Snow clearing snow in 4wd?

[valley]

Greetings, Jinma 254......When you're moving snow do you use 4wd? When you are on dry pavement do you use 4wd? Thanks Richard

 

[LBrown59]

Greetings, Jinma 254......When you're moving snow do you use 4wd? When you are on dry pavement do you use 4wd? Thanks Richard

I never take the tractor out of 4wd.

 

[greenmule]

As long as you are on snow or dirt you can safely use 4wd[thats what its for],but on bare pavement,not good idea,especially turning.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes, I always use 4 wheel drive when moving snow on my Jinma 254.

Chris

 

[valley]

Chris, What about on dry pavement? You read what Greenmule wrote. Thats true on some cars. Today I was pushing snow, sun was out and the roadway was dry. I had it in 4WD and was wondering if it could cause a problem. Richard

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dry pavement can lead to problems. If its dry you should not need 4x4. I have never pushed snow on dry pavement. I guess I could see doing it if I were moving snow banks or something like that but I have never done it.

Chris

 

[JDeerekid]

I doubt you will cause any damage unless you are going fast and making constant sharp turns. If the pavement is dry what is there to plow? You can always move the snow in 2wd and if you start to slip use the 4wd, but like I said you should be hurting anything.

 

[greenmule]

Well if you are doing your drive and get to the end where state road is clear would be one way,or..road could have center cleared and you are pushing the edges back,thats two ways right there you could be plowing snow on bare pavement.
Just asking for something to break in front end if you use 4wd on bare pavement or concrete,espiecially pushing or pulling a load.
One maybe safer way if you was doing much of this,is to get a set of rear chains and use 2wd?

 

[valley]

Thanks fellows, I cleared the road earler today. The sun is fairly high in the sky this time of year. When I went out later to widen the road was steaming almost dry. I do have chains on the rear wheels. I got the answer I was looking for, if its dry, 2wd is less stress on the drivetrain. Thanks Richard

 

[geobar]

You have your answer, but also keep in mind that you can switch back and forth on the fly, so why not. 2 wd is easier on the drive train and may save some fuel.

 

[Bob Rooks]

LBrown59,
I'm curious, does your tractor have an inter-axle differential with a lock-out?
I'm not that familiar with wheeled tractors.

 

[greg_g]

Greetings, Jinma 254......When you're moving snow do you use 4wd? When you are on dry pavement do you use 4wd? Thanks Richard

One thing to be very very careful about - is where the rubber meets the road. Let's say you're going along on snow/ice - bucket down - and clearing snow like crazy. Tires are spinning, but 4wd gives you enough tractor to keep plowing ahead.

So far, so good. But watch for clear pavement ahead of the spinning front tires. If they grab solid ground - while the rears are still spinning - something's gonna snap.

//greg//

 

[valley]

Greetings, I'm moving back and forth 4wd-2wd now. Did greg's drive down the valley, just to get used to the thractor, did a lousy job. It is an up hill but straight drive. like to have auto-trans. Well! Today you see the road surface anywhere. Its coming down at a couple inches an hour.

 

[valley]

RE:The Michigan 55A has full time Auto trans. The all four wheels are the same size. Michigan called it a Wheel loader and Tractor Shovel. It could lift this Foton 254 with not a problem. It is old and does not articulate. It will drive up anything but is too long to instal a backhoe. I use used grader tires on it, the county retires them when with as much as 60 percent tread. The origional engine was replaced with a six cylinder inline Ford.

 

[valley]

Greg, I'll watch out for that. When I can see the road surface again I'll play it safe. I think when spring comes there are many things this little machine will be well suited for. Richard