Rougher in 4WD, normal?

[wxboy]

Recently when plowing I've noticed that there is a slight vibration when moving forward or backward when 4wd is engaged. I don't remember noticing this the last 2 seasons so I wanted to see if anyone else with a 2305 or similar tractor has noticed this. I feel this when going straight so it has nothing to do with turning and binding on dry pavement. It's kind of hard to explain what I'm feeling but basically the drivetrain feels noticeably rougher in 4wd than 2wd. I waited until I noticed this on a few storms before posting to make sure I wasn't imagining the issue but now I'm sure that it is rougher in 4wd. My 3 year warranty is coming up in a few months so I'm trying to figure out if I should have the tractor looked at or if this is normal.

 

[Eagleview]

Are the tyres worn equally ? Are the air pressures correct ? It could be jogging while in 4X4 , disipating the axle wind up .

 

[Labrat]

I would check the u joints in the front driveshaft. They are under a lot of stress when steering with the tractor in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement and can fail prematurely.

 

[wxboy]

Tires are worn evenly but with only 100 hrs I'm not sure that any wear would be noticeable. I haven't checked tire pressure in a while but each time I have checked them all tires are always within 1 psi of each other.

 

[mfreund]

100 hrs on a almost 3 yr old tractor!!??? You need more seat time One thing you might try is swapping tires left front to right front and the same on the other side and that should tell you if it is in the tires or drivetrain. Tires I would not worry, drivetrain I would get checked out. This tractor sits ALOT it is possible to have flat spots develop on the tires. It could be more noticible in 4wd because the front tires are pulling. I always place my motorcycle on a lift for the winter because of this.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I wouldn't think there should be any noticable difference between 2wd and 4wd. Sounds like a drive line or front end problem. If possible get it up on 4 jack stands and have someone run it in both 2wd and 4wd and see if you can hear,feel or see anything. Be sure and check the front axle fluid level.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Labrat]

If you can still feel the vibration when driving on snow It's probably not the tires.

 

[wxboy]

I don't think it's the tires because it feel like a roughness in the drivetrain to me. I have felt the bumpy ride of driving the tractor when it sat in cold weather and the tires had flat spots but this isn't that. I like the idea of getting it up on jack stands and running it because maybe I'll see something. I just can't imagine what could be wrong with the 4wd system with only 100 hours on the tractor and probably on a a few of those hours were in 4wd. I try to plow in 2wd whenever possible and only 2 4wd as necessary.

I did have to top off the front axle fluid at the 50 hr. service because it was low but it should still be up there because there is no sign of a leak on my garage floor.

Between this and the pto solenoid that appears to be broken I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm for this green toy.

 

[dirtworksequip]

wxboy, while you have it up on the jack stands check by hand the front wheels and drive line to see if there is any noticable looseness.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[davkir]

On my 2305, I can't tell the difference between 2 and 4wd going straight on dirt or crushed stone. A portion of my driveway is paved and if I forget and leave it in 4wd, on the paving it makes a growling sound with a noticeable vibration. (Kind of a reminder to put it in 2wd.)
It's been the same since new. (Aug. 05)

 

[wxboy]

Thanks davkir, that gives me hope that maybe this is normal. I'll have to test it out this weekend on a snow covered driveway and a cleared driveway. I didn't think that dry pavement would affect 4wd when not turning but maybe it does. If I can determine that what I'm feeling is normal for this tractor then I'll feel much better.

 

[RalphVa]

My 4010, which is the same weight as your 2305 but geared differently because of the way the wheel shafts go straight out for greater clearance vs. down like yours, sounds rougher in 4wd on paved surfaces. This is because the front wheels are designed to go slightly faster than the rears. This is tougher on paved surfaces.

On pavement with snow, you won't notice any problem. The front wheels can overslip a little bit on the more slippery surface.

Ralph

 

[wxboy]

Well I plowed today and I'm still a little uncertain as to whether the rough feeling is normal but I feel a bit better after davkir and RalphVa's posts.

Driving down the driveway on top of the snow before I plowed I didn't notice any vibration. I did notice it after I would plow a section and then back up on the same plowed path. So it feels strange to me but for now I'm going to assume it's normal and see if I notice any change over the rest of the winter. Most likely it's normal(I hope).

 

[kennyd]

On my 2305, I can't tell the difference between 2 and 4wd going straight on dirt or crushed stone. A portion of my driveway is paved and if I forget and leave it in 4wd, on the paving it makes a growling sound with a noticeable vibration. (Kind of a reminder to put it in 2wd.)
It's been the same since new. (Aug. 05)

My 4010, which is the same weight as your 2305 but geared differently because of the way the wheel shafts go straight out for greater clearance vs. down like yours, sounds rougher in 4wd on paved surfaces. This is because the front wheels are designed to go slightly faster than the rears. This is tougher on paved surfaces.

On pavement with snow, you won't notice any problem. The front wheels can overslip a little bit on the more slippery surface.

Ralph

Same here x3. I think every thing is fine with your machine.

 

[YukonPete]

My 4010, which is the same weight as your 2305 but geared differently because of the way the wheel shafts go straight out for greater clearance vs. down like yours, sounds rougher in 4wd on paved surfaces. This is because the front wheels are designed to go slightly faster than the rears. This is tougher on paved surfaces.

On pavement with snow, you won't notice any problem. The front wheels can overslip a little bit on the more slippery surface.

Ralph

As was said above, that the front axles on 4 wheel drive tractors are designed to turn faster than the rears. I have driven my small 770 and even full size field tractors and they all seem to make more noise on high traction areas with the 4 wheel drive turned on. If you are really concerned I would talk to your John Deere mechanic. If there is something wrong its better to get it fixed now than to have other parts break later.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

My 2305 with maybe 140 hours on it seemed 'rough' and a little noisy in 4wd also (worse on hard surfaces). Not horrible, just lounder than I remembered. I changed the front gearcase (First change unless the dealer had) and put synthetic gear oil in it and it quieted it down quite a bit. I saw a few metal filings come out but nothing major so I think maybe it was just in need of a change.

Question for someone that might know? Do the extreme pressure additives (Phosphorous, etc.) they put in gear oil break down over time? I so how long?

 

[Eagleview]

Hi:

Question for someone that might know? Do the extreme pressure additives (Phosphorous, etc.) they put in gear oil break down over time? I so how long?

Seeing as your question has not been answered , i'll give you my 2.02c .

Yes they do break down over time , how long i don't know . It depends on many things .

What i do is change my oils twice a year , once in June and once in December . You can't forget this way , June is the end of the finacial year and December is the end of the year . I am a contractor that works the gear hard . You may get away with doing it once a year . Oil and filters are cheap , bearings etc are not . Take the guess work out and have peace of mind .