MF 1E.25 (1825E) Diff lock.

[oakhilltop]

I am trying to get familiar with the operations of my new hydrostatic 1E.25, which I believe is almost the same as the 1825E

The diff lock lever only travels about 1/2" when I step on it. Maybe it is engaged, I'm not sure. So, I read the manual and it says to stop the tractor before engaging, press and hold the lever, start ground travel. Seems to me that the lever should have more travel. Also the opening for the lever has a 3ish inch horizontal component, then a 2ish inch downward component. I cannot get the lever to move into that horizontal area at all. It just moves slightly down and back up, never horizontally.

I briefly posted this not realizing that I was looking at the mechanical operation section of the operator's manual instead of the hydrostatic. section. Please disregard any of the comments about the clutch.

 

[Southernspeed]

On both my MFs, you press down on that lever, it won't move much. Start driving then, when you lose traction it will move down a little bit more. Release pressure and it will disengage.

 

[oakhilltop]

Thanks, I will try that during the next storm. I was trying to see how it works and was on dry pavement. I stopped, put it in neutral and stood on the lever and it only moved a little. I was wondering if a little lube was needed, but is seems like this is normal.

 

[oldnslo]

What you can try is to push down on the pedal and drive forward slowly while turning. This would cause the rear wheels to rotate at slightly different speeds until the diff lock engages. Doing this would provide some feedback on how much the pedal moves when engaged vs not engaged.

 

[JTKub]

On both my MFs, you press down on that lever, it won't move much. Start driving then, when you lose traction it will move down a little bit more. Release pressure and it will disengage.

That's how it is on my TYM T224. You have to have to give it a little go pedal for the diff lock to lock in.

 

[Southernspeed]

Thanks, I will try that during the next storm. I was trying to see how it works and was on dry pavement. I stopped, put it in neutral and stood on the lever and it only moved a little. I was wondering if a little lube was needed, but is seems like this is normal.

No need for neutral, just stop, press down and go. But as @oldnslo says, good way to see if it engages.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

If it doesn't lock right away, like was said, either spinning a wheel (gently!) or turning, will get it to lock ... Similar to unlocking, when you let up on the pedal, if it doesn't snap back up, the axles are in tension and once you turn a little, it will unlock ...

 

[ZiggyD]

The diff lock lever only travels about 1/2" when I step on it

And at this point you start driving slowly while continuing to press. It’ll engage almost instantly. Continue pressing for as long as you need it engaged. The minute you take your foot off the lock pedal it’ll disengage.

 

[oakhilltop]

I did try it while going over some snow. It did go down a bit further as I started moving and it seemed like it was engaged. I was getting better traction. I expected the lever to travel further, but it did go down a little more.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Once on "good traction" ground ... With it engaged, you will notice it's difficult to turn, you can still turn but front tires will scuff along and it will take you twice as long to get turned as normal, as both rear tires are trying to pushing you straight ahead