Is it ok to use your traction lock pedal in a turn. Whats the right way whats the wrong way. Some people say do not use unless its in an emergency and only when the tractor is going straight forward /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Traction Traction Lock
- Thread starter ericbx
- Start date
- Views: 3379
SeymourBota
Platinum Member
using the rear diff lock in a turn is worse than using 4wd- you should not do it or if you must, there had better be plenty of slippage.
The diff lock will force the rear wheels to turn at the same rate while the corner you are navigating will cause one to rotate more than the other. This is a good recipe for breakage.
The diff lock will force the rear wheels to turn at the same rate while the corner you are navigating will cause one to rotate more than the other. This is a good recipe for breakage.
Highbeam
Super Member
That's how most of the old ATVs worked. The outside wheel would slip on the corner. I can't imagine why it would hurt anything since the rear end should be able to handle all the load made by the engine, right?
When I did use it I was on grass and I did notice the inside tire was tearing the lawn up. I have not and wont use it on a hard surface. I think being on the lawn won't tear the tractor up. Does this sound right to you /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
kubota_man
Member
I never use the traction lock unless I'm spinning and can't get enough traction. That is the only reason to use it as far as I know. Why would you bother with it unless you're spinning your wheels?
I had to use it when digging my garden out. When one wheel would spin I stopped and would engage it then carry on. But somtimes I forgot to let off the lever to disengage it and would make a turn on my lawn. The inside wheel would rip the lawn up. A newbe mistake. I dont think this hurt the tractor because I was on the lawn /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'm sure if I made this mistake on cement this would be a different story /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
escavader
Veteran Member
Im gonna figure out a way to lock mine to the floor when im pushing back those giant snow banks.My foot gets tired of holding it down,then i find myself having it half engAged,which is a no no /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifOther than plowing on icy surface,i only use it when im stuck
ALAN
ALAN
Lockport
Platinum Member
My diff lock seems inconsistant. That is, if I go up my ditch at an angle by the driveway, forcing one rear wheel to spin and I engage the diff lock, it seems to not engage. Sometimes, I back up and go forward and it still doesn't engage. Then again, if I am driving along and engage it on, say, a lengthy straight away , it will engage. I know it works, I have driven TO the ditch when it was engaged and conquered the same spot! What gives? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
There is a major difference between the ATV with a solid axle and a tractor with the diff lock engaged.
If you were to compare the torque created by each and see what the axle diameter is in relation you'd be surprised how small the tractor axle is. Another factor is the weight put to the ground. ATV's have floatation tires that distribute the weight over a large footprint, therefore making the pressure per sq in verry little in relation to a tractor that weighs many times more and needs traction to perform. Traction variation breaks axles-period.
The diff lock is designed, on any vehicle, to be used in a straight ahead-forward driving motion. If for some reason, you needed more traction due to wheel slip, it is available to divide torque to the ground equally.
On the road, or in a front axle, you would see limited slip differentials to allow slippage before breakage. They work well, but would wear out quickly on a tractor. As little as most actually need a diff lock, it's a simple decision to add the manual lock option to the tractor instead.
My experience on a tractor tells me that the diff lock will remain on (or should) as long as it is needed. Meaning, if you push the peddal down to apply the lock, the traction difference will cause a "bind" so to speak and keep it engaged untill the wheels have equal ground speed. At which time it would unlock, or fall out of engagemnt.
If you were to compare the torque created by each and see what the axle diameter is in relation you'd be surprised how small the tractor axle is. Another factor is the weight put to the ground. ATV's have floatation tires that distribute the weight over a large footprint, therefore making the pressure per sq in verry little in relation to a tractor that weighs many times more and needs traction to perform. Traction variation breaks axles-period.
The diff lock is designed, on any vehicle, to be used in a straight ahead-forward driving motion. If for some reason, you needed more traction due to wheel slip, it is available to divide torque to the ground equally.
On the road, or in a front axle, you would see limited slip differentials to allow slippage before breakage. They work well, but would wear out quickly on a tractor. As little as most actually need a diff lock, it's a simple decision to add the manual lock option to the tractor instead.
My experience on a tractor tells me that the diff lock will remain on (or should) as long as it is needed. Meaning, if you push the peddal down to apply the lock, the traction difference will cause a "bind" so to speak and keep it engaged untill the wheels have equal ground speed. At which time it would unlock, or fall out of engagemnt.
ericbx1500
Gold Member
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On the road, or in a front axle, you would see limited slip differentials to allow slippage before breakage. )</font>
That makes a lot of sense. Just like I said before when I had the traction lock engaged and made a turn on my lawn there was give because of the surface I was on. If I were on lets say a hard surface like a cement driveway I think damaged would have accrued. We all agree here that the traction lock should only be used in a straight motion. So my question is that if the traction lock is engaged in a turn (by accident) and lets say your on grass or snow I don’t think it would hurt anything because the wheels have give like in my case it ripped up the grass were the inside wheel traveled.
Am I right or wrong here??
On the road, or in a front axle, you would see limited slip differentials to allow slippage before breakage. )</font>
That makes a lot of sense. Just like I said before when I had the traction lock engaged and made a turn on my lawn there was give because of the surface I was on. If I were on lets say a hard surface like a cement driveway I think damaged would have accrued. We all agree here that the traction lock should only be used in a straight motion. So my question is that if the traction lock is engaged in a turn (by accident) and lets say your on grass or snow I don’t think it would hurt anything because the wheels have give like in my case it ripped up the grass were the inside wheel traveled.
Am I right or wrong here??
