Diff issue or too long since I've plowed?

[pcustoms]

Ck3510SE, 350hrs

Clearing snow tonight (first time since March) and can't tell if I have an issue or not.

Started out in 4wd, noticed where I had drive over snow was pretty slick. Cleaned 1/2 the driveway and went to make a tight turn to go back and heard... something. Couldn't tell what it was (had work tunes on) but sort of sounded like a tire (popped a bead last year in cold weather). Nope all good.

Further down the drive I pushed a little too far off the side and put the front right tire into the ditch, left rear was in the air. Diff lock was super stiff (usually is) so gave up and rocked/pushed my way out with the loader and kept going.

Little while later I noticed the RR tire would break free but left wouldn't. Tried pushing against a tree but plow/loader arms aren't rigid enough for that.

How can I test if I have a problem with the diff? 4 months of warranty left....

 

[Billrog]

lift the front wheels up and turn wheels by hand you should feel any problems.

 

[jyoutz]

lift the front wheels up and turn wheels by hand you should feel any problems.

The diff lock is on the rear wheels.

 

[LouNY]

Jack up the rear and see how it behaves.

 

[pcustoms]

Jack up the rear and see how it behaves.

And how should it behave?

Going to have to get some blocking.

With travel, weather and Xmas parties starting going to be a few days before I can mess with it.

 

[Cycledude]

To me it doesn’t sound like there’s anything wrong with your rear differential.
Next time you plow snow try not making the same mistakes and I suspect the rear differential will work perfectly.

 

[Robin Veerman]

The rear Diff lock is activated by pushing down the lever with your heel. You have to keep down pressure on it or it will pop up and release, as it’s only meant for temporary engagement.

 

[LouNY]

Each rear wheel should rotate with the same amount of effort applied to it. With the range box in gear you will likely see each tire rotating in the opposite direction, with the range gear box in neutral they may rotate independently, with the diff lock pressed all the way down they should both rotate in the same direction.

 

[pcustoms]

The rear Diff lock is activated by pushing down the lever with your heel. You have to keep down pressure on it or it will pop up and release, as it’s only meant for temporary engagement.

No kidding.

This was never in question

 

[ruffdog]

In the past, some people have problems with the linkage from the heel lever rusting where it goes into the case. Spray it up with some lube.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

Before you jack it up push into a pile or snow bank with the front end disengaged and observe what the rear wheels do. If one or the other spin as expected then engage the differential lock and see if they both then pull together. If they don't then you may have a problem with the rear differential lock.

 

[Robin Veerman]

No kidding.

This was never in question

“Little while later I noticed the RR tire would break free but left wouldn't. Tried pushing against a tree but plow/loader arms aren't rigid enough for that”

I guess he understands how the diff lock works…
Hopefully he’ll share the dealer’s explanation/diagnosis if he calls them

 

[Rustyiron]

PC I'll start with the basics not knowing what you're experiencing or you're experience.
Engaging the diff lock has to happen when the rear tires (differential) are rotating.
It can take a 1/4 - 1/2 tire revolution to engage. This should be done at low engine speed to lessen the force of the sudden engagement. You should feel the lever depress further when it "hooks up". It will release when there's "slack" between each other (l&r) unless you're still pushing the "lever".

 

[pcustoms]

Actuating the diff lock isn't the question.

It was never engaged.

I'm concerned about the pop I heard in a sharp turn and that the left rear wheel appeared to have little to know power

 

[ruffdog]

Ck3510SE, 350hrs

Clearing snow tonight (first time since March) and can't tell if I have an issue or not.

Started out in 4wd, noticed where I had drive over snow was pretty slick. Cleaned 1/2 the driveway and went to make a tight turn to go back and heard... something. Couldn't tell what it was (had work tunes on) but sort of sounded like a tire (popped a bead last year in cold weather). Nope all good.

Further down the drive I pushed a little too far off the side and put the front right tire into the ditch, left rear was in the air. Diff lock was super stiff (usually is) so gave up and rocked/pushed my way out with the loader and kept going.

Little while later I noticed the RR tire would break free but left wouldn't. Tried pushing against a tree but plow/loader arms aren't rigid enough for that.

How can I test if I have a problem with the diff? 4 months of warranty left....

If you have the stiff R4 tires you may not notice that the tire is slipping on the rim....it has happened before with other people. Check the pressures with a gauge.

 

[airbiscuit]

With 4 months of warranty left, it's worth informing the dealer of your concerns - just in case

 

[pcustoms]

If you have the stiff R4 tires you may not notice that the tire is slipping on the rim....it has happened before with other people. Check the pressures with a gauge.

THANKS!

I suspect this may have been the "pop" I heard. I'll mark the tire/rim before I do any other tests. I think the noise and the glare ice just made me overly cautious, but need to confirm and schedule service if there is an issue.

Hopefully this weekend is warm enough I can get some lube of the diff lock lever so I can actually use that...

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

If you have the stiff R4 tires you may not notice that the tire is slipping on the rim....it has happened before with other people. Check the pressures with a gauge.

I experienced that one time. Tire pressure had apparently dropped low enough that one rear tire had broke free from the bead. It was in warm weather but it took a moment to figure out why my tractor didn't want to move. Then I realized the rim was spinning in the tire. It was a real bear to get reseated. I am sure if I had an air tank with the 1-1/2" pipe and valve to blast it like the tire shops have it would have been much easier. I doubt that is what is happening here though. It's either going to slip a lot or none at all in my experience. I would definitely check it out soon though. If it has an issue that will be under warranty you will want to get the dealer on it.

 

[pcustoms]

Looks like I can call this one "been a while since I've plowed".

Slightly above freezing today so went out and started the tractor, while it was warming up I marked the LR rim/tire and hoses down the linkages with PB blaster.

Put in in 2wd and tried to push a snowbank back and immediately LR spun. Went to reverse, RR spun. Tried the diff lock (still too stiff IMHO) and got them both to spin. Was trying to come slightly uphill so I expected to slip

Engaged 4wd and backed out. The diff look is not smooth, but it never had been. I'm assuming the bend is factory, but damn this looks goofy:

 

[ruffdog]

I have seen plenty of issues with the CK diff locks and bent linkage. Maybe it is time for some re-engineering?