Keep it in 4WD!

[Polishammer]

So today used my loader to dump some garden stuff down the enbankement. Once I pulled up to the edge, the tractor kept on going. Hit the brakes and nothing! Once the tractor started to tip, I dropped the front loader and was able to stop.

All this because I forgot to put the tractor in 4WD and decided not to use the ballast. We all know, Dow hill in 2WD you virtually have no brakes.

Once I cleaned my shorts, I used my other tractor to pull baby Kubota out.***128515;

 

[Vidiot]

Did a very similar thing recently and couldn't agree more! I've had mine for a little over a year and got complacent about checking things. Ended up in 2WD with the loader on and no weight in back going down a hill; stopped at the very last second but a wild ride.
Lesson learned for sure!

 

[Firefighterontheside]

I kept my little L245 in 4wd all the time, but I’m inclined to put this 4200 in 2wd for some reason. I picked up a very large pine log and luckily I only went down a short hill, but I could feel it speed up as I went down. 4wd from now on!

 

[D2Cat]

Polishammer, glad you got out of it with only a laundry problem, but you must have figured the Kubota was dead. You brought the hearse to get it!

 

[sdk1968]

glad to hear no injuries to you or the tractor.


YES: my tractors stay in 4wd all the time.

 

[skeets]

YEAH !!!! what them guys said

 

[SRG]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

 

[Newlyme]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

Make sure there are a clean pair of "shorts" handy!

 

[rjcorazza]

There really should be front brakes on tractors and zero turns. Putting a third peddle between the left and right rear brake peddles, and a way to connect them sounds like it would work.
Most of us here have taken a similar ride... glad nothing bad happened.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Stmar]

So far (knock on wood) no such issues with the B2650, although I do tend to use 4WD quite a lot. But the 8Ns were a whole different story. Brakes? We don't need no stinking brakes. Those things were notorious for not stopping you when needed, luckily I had two so had one to pull the other out and sometimes had to use the F250 to pull both out, lol. When I went to buy my Kubota I was talking to the factory rep and told him what I had, the 8Ns, and he said "You will appreciate the brakes", didn't quite understand at the time but once I got on the Kubota and worked it a bit I understood. Also rear weight is mandatory, took my back blade off to do some fence work and had to put it in 4WD just to get across the pasture.

 

[hodge]

Glad that you learned, without it costing dearly! I would imagine that we've all been there.
Just a note- it can happen in 4WD, too.

 

[RCW]

Ironically, last weekend I did the same thing but it was a very short slide with a plate tamper hanging from the bucket.

I posted a picture in my "Patio" thread with a warning for those that might not realize the risk. Honestly, I didn't check 2/4WD first..... and I know better.

Glad no damage to you or your machine!

 

[Ramos]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

Correct ballasting.

 

[bucktail]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

A man's gotta know his limitations.

Load the tires and put something heavy on the 3 point.

 

[200mph]

Use the proper amount of rear ballast (ballast box) to keep the rear tires loaded when using a FEL. It will save wear and tear on 4x4 unit and help reduce the loading on the front axle, thereby helping prolong bearing life and reduce steering wear.

 

[flyidaho]

I am almost always on slopes, in the dirt or bush, but when on my concrete slab outside or in my shop, doing close tight manuvering hooking up a trailer or useing the forks, I put it in 2 wheel drive. Not because I am worried about "bearing wear" but because it steers easier and deosn't mark up the floor so much, making it also easier on the tires. Pretty much the same reasons I use 2 or 4 wheel drive in my pickup. Running it down the gravel road 1 1/2 miles like I did when I put in a new row of mailboxes for my tractorless (and clueless) neighbors, it was in 2 wheel. There's a reason Kubota provides the control to put it in either.

 

[kevinj]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

They prolly use proper ballast on the rear.

 

[Polishammer]

Funny thing is, it does not matter how long you have been operating your tractor, sooner or later crap like this will happen. It is just a matter of time.

I'm sure many of us use front loader without ballast for light things. All it takes is a little slope and a little moisture and you are going down. At that point you might as well just enjoy the ride and hope for the best

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

What about the guys that only have 2wd with a FEL, what do they do?

They keep up on the payments for the life insurance!

 

[Utopia Texas]

One of the items I like on my larger New Holland is that when you step on the brakes the tractor is instantly/electronically put in 4 wheel drive. My Kubota does not do this......