Traction My Tractor Slips Going Down Hill While Mowing

RickB · Sep 28, 2020

If putting it in 4wd stops the freewheeling it is not a transmission problem and all but certain to be sliding. The tranny doesn’t care if you are in 2wd or 4wd.
What your other tractors do is immaterial. Weight/footprint, etc are apples to oranges. What is your rear tire inflation? A light tractor with overinflated turfs will skate like Nancy Kerrigan.

Diggin It · Sep 28, 2020

The hill matters too. I cannot go down any of my hills in 2WD. I MUST be in 4WD and Low to descend safely. A lesser grade hill would be a different matter. Why your 1880 can do it, I cannot discuss.

ruffdog · Sep 28, 2020

Try it in 2WD drive but with the diff lock engaged. With a open differential, it takes very little slippage of ONE wheel to feel like it is taking off.

Industrial Toys · Sep 28, 2020

The OP suggests it's an internal issue and seems to understand the issue of loosing adhesion and sliding down a hill, yet you guys keep talking about that.

k0ua · Sep 28, 2020

Industrial Toys said:
The OP suggests it's an internal issue and seems to understand the issue of loosing adhesion and sliding down a hill, yet you guys keep talking about that.

That is because they understand what is happening.

Industrial Toys · Sep 28, 2020

I got the impression the OP wasn't born yesterday. lol Not his first Rodeo, so to speak.

RickB · Sep 28, 2020

If he had all the answers he would not need to ask the question. Clearly he is less than happy with the responses. That happens.

If someone can explain how a hydrostatic transmission can freewheel in 2wd but not in 4wd on the same slope and conditions I am willing to learn.

s219 · Sep 28, 2020

RickB said:
If putting it in 4wd stops the freewheeling it is not a transmission problem and all but certain to be sliding. The tranny doesn’t care if you are in 2wd or 4wd.
What your other tractors do is immaterial. Weight/footprint, etc are apples to oranges. What is your rear tire inflation? A light tractor with overinflated turfs will skate like Nancy Kerrigan.

+1. And this is why I disagree if the OP thinks it's an internal issue. Internal issues would exist in 2WD or 4WD and affect both equally. If it goes away in 4WD then it's a traction issue and not an internal issue. These "4WD" tractors are really like having an extra FWD assist driven off the RWD. If the front driveline is not slipping internally then that means the rear is not slipping internally.

s219 · Sep 28, 2020

Industrial Toys said:
The OP suggests it's an internal issue and seems to understand the issue of loosing adhesion and sliding down a hill, yet you guys keep talking about that.

He is missing the important fact that the FWD is driven off the RWD internally. If the rear was slipping internally then the front would have no chance.