OOPS 4WD Down Road

JasonL · May 7, 2005

Hi everyone! I drive my 4110JD about a mile down the road from my current home to my future homesite. When I got home last night I realized I ha inadvertantly left it in 4WD. My tractor doesn't have a light or indicator to remind me! First off- how hard on the tractor/tires is this? Secondly- is anyone else in the same boat and what do/did you do to remind yourself? Thanks- Jason

thcri · May 7, 2005

I don't think you hurt it any, especially if you were on a gravel road. Yes you probably did do some unwanted wear on your tires but you will get that anytime your on hard pavement whether in 4 wheel or not. But yes try and remind yourself everytime your in hi gear to also check the 4 wd.

murph

woodchuckie · May 7, 2005

When I park mine after playing with it that's one of the steps I take . Along with putting everything in neutral , putting the brake on and idling the engine down. When I go to use it again it don't take long to remember I'm not in 4wd.

Cactus · May 7, 2005

You never hurt it any.....it will be ok........... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DmansPadge · May 7, 2005

Like thcri said, tractor tires are not made for the road and in 4WD or not it will wear them quicker on hard pavement. Nothing hurt though.

I usually keep mine in 2WD until I need 4WD and then when I don't need it anymore I swith back to 2WD.

kennyd · May 7, 2005

I have done the same thing Jason, In fact I did it today taking some dirt to my neighbors house.

I have thought about adding a light for the FWD...

Bird · May 7, 2005

While I certainly would try to avoid having the tractor in 4WD on a hard surface; i.e., pavement, both because of tire wear and strain on the driveline, I also doubt that you hurt anything. I once considered buying a rental unit from a Kubota dealer. It still had one month on the warranty and, if I remember right, had about 800 hours on the meter. Of course it was sitting on pavement on the dealer's lot and I noticed that the 4WD was engaged, and asked the salesman about that. Now I didn't get well enough acquainted with that salesman to know whether he really knew his business or not, but he said they put all the rental units in 4WD and leave them there.

PineRidge · May 7, 2005

Jason you might, I say again might do some damage if you were to drive in 4WD on hard street surfaces on a regular, daily basis. But forgetting occasionally isn't going to cause you any permanent damage.

We have all forgotten at one time or another to lock the 4WD out before hitting the road. Consider this post an admission of my own guilt.

thcri · May 7, 2005

That is one nice thing about Super-Steer and Sensi-Trak option on the New Holland units. I don't think I ever put mine in 4 wheel as it does is automatically.

murph

JasonL · May 7, 2005

Thanks Guys- I guess I won't worry too much about it then. I like the idea of a light or something, but am not sure where to start there. Mainly I have been moving dirt with FEL and blade so I need 4WD, but it is hard to remember to shut it off when I head down the road. NH's Sensi-Trac sounds nice but I'm pretty partial to green /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and also wonder if that is just something to go wrong? Jason

getut · May 7, 2005

I agree with all the guys above.. probably didn't do much if any damage.. especially if you were mostly going straight or making gradual turns while on pavement or concrete. Going in tight circles can really cause some driveline windup though and put it in a serious bind if its in 4wd. That is when some damage may eventually occur.

PineRidge · May 8, 2005

That is one nice thing about Super-Steer and Sensi-Trak option on the New Holland units. I don't think I ever put mine in 4 wheel as it does is automatically.


Murph maybe I wasn't clear, even though you have Sensitrak, when you "road" the tractor, there is a lever low and to the left rear of the platform to positively lock out the 4WD. It should still be used in cases such as that, check your operators manual.

thcri · May 8, 2005

(

Murph maybe I wasn't clear, even though you have Sensitrak, when you "road" the tractor, there is a lever low and to the left rear of the platform to positively lock out the 4WD. It should still be used in cases such as that, check your operators manual. )

Pine, I did look the owners manual. I can not totally lock it out. I only have a lock in and an automatic. I am sure as I go down the road it would not go it but according to my manual I don't see where I can lock it out so it won't ever go in.

murph

PineRidge · May 8, 2005

Murph it would appear that all things are not equal on the Sensitrak/SuperSteer from rig to rig. See what my OP says for "road" use.

thcri · May 8, 2005

Yep it looks like there is a difference. Here is my manual.

murph

xxxsandman · May 8, 2005

Most tractors with traditional 4 wheel drive lock in and out levers have the entire drive line (front and back) spinning all the time. Putting it in 4 wheel drive simply locks the front drive line into the drivin rear one.

The only undue wear you could cause by driving it in 4 wheel drive is if it is operated on hard surfaces for extended periods of time with low or improperly matched tires. It probably would wear your tires more then the mechanics of the 4 wheel drive itself.

RickB · May 8, 2005

I'll bet that PineRidge's tractor is quite a little newer than yours, Murf. The 4WD disconnect was added somewhat after class III production started.

thcri · May 8, 2005

( I'll bet that PineRidge's tractor is quite a little newer than yours, Murf. The 4WD disconnect was added somewhat after class III production started.
)

Mike,

What year is your's, mine is a 2002?

murph

Steve2210 · May 8, 2005

On my 2210 I've noticed that the road noise is a bit different when driving on pavement in 4WD. After a while you get tuned to it and then put it into 2WD.