using 4 wheel drive

GlueGuy · Jan 22, 2002

it would seem that the main topic somehow got sidetracked. anybody know how this happened?

it would seem so. It's sometimes a common affliction around here.

Getting back on the topic.... I find myself switching in/out of 4WD quite often. Particularly when I'm working on the road. I need 4WD to pull a full boxblade, or when doing serious ground engagement. However, if I want to turn on a dime, or want to avoid tearing up the driveway, I find it works better to be in 2WD. So I'm constantly "rowing the boat" with that 4WD lever. Others doing the same thing? Or is this an "as the job demands" kind of thing????

TresCrows · Jan 22, 2002

I usually put either 'bota in 4WD for all jobs other than mowing or pulling my harrow. I do not worry about "hard surfaces" such as hard packed dirt, gravel etc. I do not use 4WD on concrete, blacktop etc unless just a short distance to cross.
I figure it was meant to be used so I use it, besides, without it the 'botas are nothing more than power wheelbarrows, with it they are dirt eating machines.
J

Buck · Jan 22, 2002

accordionman,

I know I'm not saying anything new, but, I have a Jeep with FWD. The owners manual says don't use FWD on dry pavement. The same idea holds with tractors.

Buck

frank_f15 · Jan 22, 2002

THATS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY I WORK IT. ONLY IN 2 WD ON DRY PAVEMENT OR HIGHER SPEEPS.

Jag · Jan 23, 2002

AC-man, I am with GlueGuy, here I am normallly not in 4WD unless needed. I have a lot further to go to use my tractor most of the time than most so I do not use 4 while traveling, only while using ground engageing equipment and FEL... Will take it out of FWD while turning if I am on the lawn or out in one of the crop or hay fields...

Here is a very brief view of 4WD and hard surfaces... It is really about TRACTION.... When turning the front wheels while in 4WD the wheels try to turn at the same rate, (no they do roll at the same rate). Since the inside wheel has a shorter arc to turn than the outside wheel the difference has to go some where.. In other words one tire or the other has to slip. In solf dirt and a tight turn you really plow up some ruts. If both wheels have plenty or traction (hard dry surface) the the gears in the 4WD train forces the tire to over come the large anount of traction the tire has. This causes great stress on the gears and u-joints in the front drive. Leading to ware and broken drive line parts. How often do you want to put the front end under extreme loading, every time you turn the wheel on a hard surface.....

Using 4WD while plowing snow even on pavement there is an enough lubricant (called wet pavement, snow and ice) to allow the tires to slip plenty and should not over stress the drive line.

Hope the quick, simple answer helps....

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 23, 2002

...I am normallly not in 4WD unless needed.

I like to keep mine in 2WD unless I really need the extra traction. It's for the same reason that I keep my brake pedals locked together unless I really need to use the brake turning.

I like to minimize the chances of forgetting some day and being in the wrong mode while driving on the highway.

Besides, if you always use 4WD then you'll never know if you wasted the money you spent on it. If you can't make it through in 2WD, then you know you made a good investment as you pull up that 4WD lever. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

emery · Feb 1, 2002

I always use 4x4 drive when going up or down grass, snow or ice. Going up it keeps you moving and going down it helps to slow and stop free wheeling.

Of course 4x4 is also needed when using some attachments that require the extra traction.

Otherwise, I keep in 2 wheel drive so as not to create unnecessary wear on the font gear box.

Bob_Trevithick · Feb 8, 2002

...Here is a very brief view of 4WD and hard surfaces... It is really about TRACTION.... When turning the front wheels while in 4WD the wheels try to turn at the same rate, (no they do roll at the same rate). Since the inside wheel has a shorter arc to turn than the outside wheel the difference has to go some where.. In other words one tire or the other has to slip.

Is that really the issue? I thought only one front wheel drove? I would think the issue would be more the difference between the driving front wheel and the rear wheels? But I'm a newbie... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

RobS · Feb 8, 2002

Bob, it's true that in mud/snow/ice you may only have one wheel turning due to the differential but on a hard, dry surface both will try to turn (or neither will slip). That's where the problems can occur in 4wd as the front driveshaft and rear may need to turn at different speeds while steering.

I don't think I explained this very well, but it's been a heck of a week. I'm going for beer, then hockey. Anyone want to join me /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bob_Trevithick · Feb 8, 2002

Rob,

...Bob, it's true that in mud/snow/ice you may only have one wheel turning due to the differential but on a hard, dry surface both will try to turn (or neither will slip).

Ahah.. I didn't know that. I thought it was just one wheel on the front. Thanks for the info!

...I don't think I explained this very well, but it's been a heck of a week. I'm going for beer, then hockey. Anyone want to join me /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You explained it just fine, and yes, I'll meet you in 20 minutes for the beer! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks,
Bob