type maneuver anyway) I put pressure down on the difflock. When the teeth align, the lever goes all the way down and both rear wheels now rotate allowing me to move the tractor off the obstacle. Once I no longer need it, I lift the lever(284 uses a long hand lever) and hold it up behind my leg. When the tension is released off the engagement teeth, the difflock dissengages by spring force. This sometimes requires me to turn the steering wheel back and forth slightly while the tractor is rolling to get the pressure off the internal mechanism.

Since yours is new, it may be stiff to both engage and disengage. Mine had a buildup of paint around the pin that the lever pushes into the side of the tractor. This put some drag on the pin so it didn't move in and out freely. I think yours uses a similar spring loaded pin assembly only activated by a foot lever. It took cycling it a few times to get it to engage/disengage smoothly. It now comes out with a audible clunk sound as the pin smacks the lever. I can also usually feel it through the back of my leg that is holding the lever up.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tboth the throttle and Diff lock pedals are on the same side. This could take some practice! )</font>

That's what the hand throttle's for

//greg//

 

[kidney]

Hi Tim, You might want to try your differential lock before you really need it. I have a ts354c too. I got stuck and needed the differential lock but the pedal hit the floor before it engaged. Check it out and if it needs adjustment it will be alot easier now to address it. I forgot exactly how it adjusts but it is on the rod that the pedal pushes against. (I think) I had to adjust so the pedal was a little higher off the floor. I have 130 hours my Kama and I'm very happy with it. Enjoy your tractor.
Paul

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks Paul!

Glad to hear your happy with your 354C! I felt like I was gambling a bit when I bought mine as I never saw a Chinese tractor until mine arrived in my driveway. I had no idea if 35 HP was enough and if gearing would be OK.

I was leaning towards the 354X because it had a creeper gear. But 1st gear in low range is plenty low for the pulling logs and stumps. I'll loose traction long before the engine starts to strain.

All in All I'm very content with the 354C.

Tim