Traction Hard to use diff lock

[Lowrider2120]

ps
The Hurlimann 435 has locking diffs both front and rear. The front lock is Hydraulic actuated. Let me say that in 4WD, with locked diffs all around, this little tractor will claw it's way up most anything, ;-)

Back a few years I built a 350 Chevy powered CJ2A with lockers front and rear...I think it would climb trees if you could get traction and it would stay ahead of a 5 liter Mustang up to 55 mph or so...wish I still had it. One day I might put a V6 in my '57 FC 150 but then it's pretty cool stock too.

 

[ovrszd]

Love the old FCs.

With lockers in both axles you truly have 4wd. Everything else is less. A tractor with 4wd engaged and rear diff lock engaged is still just 3wd. Without diff lock is only 2wd.

 

[katoomed00]

With both my BX and TYM I just hold a little pressure on the pedal while driving, when the gears eventually line up the pedal engages, sometimes it engages quickly other times it takes a few yards, unless one wheel starts slipping then it will engage instantly.

 

[ovrszd]

My first experience with diff lock was in 1972. I returned from Vietnam in October. Dad had purchased a new Ford 4000 while I was gone. He was doing Fall plowing. He said, if you have any trouble spinning step on the diff lock pedal. Okay. Down the field I go. Didn't have any noticeable problem with slippage but stepped on the pedal anyway. Got to the end of the field, lifted the plow and turned right. Well, tried to turn right. Just before I was about to hit the fence I clutched the tractor. WTH???? Backed up to make my turn and realized the diff lock hadn't released........ Sure glad I didn't run Dad's new tractor thru that fence......

 

[Alien]

I put my heel on mine while moving and hold it there and it will engage. When I remove my heel it disengages.

 

[Lowrider2120]

I put my heel on mine while moving and hold it there and it will engage. When I remove my heel it disengages.

Yes Sir....that's the way it should work.

Been working at getting my "one size fits all" subframe fit my WoodMaxx 8600 BH...It took some major mods to get it to fit. Anyway, I'll try the diff lock again tomorrow. Like the tractor so far...cab makes all the difference!! Outside Friday...38F...inside 72F in a tee shirt...wonderful invention.

 

[CalG]

Yes Sir....that's the way it should work.

Under load, lifting your heel off the pedal won't pull the pin out of the hole. That's for sure.

But if the tractor is moving easily on the flat, and not needing a locked diff, the lock will disengage easily when the pedal is lifted. (just like a hitch pin ;-)

 

[Lowrider2120]

Zero for 3 tries so I made a diff lock crutch or some would call it a 2x4 but I used it to push the diff lock down and it worked fine when I lean on it hard. It's gotta be the spring is too strong to routinely push the pedal down with my boot heel. I'm going to find a lower rated spring to replace the factory spring and see how that works.

 

[Lowrider2120]

I put #1 son on the tractor and asked him to use the diff lock and he was able to do it 3 out of 5 tries and he agreed it's a lot harder to use compared to the Ford diff lock he is used to using. Proves nothing but I feel better that he thought it was too stiff too. Guess it's back to using the diff lock crutch.

 

[Coyote machine]

I stomp my left heel down on the diff lock pedal on my DK-40 Kioti and it engages no problem. I try to go straight forward or backward when the diff is locked, as it is designed to work that way. I wouldn't change out the spring, just get used to what makes it work and then do that.

As far as your other complaint; about a 'fits all' subframe backhoe frame, this is NOT the case. Someone told you a line of bull. The Kioti subframe is designed to fit the Kioti hoes that are specked for your tractor model. Kioti's web site says which Kioti hoes fit what model Kioti. Other brand hoes are NOT made to fit Kioti's subframe brackets, to the best of my knowledge. I have a Kioti subframe backhoe and it fits my Kioti exactly as it should, and my previous Kioti too.

 

[Lowrider2120]

The Subframe fits the tractor just fine and now fits my WoodMaxx BH too. I haven't used the hoe yet since we're trying to get the brush and stump burning done before things get dry but I have no reason to believe it won't work...it was just a lot of work making the "non-spec" hoe fit the subframe.

Regarding the "one size fits all" statement...I want to believe the dealer was confused and I'll leave it at that.

I'm pushing piles of brush and stumps and I'm almost done so it may be a long time before I need the diff lock again but I believe it should be a lot more user friendly.

