B7510 Differential Lock - Operation?

[NoJacketRequired]

Just brought our "new to us" B7510HSD home tonight. Somewhere in the back of my consciousness there's a little bell going off that's telling me that Kubota differential locks are different than those found on other tractors. I suspect I picked up that tidbit of info in one of the helpful posts on this forum.

Before I go breaking a perfectly good tractor, and since I don't have an operator's manual, how is the diff lock supposed to be engaged on this tractor? While stationary? While moving? In either 2WD or 4WD?

Thanks for your help.

 

[BravoXray]

Congrats on the new tractor! I'm not familiar with that model, however I suspect they all operate similarly. Make sure everything is stopped, or you'll damage the mechanism. Press down and hold the differential lock pedal. Move the machine forward or back to get to better ground. Come to a complete stop, then release the lock pedal. I don't think that two or four wheel drive makes any difference, but I find that if I need to lock up the back axle then I am likely already in four by four. I only seem to need it in snow or ice when I have the backhoe off.

Jerry

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Thanks for confirming the "engage while stopped" methodology, Jerry!

(I'm still pinching myself - I can't believe I have a tractor that was manufactured in this century. Until now, all of my equipment has been "vintage".)

 

[rjcorazza]

On my last 3 Kubotas the differential lock could be operated while the tractor is moving. The kicker is that one wheel can't be spinning, with the other stopped. In reality the only time one would use the differential lock while moving is if the operator had advance warning that locking the rear will be required, otherwise after spinning one wheel you would stop the tractor before locking it up.
I have always disliked where they put the differential lock mechanism. I really wrenched my back on the one on a B8200 years ago.