When to use, or not use, the diff lock?

[etpm]

I have a YM2310. Being a two wheel drive machine it is easier to lose traction. So when I need to, when I get stuck, I step on the differential lock so that both wheels are spinning. I will also use the diff lock when I am going through an area where it looks like I might get stuck. I never use it on pavement or high traction areas, just loose soils, muddy soils, and the like. Most of the time I only use it when going straight but will sometimes use the diff lock when turning, but only on really low traction areas. Am I using it correctly? Is it OK to use it when turning if the soil is loose?
Thanks,
Eric

 

[Yander]

Yep, Won't hurt it, might tear up the soil a bit but won't hurt it. Might also be a little harder to steer with Diff. lock when turning.

 

[oldnslo]

You probably know this but Do not engage the diff lock if only one wheel is spinning.

Typically with diff lock engaged you can’t turn.

 

[California]

And don't mash that lever. Think of it as a shift lever, nothing more. Forcing the lever won't help, it won't engage before the parts match up.

Nudge the lever down with one tire moving only *slightly* faster than the other.

 

[old and tired]

It's been a long time since driving a 2 wheel tractor, Doesn't hitting the split brake on the spinning tire shift power to the other wheel?

 

[oldnslo]

It's been a long time since driving a 2 wheel tractor, Doesn't hitting the split brake on the spinning tire shift power to the other wheel?

Yes it does but diff lock keeps both rear tires spinning evenly. I have used a brake to help get moving if one tire is on short area that is slick.

 

[bmaverick]

I have a YM2310. Being a two wheel drive machine it is easier to lose traction. So when I need to, when I get stuck, I step on the differential lock so that both wheels are spinning. I will also use the diff lock when I am going through an area where it looks like I might get stuck. I never use it on pavement or high traction areas, just loose soils, muddy soils, and the like. Most of the time I only use it when going straight but will sometimes use the diff lock when turning, but only on really low traction areas. Am I using it correctly? Is it OK to use it when turning if the soil is loose?
Thanks,
Eric

Eric,
When snow plowing with the blade in reverse, it's nearly 90% of the time used.
When turning gently, yes, when turning more or tight never.

Now, there is caution to be had. Should you be dragging a load behind you or even pulling up an old tree stump. Ensure the tractor is in low gear and use the diff lock. Never in a higher gear. Reason being, the front end will come upwards and flip over.

It takes a knack of getting the hang of the diff lock in certain instances. If you are uncertain or unease about it, take it slow while towing. If you are moving along with nothing in tow or pulling over deep mud, the use it. Yes, once you get the feel, the use becomes more obvious.

Creeper gear is another fun option on the machines too.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I only use it going straight. Usually in deep snow to keep moving. Never use it ever when turning. I have seen too many axles broken in all types of vehicles, including tractors.

 

[clemsonfor]

You won't turn or will have a very very hard time turning with the diff lock engaged. Maybe in very loose soil will it turn where the inside tire can just churn and the fronts get enough dig to turn the machine?

I use my difflock while pulling my disk when it buried deep and pulling hard. It allows me to keep speed up and not letting one tire spin out. I step off of it if I am going to turn as it will just keep pushing me forward even trying to turn basically. Cant say I have ever used it bushhogging because I usually will have traction on grass and I don't bushhog in the mud.

 

[seville009]

I had some wet spots in my field that would never dry up, so when brush hogging, I would step on the differential lock as I was coming up to it so that the rears were locked by the time I got into it.

 

[oosik]

I use the diffy lock when dealing with mud or snow. It, most usually, is the last word in traction before I totally loose forward momentum. I'm in 4WD and need that extra bit of traction to complete the job.

 

[careyo63]

Didn't own the Yanmar long but I was FM on the Ym2000 2wd. and sideways on a slight incline. Never cut it before so it was a first! Hit a hidden hole in the grass and I lost Tracton. I was stuck and knew it! I was moving slow in the seat it turning the Front wheels down hill Stepped on Diff. and it Locked right in and rolled down hill real easy. That was a lesson well learned. The way the 3pt on the FM is setup it locked up the lift arms so the Drive side L. rear wheel was only a couple inches off the ground but I knew all to well how bad this could get.

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[clemsonfor]

I had some wet spots in my field that would never dry up, so when brush hogging, I would step on the differential lock as I was coming up to it so that the rears were locked by the time I got into it.

Was it so wet that you couldn't just drive through it without the difflock?

 

[seville009]

Was it so wet that you couldn't just drive through it without the difflock?

Probably could have, but was just playing it safe.

 

[clemsonfor]

Probably could have, but was just playing it safe.

Only reason I ask is it take a alot to get even a 2wd tractor stuck and to be like that and bushhogging that are you would be almost borderline swamp.

 

[seville009]

Only reason I ask is it take a alot to get even a 2wd tractor stuck and to be like that and bushhogging that are you would be almost borderline swamp.

There was like a 30’ or so circle in one spot that was always wet; green thick grass grew over it. Seem to have ample water supply here, so there may be an underground source keeping it that wet.

I just figure it’s best to engage the locker for ten seconds than spend two hours getting unstuck. It’s there , so why not use it.

 

[careyo63]

I still have Org. Bridgestone always liked them. The lugs are still huge. Dry rotted and cracked so I relined them. Not the first complaint!! What they looked like When I bought the YM2000 and now. 900+ Tach Hrs. I put on them!!

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[California]

... it takes a lot to get even a 2wd tractor stuck ...

Maybe it's the front loader taking weight off the back tires but I've had several instances with the YM240 where I had to use the loader curl to inch the tractor out of 'temporarily inconvenienced', ie can't back out of a wet downslope, or climb out of a stump-hole that I had intended to compress. (Post with photo). Never had to abandon either tractor to wait for dryer weather, but almost.

 

[CliffordK]

I like to predict before it spins.

So I frequently hit the lock at the bottom of a wet steep hill.

 

[careyo63]

My profile Pic. just behind the Deere to the lower R. is super swampy for a few days if it rains much. The Bridgestone make it look like train tracks going through it if I'm not careful. I either have to push cut it or wait for it to dry. Only two places I have to use a push mower so I really can't complain.