L4240 4wd binding on pavement

[landpride64]

2012 4240 hstc tractor. Currently R3 Titan turfs with 29x12.5 front and 44x18's rear. When I was in 4wd on pavement, it seemed to bind or buck the other day. I was going in M gear, turtle on the column slow and straight. I have never felt this before. Tractor is fairly new to me. Previous was a 3240 with same tires but I don't remember feeling this. My question is do other people with these tires and similar tractors experience the same binding or bucking? Thx

 

[4570Man]

This is pretty common especially when turning. This is extremely bad for the front drive train, and doesn't do the tires or anything else involved any favors. Put that thing in 2wd when on dry pavement.

 

[ovrszd]

And why were you operating it in 4wd on dry pavement??

The machine is designed with a "pull" on the front tires. They are running at a slightly faster speed than the rears. This causes binding when driving straight on solid footing. Purpose is so it will turn a sharper corner in 4wd. If it didn't have "pull" built into the system it would push the front real bad when trying to turn in 4wd.

Use the engagement mechanism. Engage. Disengage. As conditions change.

 

[C4Ranch]

Never never never do this.... I cringe just thinking about it.

While you're at it, keep it locked in 4wd and turn your wheels all the way while backing up a steep hill or obstical and watch your front axle/nuckle break... (sarcasm)

 

[landpride64]

Thanks guys. I was only crossing the driveway but felt the bind. Anyways, appreciate the info. Happy new year.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks guys. I was only crossing the driveway but felt the bind. Anyways, appreciate the info. Happy new year.

No worries. Probably should have stated the conditions when you felt the bind in the original post. Then we wouldn't be thinking you are driving around in 4wd. You'll figure it out...

If I forget to disengage 4wd, my M9540 binds very little and I'll only hear a slight whine, my Ford 3910 doesn't bind at all, only notice it's engaged when I try to turn and it pushes the front end.

 

[grader guy]

ovrszd has a good point of the "pull" design of the front end. Its nice when someone responds with something positive unlike C4Ranch.

 

[4570Man]

I sometimes use 4wd on smooth concrete, but only when necessary. I think the smooth concrete especially when wet provide provides less traction than dirt. The bonus is whatever I'm trying to push also has drastically less friction then if it was on dirt. You are probably wondering why in the heck I need traction on concrete. I do my firewood on the concrete slab from a burned wear house which is extremely nice. My logs don't get covered in mud. I have greatly increased log storage time. I can go work whenever I want without worrying about mud. I can also work in the rain.

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks guys. I was only crossing the driveway but felt the bind. Anyways, appreciate the info. Happy new year.

As others say, dry pavement doesn't go well with 4wd in cars, ATV's, tractors or what have you. That said, going a few feet across the pavement in a dead straight line shouldn't cause much, if any, binding but you'll probably notice the drivetrain winding up if there's even a slight turn in the steering.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

To the OP, I do think that's strange. Only had 2 Kubota FWA/4wd tractor but neither ever gave me that bind/buck like you get in a 4wd automobile. Maybe you R3 are particularly sticky but I'd definitely be on the lookout for other signs of concern.

 

[wcampbell47]

I have a friend that sometimes drives my second tractor for me. For the life of me I can't get him to make wide sweeping turns when in 4wd. Sometimes this hard packed dry clay will cause the front to bind if you constantly are turning sharp in 4wd. At any rate one day he couldn't shift into 2wd. I had to back the tractor in a straight line several feet to free the front end enough to shift into 2wd. So if you were turning sharply in 4wd a lot on some dry packed dirt "might" have been the cause for feeling the front end bind. Back up in a straight line several feet to unbind, then shift into 2wd or make wide sweeping turns. At least you were aware of the binding ... my friend had no clue.

 

[LD1]

Actually you are less likely to bind the 4wd if turning on pavement than going straight.

The way its geared, and tires sized, the fronts are actually spinning a little faster.

When turning, The front axle makes a wider arc than the rears, (covers more ground). Which is just how its geared.

A 4wd automobile/truck is just the opposite. Front and rears should spin the exact same speed. So a truck in 4wd going straight dont have much binding, but turning you notice the bucking.

I dont always dis-engage 4wd when I should. But good general rule, if you notice the binding, put it in 2wd

 

[Grandad4]

Actually you are less likely to bind the 4wd if turning on pavement than going straight.

The way its geared, and tires sized, the fronts are actually spinning a little faster.

When turning, The front axle makes a wider arc than the rears, (covers more ground). Which is just how its geared.

Front/rear gearing seems to vary from tractor to tractor. On my larger tractor, the fronts actually lag slightly vs the rear... not good, but that's how she came from the factory. The little one is more as you describe... fronts lead the rears. Tractor manufacturers and tire manufacturers evidently don't coordinate this stuff all that well, I guess. :confused3:

 

[landpride64]

Guys. Great points and I appreciate them. Last question is do most people put the tractor into 4wd on the fly? I always did it on the go in my 3240 but the 4240 seems a little more stiff. I'd prefer not to have to stop each time. Let me know. Thanks!

 

[ovrszd]

Guys. Great points and I appreciate them. Last question is do most people put the tractor into 4wd on the fly? I always did it on the go in my 3240 but the 4240 seems a little more stiff. I'd prefer not to have to stop each time. Let me know. Thanks!

No worries engaging 4wd if off the throttle. Don't want to engage 4wd while spinning the rear tires in 2wd. The two mechanisms are running at a different speed in this scenario. Engaging 4wd will be rather violent. For me, if I'm stuck and require 4wd, I stop forward movement and then engage. To avoid this critical situation I normally engage 4wd when I see an approaching situation where I will need it. If I have to stop and then engage 4wd it's a situation that totally catches me offguard.

 

[4570Man]

I engage it while moving as long as all 4 wheels are turning. If the rear wheels have started to slip I stop before engaging. Same goes for the diff lock.

 

[PILOON]

By design front wheels are about 5% or so 'faster' than rears as they are smaller and will wear faster so as they wear they get closer to being equal.
You probably would wear out 3 sets of fronts B4 ever wearing out rears.
A tractors purpose in life is generally to pull or work from the rear with the front serving to steer and it is easier to steer a small wheel especially back when power steering was not standard.
Those that ore designed for HD front work you'll notice have much bigger frt wheels, in fact a few sport all 4 the same size.

 

[Fallon]

I engage it while moving as long as all 4 wheels are turning. If the rear wheels have started to slip I stop before engaging. Same goes for the diff lock.

I do the same to engage or disengage 4wd or the diff lock. Although disengaging 4wd or the diff lock when wheels are slipping isn't typically a scenario people worry about.

Problems only show up when one gear is moving at a noticeably different speed. Actually engaging on the fly can be easier to on the operator & the gears as things often just take a nudge to line up & they get that from things already rotating at about the same speed.

 

[kevin37b]

Here is another one .

 

[Jay4200]

2012 4240 hstc tractor. Currently R3 Titan turfs with 29x12.5 front and 44x18's rear. When I was in 4wd on pavement, it seemed to bind or buck the other day. I was going in M gear, turtle on the column slow and straight. I have never felt this before. Tractor is fairly new to me. Previous was a 3240 with same tires but I don't remember feeling this. My question is do other people with these tires and similar tractors experience the same binding or bucking? Thx

Normal. Don't do that.