BX Differential Lock

[JimMorrissey]

Hello,

Question for ya'll. --I can't seem to figure out exactly how to engage the differential lock "correctly". Obviously you can just step on it when the wheels are spinning, but I've been told not to engage the lock while the wheels are spinning.....doesn't make much sense to me, cuz that's when you need the lock! And, if you don't engage it at the time the wheels are spinning then it usually won't engage fully. I don't want to stop, lose my momentum and fiddle around trying to gently engage it. I want to step on the pedal when it's required. I've asked this question before and got a range of answers so I'm going to ask it again and hope for some consensus.

Thanks, Jim

 

[Gomez]

OK. What I do is when the tire starts spinning, I'll back off on the hydro pedal so there is still some motion occurring, then engage the diff lock and apply more pedal as needed.

 

[hogboy]

I don't bother to engage it at all. If I start spinning I just stop, put it in 4 wheel and thats that.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I took delivery of a Kioti dk40 last week.In going over everything the dealer said engage the diff.lock while the tires are spinning.I had a chance to try it the next day turning a manure pile.Even in FWD I was spinning in the soft clay I stepped on the diff.lock pedal and away I went.

Mike

 

[TresCrows]

Just let up on the hydro pedal slightly as you step down on the diff lock and away you will go. J

 

[Soundguy]

I think the key is to apply the diff lock while there is some forward movement still.. but not it you are going full tilt. The diff lock might not be nice to the rear end if it is going way too fast.

Soundguy

 

[techman]

Jim:

I have found the best way is to stop motion, step on the lock pedal and then slowly ease forward with the hydro. The lock will "drop into gear" as you start moving. Hold down the lock pedal as long as you need, and release anytime.

paul

 

[Bird]

That's the way I did it, too, Paul.

 

[billfires]

Soundguy, how do you use the diff. lock on your NH 1920? Do you use the hand throttle? I have size 13 feet but can't reach both the accelerator and diff at the same time.

Bill C

 

[JerryG]

If you engage the lock while the wheels are still rolling or spinning it will damage the tranny. I have seen and taken apart tractors where the owner thought that it would waste a few more seconds to let them stop. One day the gears will not engage just right and you will hear a big pop. Then it’s time to go the shop. Don’t take a chance. Stop then engage…

 

[Spencer]

Attached is a image from my New Holland owners manual. I realize you are asking about the Kubota BX but all types of tractor owners read these threads so I thought I would pass this along to the NH guys. You guys scared me there for a minute because I ALWAYS engage my differential lock while I am moving.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Thanks all. J, that's pretty much what I was doing, just wasn't sure if I was supposed to "stop first". I'll just ease up and drop it in while the wheels are slowly moving. Actually that's the only way I've been able to engage the diff-lock. It's near impossible to engage it if the wheels aren't moving a bit. I sometimes need diff lock and 4WD when pulling a york rake. The rake can grab a lot of material quickly if you're not paying attention or have the wheels at an incorrect depth. --All four tires will spin...especially going uphill or in loose soil. Sometimes I fill the loader with dirt to give extra traction to the front wheels.

 

[TresCrows]

I think if you unload the gears by letting up on the hydro pedal no damage will be done. Obvisoulsy stomping the diff lock down while one tires is a whirling dervish and the other is stone still will not be a good thing. My BX usually would not engage either without some motion--so why stop--to have to start again to get the diff lock to engage--just smoothly push it down as you let up on the hydro, once you feel it engage put the pedal to the metal and hang on cuz the little BX is going to hunker down and go for the goal. Y'all remember Campbell of the Houston Oilers and Bum? He played his heart out for the Bum and almost always got the yardage---well, he surely owns a BX. J

 

[Soundguy]

I use the foot throttle in situations where I need extra oomph, but when mowing, discing, etc. I set the hand throttle, then the rear diff lock is available via foot.

Soundguy

 

[b8200hst4wd]

The Diff Lock ony is need when 4wd in engauged and 2 wheels are spinning and to need to keep moving i just let up on the pedal and slowly spin the tire till' the pin lines up and engauges