Front Wheel drive? On 4x4 tractor

[KTeeter]

New owner of a Kubota L3400 here. What does front wheel drive do? My understanding is the 4x4 is always engaged, so when would it be beneficial to use front wheel drive? Thanks

 

[Russell King]

Try the operation manual at

Index of Kubotabooks/

see if that explains the operation well enough or if not come back and ask more questions

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It is not 4wd all the time, it's only 4wd when 4wd is engaged.
Like Russell said get the OPS manual, also download the WSM while your there.

 

[NCL4701]

1. As previously suggested, definitely read the OM cover to cover at least a couple of times.

2. “Front wheel drive” isn’t front wheel drive as defined on a front wheel drive car. The rear wheels ALWAYS drive. Whether the front wheels are engaged or not is selectable. Same as a 4WD pickup.

At least in some areas these type selectable 4WD tractors are referred to as “front wheel drive” or “front wheel assist” to differentiate them from articulated tractors with same size wheels front and back which all drive all the time which are called “four wheel drive”. That difference in semantics from the road vehicle world to tractor world can be a bit misleading.

Some of the reasons for 2WD v 4WD for a tractor are same as they are for a truck or Jeep. 2WD: pavement, not tearing up grass when turning, high speed driving. 4WD: maximum traction needed for soft ground, steep terrain, etc.

Some additional considerations for engaging front wheels on a tractor.

1. The tractor has rear brakes but no front brakes. If you’re going downhill with a load in the loader, front brakes are somewhere between helpful and necessary. Having it in 4WD ties the front and back wheels together so when you brake the back wheels, that braking force is transmitted through the transmission to the front wheels, effectively giving you front brakes. So if you’re going downhill with a load in the bucket 4WD is a good thing.

2. Any time you have a heavy load in the loader, it decreases rear wheel traction. It can be difficult backing up even a slight incline in 2WD.

Using grapple or bucket, mine is in 4WD about 99% of the time. Mowing relatively flat areas or roading it; 2WD. Mowing steep rough areas, skidding logs, anything requiring heavy pulling; 4WD.

 

[John T]

Wow wee.....

 

[Orange man hero]

I know that when I wear a heavy winter longer coat sometimes when I climb down off the tractor the rear of the coat catches on the 4x4 lever and pulls it out of gear and I don't notice it. Then when I am plowing/moving snow with the loader I notice the tractor is not preforming that good. It has taken me a while sometimes to figure out why. The proof is in the pudding.
I thought when re-reading the other day the owners manual, it said 4x4 is not meant for hilly ground? Dangerous?

 

[19thSF]

New owner of a Kubota L3400 here. What does front wheel drive do? My understanding is the 4x4 is always engaged, so when would it be beneficial to use front wheel drive? Thanks
View attachment 93587

Hello KTeeter, welcome to the forum. Four wheel drive is great when appropriate to use it. I have copied some language from a previous post that may help explain what is going on when you engage four wheel drive.

Good luck to you!

Bob

"This may be useful information. When in 4WD the front wheels rotate at a speed that causes the front tires to cover slightly more ground than is covered by the rear tires. This is done purposely so that you do not lose steerage. This means that the front tires are very slightly pulling the rear tires. If the opposite were true, and the rear tires were "pushing" the fronts, you would have a great deal of difficulty steering. This is one of the reasons not to use 4WD unless you need it, and try to not use 4WD on solid surfaces that are not slippery or loose, because over the course of time the front tires will wear out a lot faster. The is also the reason that surfaces seem to be "torn up" when in 4WD. The front tires are to some degree "clawing" at the surface".

 

[nbryan]

it said 4x4 is not meant for hilly ground? Dangerous?

I'd say the opposite, especially if there's a heavy load in the FEL being carted down a hill. Without the front wheels engaged, you'll be changing your underwear and maybe pants too when the rear wheels lose traction going down a hill and with them your brakes. With the front free spinning the only way to stop is to lower the load to the ground. Fast.

Then go change your pants.

 

[KTeeter]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I read the manual but I had the false assumption that tractor was always in 4x4 so couldn't figure out how the front wheel assist would interact with the 4x4. Makes a whole lot more sense that 4x4 is not always engaged and the way to do so is by the front wheel assist lever.
Good tips about breaking going down a hill!
Thanks so much!

 

[Orange man hero]

I'd say the opposite, especially if there's a heavy load in the FEL being carted down a hill. Without the front wheels engaged, you'll be changing your underwear and maybe pants too when the rear wheels lose traction going down a hill and with them your brakes. With the front free spinning the only way to stop is to lower the load to the ground. Fast.

Then go change your pants.

Since most tractors do not have 4x4, do they change their pants often?

 

[jimh406]

Since most tractors do not have 4x4, do they change their pants often?

I don't think that's correct anymore. I bet most have 4x4.

I can't say how often they change their pants.

 

[KTeeter]

Wow wee.....

John T, if this was meant to be condescending it's not necessary. I led with the fact that I am a new owner, you don't know how much experience I have, or how informed I may be, so be gracious. Fortunately there were many kind enough to just give me a direct answer.

 

[Orange man hero]

I don't think that's correct anymore. I bet most have 4x4.

I can't say how often they change their pants.

Millions more old 2x2 out there than new 4x4.

 

[jimh406]

Millions more old 2x2 out there than new 4x4.

Maybe if we are counting non running ones, but I'm not so sure.

4x4s were first introduced in 1912. https://www.agriculture.com/machine...mpanies-for-2023-startup-collaborator-program

A couple of more sites ...

4wd tractor history aboutbtp

4WD Tractors

20160721 3692, video I've seen many people refer to the style of tractor pioneered by Steiger as a 4WD. But I'm going to call that style...

industrialscenery.blogspot.com

If we count subcompacts and compacts, almost all are 4x4 for the past few years. If anyone has a good source for the data, that would be cool. Most of what I'm finding is forward looking.

 

[Orange man hero]

Maybe if we are counting non running ones, but I'm not so sure.

4x4s were first introduced in 1912. https://www.agriculture.com/machine...mpanies-for-2023-startup-collaborator-program

A couple of more sites ...

4wd tractor history aboutbtp

4WD Tractors

20160721 3692, video I've seen many people refer to the style of tractor pioneered by Steiger as a 4WD. But I'm going to call that style...

industrialscenery.blogspot.com

If we count subcompacts and compacts, almost all are 4x4 for the past few years. If anyone has a good source for the data, that would be cool. Most of what I'm finding is forward looking.

Don't you ever watch tractor auctions on UTUBE? What would be interesting would be a low profile 4x4 compact. I always feel uneasy on rough hilly ground on mine.

 

[Orange man hero]

Don't you ever watch tractor auctions on UTUBE? What would be interesting would be a low profile 4x4 compact. I always feel uneasy on rough hilly ground on mine.

Also small farming community tractor parades. Seldom see 4x4 there.

 

[jimh406]

Also small farming community tractor parades. Seldom see 4x4 there.

Maybe because the 4x4s are out working ... who knows. No, I don't watch YouTube auctions.