4WD on the fly?

Will · Aug 16, 2000

I've found that if I'm driving my B2100DT straight with constant light load that I can shift between 2WD and 4WD without stopping or clutching. I just gently push the lever and in it goes without any fuss at all. This is very convenient if you are mowing up a damp hill and don't want to slip while driving up or tear up the lawn when you turn at the end.

I'm not sure I trust myself to tell the difference between a neat trick and a dumb idea. So what do you think, is this ok for the tractor?

W5FL · Aug 16, 2000

As long as you keep the speed low and the pressure on the 4WD lever low, you should do ok. You are just engaging a gear that is turning pretty slowly. There is a slight danger that if you really mess up and have to clutch, you may also need brakes to keep from rolling back, but at low speeds that is unlikely.

Hank Ortag · Aug 16, 2000

I have the b2100hsd and have the same experience./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif Most of the time I come to a full stop and change from 2 to 4. However, since it changes so smooth with out grinding, I still will change on the move altho only when moving slowly. Hope I never find out that what I am doing is really stupid./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Anonymous Poster · Aug 16, 2000

I don't know about Kubotas but with JD 790's and 2355's there is not the requirement to be stopped to shift into 4 wheel drive. Since the front axle parts and the driveshaft are always turning, the gears should just engage. This is just like the old 4 wheel drive vehicles with locking hubs, as long as the hubs are locked in, then you could shift in and out of 4 wheel drive when ever you wished.