Shawn T. W.
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2025
- Messages
- 463
- Location
- SW Missouri Ozarks
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB - Kubota L5030 - John Deere Z960M
I don't need to reach that high, I don't even have the optional 2' extension for it ... 
<snip> I rarely need or use 4X4, and if used properly like the manual calls for on ground that will allow a tire to slide or spin, like ice or mud, I can't see what difference how much weight is on the front would make a difference in wear and tear on the front axle ... <snip>
Bear in mind that the later model GC's have only one brake; earlier models had two (they had to be synchronized), but the effect is basically the same. They only work on the rear wheels, unless you are in 4-wheel drive. You have zero braking on the front wheels if you are not. Be careful out there!
Hate to bring this subject up again BUT just read a sad tale on the Orange Tractor Forum (OTT) where someone with a Kubota BXs tractor had a failure of his differential while in 2-wheel drive and lost ALL braking. The BXs transaxle is very similar to the later GC's and has a single brake which is upstream of the differential. It's 4-wheel drive for me all the time.Yeah, I know.
I rarely even use the brakes, it's more of a parking brake for me ... If it won't stay still on a slope, I'll use the brake to stop it from rolling, then apply the parking brake to hold it in place ... I usually have weight on the back tires for traction, helps in going and stopping.