No 4-wheel brakes in 2WD on 2520

[Larry 111]

Just wanted to post a quick note on what happened yesterday while pulling my small utility trailer loaded with branches down to the burnpile on my 2520.
On my property I have a pretty steep hill, so before going down I checked to make sure I was in 4-Wheel drive by looking at the dash and seeing the yellow indicator light on, which it was. Starting down the hill, I was picking up more speed than I felt comfortable with, so I started pressing down hard on the brakes when I noticed only the back tires(R4's) were braking.They were actually locked and sliding down the hard dry dusty trail like two surfboards on the water. I forgot about my FEB-Front End Brake (AKA FEL) which would have slowed the descent, but sliding uncontrollaby sideways downhill with a loaded trailer behind pushing tends to cloud the thinking and increase the pucker factor, thought I was going to "buy the farm" so to speak!
Anyway, Luckily, I reached the bottom of the trail still with the rubber side down and the green side up. I checked my 4WD floor lever and it was not engaged all the way, probably just enough to make the light register on the dash. I have taken this hill before with no problems when the 2520 was locked in 4WD, which goes to show that you only have 4-wheel braking when your in 4WD. I' pretty sure the braking is done by clamping around the front drive shaft, but if your not mechanically locked in 4WD, it's clamping a free wheeling shaft!
I've learned alot from this site, so I hope that another one of my lifes little lessons will help someone else eliminate the need to experience this on their own.

 

[prosperity]

Glad to hear you landed OK.

Just to note - the brakes are on the rear axle, not the front.

 

[RollTideRam]

Next time, Use 4wd, low range and let the engine/hydro do the braking. Never lock your tires, as you got to slide down the hill instead of driving down the hill. JC

 

[Willl]

I' pretty sure the braking is done by clamping around the front drive shaft

There are no/none/zero/nuda front brakes on the 2520.

Actually, there are no front brakes on most tractors.

Edit;
Further note, the 2-wheel to 4-wheel connection is within the transmission, so the front drive line is always 'connected' to the front wheels.

 

[Deadman]

My ATV does the same thing, so I just hit the gas and keep the wheels from sliding. Out of control sliding is the worst option.

 

[BigD9]

There may not be mechanical brakes on the front axle, but as RollTide said keep it in low range, and 4 wheel drive and all should be OK. High range has much less braking as low has, and 4 wheel drive certainly helps a lot in slowing down while going down a steep hill.

Larry, I just loved your description of the "FEB-Front End Brake (AKA FEL) !! Gotta remember that!

 

[skidoo]

Same thing happened to me last April on this slope (just before the snow). If there were front brakes, I could have controlled the decent better while not knowing it wasn't in 4x4 until reaching bottom. This is one reason I really like the AWD function of the X749 for the steep hills. With that mower, it will never be in 2WD. On the 2530, 4WD low range is fine. He expected that, but it wasn't. I expected mine in 4 low range also, but forgot just before cresting the hill. You don't easily analyze the problem and fix it in the seconds you realize you have a problem. I was more concerned about getting it down straight and not as fast as possible. If one can forget, it will likely at some time be in 2wd when you want or need it in 4wd.

 

[PCABE5]

Larry,

In your post were you refering to the front wheels braking by locking up with the rears due to mechanical 4 wheel drive and/or the rear brakes slowing the front drive shaft?

I don't know if I would lower my FEL to slow down as a front brake because what if it grabbed?

 

[Deadman]

then you would STOP, but maybe wreck too!