Traction Locking front differential?

[SDT]

None of the Grand Ls have any locker or limited slip up front. Couldnt say for any of the bigger machines. I believe its reasonably common on the bigger 100+ HP type machines & 4wd articulated monsters of all brands. 20 years ago lots of the big John Deeres had a radar speedometer that calculated wheel slip against a standard speedometer. It gets much more important on the big machines to not wear out tires & maximize fuel economy doing field work all day.

Neither said nor implied that they did but many (most?) M series tractors have limited slip front differentials. My M9960 does. M7060 and above do. M5660SU does not. Don't know about M6060. Don't know if M7 series has limited slip or hydraulically locking but would expect locking.

I've read here or in the orange forum that some larger M series have hydraulically locking front differentials but I've not seen any that do.

SDT

 

[rScotty]

Kubota manual calls these a NOSPIN front axle. Are there any newish Kubota tractors in the 40-70hp range with NOSPIN front axle? It gives remarkable improvement in traction. Enhanced loader operation.

I'm all in favor of more toys and gadgets - and I'm the type of guy who would probably spring for NOSPIN If it had been an option on the M59.
But on the other hand, I've got to say that I haven't had any traction problems with our M59 in the ten+ years of using it. That includes quite a bit of snow, stream work, and flood repair. So it seems to get along fine without it. For the work I do, the rears tend to spin before the fronts do.
rScotty

 

[Smokeydog]

Got the M59 to replace an aging Ford 4500 backhoe and M5030. Lot to like. HST, strong loader, good visibility and easy to operate. Compared to the M5030, the M59 is smaller and lighter, less pulling/pushing traction, weak 3pt hitch and sucks more fuel...same as me in some ways as I get older.

 

[ovrszd]

This is a much debated subject. A LOT of misconception. A multitude of locking or lited slip differentials have been designed. A multitude of results. There are some mechanical laws that can't be ignored. Just like in nature.

If a front differential, with no input from the operator, engages an pulls equally with both front tires, and additionally steers thru sharp turns easily, it's not locked. It's simply a variation of limited slip.

Terminology varies greatly in this subject. Only matched by the various terminology of 4wd.

My M9540 has a limit slip front diff. Noticeably improves traction. Can't carry water to a true locker.

 

[jonsstihl]

my father in laws old m6800 had a locking front diff just like the rear diff. You had a pedal you engaged just beside the one for the rear diff. his newer 7040 apparently has a limited slip front diff. definitely not as good as the locking diff when you are really stuck but it is on all the time.

 

[mopardude318]

This company makes a Torq Locker for the front. Im seriously considering it for my M7060

Installation of the Torq Locker in the Kubota Tractor M7, M42 series, M6, M7, M462, M472, M51 Narrow

 

[CalG]

My Hurlimann 435 Prince has an electro/ hydraulic actuated front locking differential.

The tractor is a billy goat when both ends are locked up.
All at the press of an illuminated button on the dash! ;-)

 

[ptsg]

My Hurlimann 435 Prince has an electro/ hydraulic actuated front locking differential.

The tractor is a billy goat when both ends are locked up.
All at the press of an illuminated button on the dash! ;-)

And they still do have it nowadays as standard. Hurlimann, Same, Landini, Valpadana and so on.

I was checking Kubota, and we have the Kubota M5001UN (Utility Narrow) that does come standard with a LSD on the front axle. Other specialty models might also have but it's not listed on the brochure.

 

[Smokeydog]

Enjoyed the videos and how they demonstrated both in traction and especially braking. That is how my old M5030DT performed. With my hillside farm it increased access to more property. Instead of ice and snow, I have soft forest ground and grease-like mud. I have slid other tractors down the hillside with brakes locked. My tractors and truck stay in 4wd +90% of the time on the farm. Wish my M59 had that NOSPIN front axle.