Kubota l4330 HSTC 4wheel drive not engaging.

[magellan]

The four wheel drive worked the last time I used it while plowing snow with the bucket last winter. After finishing mowing for the season, I reinstalled the bucket. I tried to engage the four wheel drive. The lever moved into the proper position but it did not engage the four wheel drive and the 4 wheel drive light on the dash readout also was not lit. I used the bucket to lift the front end with the lever in the four wheel drive position. I rotated one tire with the opposite tire spinning also. I also looked underneath the tractor and the metal linkage did not look bent. I noticed there was a split pin from the lever outside lever to the internal connection but did not drive it out to see if it was broken. Are there any suggestions on what may be the problem and what I may be able to do to check it further. The tractor is a 2004 model with less than 200 hours on it. I can't believe this should be failing this soon.

 

[KennyV]

...I used the bucket to lift the front end with the lever in the four wheel drive position. I rotated one tire with the opposite tire spinning also.

Did the other wheel rotate the same direction as the one you turned? Or did it rotate opposite?? KennyV

 

[magellan]

It rotated in the opposite direction.

 

[KennyV]

That is normal...
if you can rotate them BOTH in the Same direction... then the drive shaft is turning...

with one going one direction and the other going opposite, the drive shaft is NOT turning and that is what you should expect if it was in fact IN 4 wheel drive with the front wheels off the ground... The differential spider gears are doing that...

If you can turn Both front wheels the same direction While it is in 4 wheel drive THEN you have a problem as the drive shaft Will be turning and coupled to the Rear wheels.... KennyV

 

[magellan]

Thank you for your replies! I mostly understand what you are saying but could you clarify what you think the problem is and where it may lie. I would have thought that with the front end off the ground and the four wheel drive actually engaged, that I would not be able to turn the wheels at all.

 

[KennyV]

You Would NOT be able to turn them BOTH in the Same direction....

You can ALWAYS turn one while the other turns opposite, that's because there is a differential splitting the left and right side... there is no lock for the Front axle.... KennyV

So far it sounds like you do Not have a problem...

 

[slowzuki]

The 30 series don't have a 4wd light on the dash as far as I know. Mine doesn't. Have to look at the lever position.

The tire rotating opposite is normal in 4wd.

 

[magellan]

For whatever reason I thought that there was a 4wd light but when I checked the manual there was not, my mistake. However, I double checked by having the 4wd lever in the 4wd position and trying to get up a small hill that I never had problems before. The rear tires spun and it was obvious that the 4wd was not working. Any other suggestions to pin point the problem?

 

[KennyV]

Yes .. use your Loader and lift the front axle ... THEN with it IN 4WD and the engine OFF... See what the front axle is doing (allowing for the spider gears)...

If it is in 4WD you WILL NOT be able to turn both front wheels in the same direction....
IF you CAN... then it is NOT actually in 4WD... KennyV

 

[Motractr]

Sometimes I have to "rock" the tractor to get the 4330 to shift into 4WD. When in 4wd, there is no indicator light, but you can tell by the handling and the additional load on the tractor that you are in 4WD.