New owner of a Ford 1200 tractor have a few questions about the mwfd

[aamstrom]

Hi all,

Just bought a nice used little 1980 Ford 1200 tractor. I have two questions on the mwfd.One can you engage with the tractor moving as long as you are not spinning? Is it alright to let the mwfd engaged as long as you are not on paved or concrete surfaces? I ask the second question because I mow a hilly area that I feel more comfortable if I could just let it engaged. It is only a 1/4 acre area that I have the steep hill on. Actually I guess I have a third question. Is it alright to chain the rear wheels or is it a waste of time with the mwfd? The last question I ask due to snow plowing season coming up fast.

Alan

 

[jinman]

Alan, you should always stop movement when shifting into and out of MFWD. The gear has no synchronizer and it may grind if you try to shift in while moving more than a creep speed. Do you also have a FEL on your tractor? If so, pop the front wheels off the ground when you shift out of MFWD and it make shifting a snap. If you don't lift the wheels, you may have trouble shifting out. That's because your driveline slightly winds up like a spring and there is pressure against the shift mechanism. By lifting the front wheels, you relieve that pressure. You can also drive slowly in reverse and move the wheels left-right while shifting out, but I think lifting with the FEL is the easiest.

I leave my tractor in MFWD most of the time. My place has lots of uneven terrain and the MFWD ensures great traction. When I go out on a gravel road or paved road, I shift to 2wd. The traction you have on snow largely depends on the type of tires and whether the snow is soft, packed, or glaze ice. I think you'll certainly get a benefit from putting chains on your rear tires, especially if you have R4s or turf tires. If you have ag tires, you may be able to make it without chains.

 

[aamstrom]

Jim, that is good to know you can just leave it in mwfd. The owners manual really does not say one way or the other. Sort of figured it was a no to do the change with the tractor moving. I do not have a FEL but I do have a front mounted power angle plow I will be installing for winter. Unfortunately I can not use the plow with my belly mower. I already encountered having trouble getting it back out, but I did back up a little and that did the trick. I have the ag tires but I think I will still install chains. We gets lots of snow usually wet and heavy around here. Many thanks for the information.