Why FWD

[beenthere]

Is it probably good to remind readers not to engage the differential lock <font color=red>while[red/] the tires are spinning? Stop, lock differential, and go. Not sure that was what you really meant, but for those reading your message, I thought it would be good FYI.
Also, Bob, there is no reason to shy away from the SCV lock, as it only does what you mentioned - lock the control lever so it cannot be bumped if the FEL (or other attachments) are left in an UP position. Of course that is not a good practice, but sometimes it needs to be, and does happen.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Also, Bob, there is no reason to shy away from the SCV lock, as it only does what you mentioned - lock the control lever so it cannot be bumped if the FEL (or other attachments) are left in an UP position. Of course that is not a good practice, but sometimes it needs to be, and does happen. </font color=blue>

Why is it not a good practice? What is the downside to doing this? It occured to me after I posted that if I leave my front blade on, while, say, mowing, it might be good to not have the SCV enabled. OTOH, it might be good to, as another poster mentioned, allow lowering the front blade as an emergency braking mechanism. Stick that front blade into the ground about 6 inches, and I'll bet you stop real quick. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>mainly because the flimsy-looking little SCV Lock Lever is right next to the diff </font color=red>

OK, I fell dumb. What is a SCV, and why would you need to lock it?/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[beenthere]

Bob. You can do that if you wish. I wouldn't expect to get into any situation where I need to stop using the front blade. Nuff said from me.

 

[Egon]

Bob:
The bucket isn't lowered to stop the unit. When it hits the ground the back of the tractor is also back on the ground and the brakes will work. On a side slope when you drop the bucket it lowers the center of gravity and will also act as a brace to keep the greasy side down. This can happen if a wheel falls in a hole or you slip on mud etc.

Egon

 

[RobS]

Nice shot Buck, I thought that tractor looked a bit familiar. Good to hear you got out on your own /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MossRoad]

My IH2500b is about 8000lbs. It is 2WD and has industrial loader tires that are filled. It still gets stuck occasionally and I have to use the loader to push myself out backwards very easily. The thing that convinced me on FWD was when we had our land reforested. The forester arrived with a little ford tractor and I thought, no way is that thing going to be able to pull the planter through the soil up and down those hills. It was FWD and had no trouble at all. It went up and down slopes that my 2500b would have spun the tires on. I was convinced and now consider it mandatory in a small tractor.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...OK, I fell dumb. What is a SCV, and why would you need to lock it?/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif</font color=blue>

SCV = Selective Control Valve. It's the valve that is a big stick that can move in four directions. On my front blade, back lifts the blade, forward lowers it, right angles it right, and left angles it left. It has similar uses with a front end loader, etc.

My 4300 has a little lever called the SCV lock lever, or something similar. There are three positions. One is for use with a FEL, and gives it a "regenerative" function, whatever that is. The middle position is for all other front end attachments, which I assume my front blade falls into. And the third position locks the SCV completely, so moving the control stick does nothing.

Now you know as much about it as I do, which isn't saying much. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[s1120]

Thanks. Hay! I learned something today. Now I can grab a beer and sit in front of the tv and shut my brain off./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

Not to wax philosophical, but there is a simple answere to the question.

<font color=blue>It is!</font color=blue> /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry