Traction What'll give me teh most traction

Opti-Mist · Aug 4, 2009

orezok said:
When the box blade is fully loaded, the "pull" of the 3 point is above the rear axle or draw bar point resulting in a lightening of the front end (think slight wheelie). I usually get front wheel spin loss of traction before rear. That is why I was thinking of additional weight on the front might help.

Rears are already loaded.

You are correct in this case as you will improve your stability and safety. I do agree with adding weight to achieve balance to keep the front end on the ground.

My distaste for overweighting the front end with a front wheel assist tractor stems from front axle rebuilds due to wearout. That is not what I'm hearing from you here. You will improve your performance.

orezok · Aug 4, 2009

Opti-Mist said:
My distaste for overweighting the front end with a front wheel assist tractor stems from front axle rebuilds due to wearout. That is not what I'm hearing from you here. You will improve your performance.

How do you differentiate between "4 wheel drive" and "front wheel assist" as you call it. When I put my 7800 in 4 wheel, it appears that the front and rear are locked together. There is no center differential or split to the hydro.

archerm3 · Aug 5, 2009

orezok said:
How do you differentiate between "4 wheel drive" and "front wheel assist" as you call it. When I put my 7800 in 4 wheel, it appears that the front and rear are locked together. There is no center differential or split to the hydro.

A center diff would take away FWA or 4 wheel drive altogether. The difference b/w 4wd and FWA is in the gearing ratio of the front axle (through combination of axle ratio and wheel size). FWA is "geared" so that the front wheels are traveling at a slightly higher speed than the rear wheels. Unlike a 4wd truck where the front wheels and rear wheels turn at the same speed (which is why 4wd trucks scrub and bind when turning; front wheels turning a larger circle than the rears)

ustobefarmer · Aug 5, 2009

In front wheel assist the drive line in a lot smaller and built lighter. In a four wheel drive the front drive is the same size and built as strong as the rear drive line.

Soundguy · Aug 5, 2009

orezok said:
Maybe in Florida, but not in our soil types.

I'm curious what gives you better traction than an ag.. or possibly a rice tire in your area? have you found something more agressive??

soundguy

orezok · Aug 5, 2009

Soundguy said:
I'm curious what gives you better traction than an ag.. or possibly a rice tire in your area? have you found something more agressive??

soundguy

Because of our 2 diametrically opposed soil types, loose blow sand and asphalt like caliche, R4's are the best answer. The blow sand is a fairly uniform size rounded sand grain with little to no binder available, and since our humidity runs less than 10% most of the time it's basically powder. If you put R1's on it, they are too narrow and will sink as they spin because there is no cohesive soil to bite into. Don't worry, you stop sinking when you hit the caliche layer! Flotation is the key in that material. Turf tires would probably work well, but since just about every plant out here has some type of thorn, they are too fragile.

The caliche presents a different problem. It literally is as hard as asphalt 360 days a year. I can drive down my "dirt" road and literally not leave a track. It is however as abrasive as asphalt so again the R4's are the answer.

You can see my quest for more traction is a quandry.

Opti-Mist · Aug 5, 2009

As others have posted; FWD consists of a powered front axle fitted with wheels & tires of a smaller diameter than the rears, 4WD consists of four equal sized wheels & tires. The fronts on a FWD system seek to cover ground at a slightly faster rate than the rears while in a 4WD system the speeds are essentially equal.

Soundguy · Aug 6, 2009

I think a tracked vehicle at that point will be your best bet!

I have seen tracks made for older tractors.. from companies like aarps and bombardier.. but nothing in modern times... used bogey wheels at mid tractor.. etc..

soundguy

Opti-Mist · Aug 6, 2009

Soundguy said:
I think a tracked vehicle at that point will be your best bet!

I have seen tracks made for older tractors.. from companies like aarps and bombardier.. but nothing in modern times... used bogey wheels at mid tractor.. etc..

soundguy

Good point - half tracks. They used to be not uncommon for tractors. Years ago the mailman even had a Model A with half-tracks on the back and skis on the front for winter use.