Think I broke 4wd

[kubotalinc]

I have had a bunch of tractors small and large and have not ever broke a front end??

 

[kenstrac]

After 35 years of operating tractors 2WD and 4WD pulling an implement on the 3PH or draw bar if it hangs up the weight is usually transferred to the rear end and the front end gets light or lifts off the ground.
So I don't know how you broke the front wheel drive.

 

[wade simpson]

I don't know either but I should have some answers this time next week. I just hope it doesn't cost too much. I don't think it has anything to do with the box blade.

 

[Gil Case]

The only time I have heard of breaking front axles is by driving into a pile with the FEL in 4WD. If the load is too heavy, when you try to back out of the pile, the rear wheels can be off the ground or at least very light, so all the drive power is going to the front axles. This was common in early Rhinos and other Chinese mfg tractors, most of which came with AG tires.

 

[mrutkaus]

Sorry, but thanks for the warning, will take more care.

Mike

 

[gkm]

I've got 400+ hours on my CK and it's never really been out of 4wd. I don't abuse the tractor, but it gets plenty of hard work. I am not worried in the slightest regarding the front end/4wd...it's one beefy unit and it's meant to be used.

 

[kubotalinc]

I don't know either but I should have some answers this time next week. I just hope it doesn't cost too much. I don't think it has anything to do with the box blade.

any word on your tractor?

 

[wade simpson]

Nope, I'll call them tomorrow if they don't call before.

 

[wade simpson]

I've got 400+ hours on my CK and it's never really been out of 4wd. I don't abuse the tractor, but it gets plenty of hard work. I am not worried in the slightest regarding the front end/4wd...it's one beefy unit and it's meant to be used.

I used to leave mine in 4wd all the time. I read here some fella said that I should take it out if I don't need it. That was the way I used to operate my truck so it sounded right.

I'm wondering if leaving it in 4wd at the start may have weakened it. I don't see how it could as the tractor has never seen anything but a homemade dirt road and the woods. I don't think I overly hard on it from what I read here.

I wish I could be there when the mechanic opens the front end to see what gave. I think I'll ask them to save it for me so I can see the broken part(s).

 

[kubotalinc]

the part that broke in mine was as small as the palm on your hand, since I saw the broken part I only use 4wd when its needed

 

[wade simpson]

I just talked to the dealer. It was a small shaft in the front . There have been problems with these small shafts (bad casting). I don't have a manual yet so I can't describe it better.

It will be at least a week to get the part.

All in all a good ending

 

[blueriver]

I just talked to the dealer. It was a small shaft in the front . There have been problems with these small shafts (bad casting). I don't have a manual yet so I can't describe it better.

It will be at least a week to get the part.

All in all a good ending

So it will be warranty work? My thoughts on 4x4 ... MFWD... if the mfg wanted it to remain locked in, they would not have put a lever on it to engage and disengage. I only use mine when its needed.

 

[gauthier]

Thats the way I see it to,its 4wd,not all wheel drive,,,anybody who drove a 4wd truck back in the 60's/70's,understands that.

 

[wade simpson]

I took it as warrenty work. I was talking to the mechanic tho. I asked if there could had been anything that I did that could have contributed to the failure. He said beyond shifting on the fly or something similar he couldn't think of anything.

 

[kubotalinc]

I am sure its the same thing mine was going through , it took a month to get the part they were back ordered ,good luck with it!

 

[SPYDERLK]

I took it as warrenty work. I was talking to the mechanic tho. I asked if there could had been anything that I did that could have contributed to the failure. He said beyond shifting on the fly or something similar he couldn't think of anything.

Shifting on the fly is fine ... as long as youre not spinning when you engage it.
larry

 

[lilranch2001]

I just bought a 5' box blade on Fri and used it for about 4 or 5 hrs. Everything worked great. Later on that night I went out to start working on a new part of the road. everything was working fine then I noticed the tractor seemed to be bogging down more, I just thought I was losing traction . It was dark so I couldn't really see much so I packed it in for the night.

Next morning, back at it. As soon as I started pulling I knew something was wrong. The tractor could barely pull the BB without spinning the rear tires, I checked to make sure I was in 4wd. The front tires were not spinning with the rears. I took the bb off and put on the rear blade, same problem, will barely pull the blade, even in loose soil, without spinning the rear tires.

I lifted the front and spun the tires, the differential seemed to work but not always. It seemed like I could make one wheel turn without the other turning. I put the bucket flat and moved slowly fwd while lifting the fronts off the ground, at first the front seemed to be turned under power, the second time they didn't turn.

I bought the BB from the same dealer I bought the tractor from and asked a few times if the tractor could handle that size, he said it could. I always work in low range, stop to shift, never force the shift but move the tractor a little to let it slip into gear.

Anyway, off to the mechanic, hope it is not too expensive if it turns out to be misuse.
Any similar experiences?

Wade, just curious, what tractor model are you referring to, just curious if it crosses over to the white models

:confused2:

 

[wade simpson]

Ck20s gear. I don't know anything about bobcat tractors.

 

[edameyer]

I want to add my $.02 worth. I have a CK20 gear with about 400 hours and like a few others here, I have rarely used it without being in 4wd. 2wd on pavement of course.

I did have a problem with the front end once but that was due to my not filling it properly when changing the oil in it and then it was bearings that went out, not any shaft. I have worked it real hard moving lots of dirt, FEL to capacity etc. I have also used it moving snow with back blade and FEL with front wheels only chained up.

I think these things are designed tough and to be used which I have done without breaking.

 

[wade simpson]

That's good to know. Once fixed I should never have another problem with the front.

How come you put chains only on the front wheels?