 

[Coyote machine]

OK. I agree the diff lock might be able to be easier to engage, but it works, yes? As several have pointed out, the purpose is not to make it like flipping a switch; instead it's something to be used ONLY when absolutely needed. In that line of thought I'd encourage you to use it as needed and to maybe consider the work you're doing and if the tractor is the right tool for the particular job at hand. Don't get my intent wrong here, I'm just suggesting if you're needing to lock the diff a lot, possibly the job or the tractor aren't matched to the work needing to be done. It's not a dozer, though the Kiotis can push loads like any other tractor, possibly you need to have a bigger tractor for the payload needed to be moved or make more trips to/from the pile. OR have the hoe on the tractor to give greater ballast and keep the wheel(s) from spinning?

I mentioned the 'fits all' sub-frame because I don't want you or possibly other readers to think that what your dealer led you to believe about a fits all sub-frame is accurate when it clearly isn't.
I don't know what you're saying here: "The Subframe fits the tractor just fine and now fits my WoodMaxx BH too".
Is that meant to say you bought a bare Kioti sub-frame and 'matched it' to a Woodmaxx hoe?
If so, why go that route instead of just buying the applicable Kioti hoe?

Bottom line; I think you bought a great tractor that may or may not be suited to what you're trying to get it to do in this task list, but as you get more accustomed to it you will likely really enjoy what it is capable of doing.

 

[Lowrider2120]

My Ford 2120 was broken so I traded it for a smaller machine that's capable of doing what I need, just making more trips. I'm working in loose material and yesterday needed the diff lock maybe 8 times. I'm spoiled with the 2120...more power and weight and 1/2cy bucket with a diff lock that worked smoothly. I have no misconception about the capabilities of the 3510and it will serve me well I'm sure. I'm moving from 25 acres to 2 which may explain why a smaller machine is appropriate. One more day of pushing brush, logs and stumps and I'll be done with that chore. I like the 3510 just fine and glad I chose it.

The tractor came with the subframe attached but I had to do some significant mods to get it to fit the BH I had on the 2120. That job is done and I believe it will function just fine on the smaller tractor and be more stable on a subframe than a 3PH hookup. The WoodMaxx 8600 is a fine hoe and I have septic work and 480' of water line to dig and I'm sure I'll enjoy doing it.

Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks for getting back on the questions I posed.
I thought maybe it was a switch of a hoe from a prior machine to the Kioti, as you confirmed.
I'm certain the sub-frame mount will wreak much less havoc to the hoe/tractor operator than a 3PH attached hoe would.

I'm confident you will indeed enjoy the Kioti once you get past the task at hand, and use it more for jobs suited to its size/capabilities.

Enjoy it. Post some pics of the work you've done with it future work if you have no pics of the current job.

 

[Oldpath05]

I use my differential lock all the time, if that goes, I'd have to get it fixed, if it would cost more than 5k to fix, then senora and hasta la vista. A 4x4 tractor without diff lock on my land would be useless, soon as the front end bottoms out, one rear tire starts spinning, although tire chains make a big difference on mine but maybe tractors shouldn't have tire chains on them either, that way tires will spin more and it wont get over worked.

 

[ovrszd]

I use my differential lock all the time, if that goes, I'd have to get it fixed, if it would cost more than 5k to fix, then senora and hasta la vista. A 4x4 tractor without diff lock on my land would be useless, soon as the front end bottoms out, one rear tire starts spinning,

Yep, me too.

 

[Lowrider2120]

I was dragging some basket ball size rocks today with the box scraper and tried to use the diff lock several times...still a 2 wheel drive until I put the 2x4 to work...then 3 wheel drive kicked in. Maybe I should weld on a long handle on the diff lock pedal and maybe I can use my left knee to push it...maybe it'll work then.

 

[Oldpath05]

Since I dont have a easy operating diff lock pedal that is a standard feature on the Ford 3910FWD. I resorted to a diff lock holder downer that is an additional feature found on my idiotic hard pressing down differential lock pedal. I think my pedal was designed by the Three Stooges, I couldn't hold mine down 5 seconds without my knee hurting till I modified it. I'd really like to ask Moe about this and ask him what was he thinking...

 

[Lowrider2120]

Great...a perfect solution to a pesky problem!!

My problem is getting it down, but I did upgrade my workaround today by using a 2x2 with a round notch cut into the one end and a rounded area on the other end making it easier on my hand when I push down on the diff lock. Works OK but is hard to store in a location that's easy to reach when I need it. Still thinking about extending the lever to provide more leverage.

 

[VictorW]

My 2004 model year CK30hst has a short diff lock lever and I too have thought about extending it a little to make it easier. I guess they kept it short to not get in the way but it does take a little pressure and a reasonably precise placement of your heel. I don't need it that often so I have just put up with it for 12 years.