L35 4wd ???

[mikegph]

I just took delivery of my L35 last week. I was wondering how often other operators kept the 4 wheel drive engaged?? My last tractor, an old Bolens Iseki had some front axel trouble, and now I keep it in 2wd unless i really need the extra traction. Steve Carver told me to leave in in 4wd almost all the time, but I am worried about unnecessary wear and tear on the front drive train. Anybody have an opinion ???? Thanks, Mike

 

[W5FL]

Take a good look at all advertisements by manufacturers that show a loader. You will NEVER see one with 2WD. There is a very good reason for this. I keep my 4WD Kubota in 2WD when on pavement, concrete or any very hard non slippery surface or when mowing flat ground. The rest of the time it runs in 4WD. With a loader, you need all the traction you can get. I doubt that most L35's have ballast in the tires but it is because of the problem of hauling it around rather than helping get more traction for work.

 

[W5FL]

I bet when Mark finds this message, he will tell you to use synthetic oil in the front end to minimize wear rather than not using it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MikeF]

I would recomend using synthetic oils for the whole machine, (after proper break-in of course) I have used Amsoil for years and found it to be unmatched!

 

[Bird]

mikegph, I, too, keep my tractor in 2WD unless I need the 4WD (which I figure is anytime I'm using the front end loader), but before I bought my first Kubota, I considered a rental unit the dealer was ready to sell and noticed it was parked on the lot in 4WD, and he told me they leave all the rental units in 4WD all the time (same dealer who also told me all their rental units have foam filled tires). I guess the bottom line is that I don't worry about it being in 4WD anytime except on pavement.

Bird

 

[W5FL]

Sometimes I acidentally drive into the barn (cement floor) in 4WD. Just push the bucket down to take the load off the tires, and it will come right out of 4WD. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

When you are driving along with the bucket down and the front tires up isn't that called Slide Drive?/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[W5FL]

del, I thought you had an L35. You should be answering this question instead of all of us who don't. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I am usually going backwards if I do the slide drive, but the tractor doesn't seem to care whether it is going on the bucket or wheels (or if the brakes are on). /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yeah, but I've only had this L35 for a shortwhile I shouldn't be answering ANYTHING!

I have heard people wiser than me speak of this and some say don't use the 4WD unless needed, others say using the 4WD spreads the load around and takes strain off the rear axle. I don't know which to believe. Seems like tire wear would be more of a factor even on unpaved areas. Would be nice (dreaming again) if these had a central differential you could lock out with a lever then you wouldn't have to worry about anything. The rear ends a lot stronger than the front (I think) so my hunch is to leave it in 2WD.

 

[MChalkley]

Great idea, Wen! Wish I'd thought of it... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I leave mine in 2wd unless I need 4wd. I never use 4wd on pavement or other hard packed surfaces, unless I really need the traction and am only going straight forward.

Mark