Changing to 4 wheel drive

rwr_home

New member

Equipment
MX6000
Aug 4, 2023
3
1
3
78643
I have a new MX6000 but finding it hard to switch in and out of 4 wheel drive. Am I missing something that needs to be done for this to work?
 

Bmyers

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Grand L3560 with LA805 loader, EA 55" Wicked Grapple, SBX72 BB, LP 1272 mower
May 27, 2019
3,293
3,849
113
Southern Illinois
IF mine seems tight, I will just turn the wheel a little and it drops right on in.
 

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,153
735
113
Oregon
If you’re having trouble shifting while stationary, try moving slowly and then letting off the treadle (HST, I’m presuming), and then make the shift in to/out of 4WD. Best to do it in a non hard surface and not turning. That’s how I do it when my tractors (which are HST) bind up in 4WD.

I’m sure we’ll hear quite a few other thoughts on the matter.
 

Elliott in GA

Well-known member

Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
743
725
93
North Georgia
Just back up slightly (inches), and it will drop in or out with no resistance.
 
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rc51stierhoff

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,554
3,071
113
Ohio
Mine doesn’t like shifting under load. Also mine seems be happier if ever so slight wheel spin…but not under load.
 

RMS

Well-known member

Equipment
LX2610HSDC, RCR1260, PFL1242, LX2963, RB1684, WC-68,Flail Mower,Grapple, Z421
Sep 26, 2021
220
409
63
Buckfield Maine
Taking some weight off of the front axle using the loader usually helps me to switch fro 2 to 4w.
 
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ve9aa

Well-known member

Equipment
TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
1,202
982
113
NB, Canada
Are you trying to shift while boogeying right along, or while standing still?

For mine (different machine), if it doesn't wanna shift, I move ever-so-slightly forward or backwards (1-2") and it'll go right in. Gravel or grass, level surface, no load/pressure on machine.,
 

aaluck

Well-known member

Equipment
L4400HST, Bush Hog 276, RDTH60, Speeco PHD, etc
Oct 9, 2019
946
771
93
Snowdoun, AL
Mine is difficult getting out of 4WD more so than in. I do like most above, just move slightly in one direction or the other and it seems to pop in. Although I would not describe what I go through as "dropping in"...its more like manhandling in.
 

Jasonized

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, box scraper, grapple, pallet forks, tree ripper, lane shark 3
May 16, 2023
153
42
28
California coast
Going into 4wd is not that hard for me, like most people said, just rock a little bit. But getting out is a whole different story…. To get out, I have to turn the front all the way to the right (more consistent than the left), pull against the stops, and it drops right out.

Not exactly the friendliest design…
 
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6869704x4

Well-known member

Equipment
L45TLB, 49 8N, 57 641, RTV-X1120D, Z422
Jun 29, 2011
323
422
63
SE, NM
Tire pressures all good? According to the owners manual. People with used tractors, are your tires stock size?
 

Jasonized

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, box scraper, grapple, pallet forks, tree ripper, lane shark 3
May 16, 2023
153
42
28
California coast
Tire pressures all good? According to the owners manual. People with used tractors, are your tires stock size?
Mine had 42 hours on it now…. Stock everything. Had the shift out of 4wd from day one…
 

hoobie

New member

Equipment
mx5100
Aug 11, 2020
14
6
3
canada
My mx5100 is hard to shift out from the brand new get go. Usually have to lift the front wheels with the FEL. Hate to force it.
 

Jasonized

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, box scraper, grapple, pallet forks, tree ripper, lane shark 3
May 16, 2023
153
42
28
California coast
My mx5100 is hard to shift out from the brand new get go. Usually have to lift the front wheels with the FEL. Hate to force it.
Try doing what I do for it…. stop, crank the steering all the way to the right stop, pull against it a bit, then push down on the 4wd control.. drops out every time..

I asked the dealer about it, and got told to just try rocking, turning the wheel, etc. So my guess is they made some basic design change that causes it…
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
I have an MX6000 as well, and 4x4 is not hard to engage at all. Its getting back into 2WD that is more difficult. You can't have a load on the tractor (needs to sit pretty flat) and then turn the wheel all the way to the left or right. For me, the left works better. Make your shift out of 4x4 with the wheel turned all the way.

Frankly, the 4x4 lever should be in a more accessible place, should operate more smoothly, and there should absolutely be a warning light on the dash showing you 4x4 is engaged. My Grand L could tell you if your high beams were on with a blue indicator in the instrument cluster, but couldn't tell you if you were in 4x4 or not. Very annoying!
 

UnEasyRider

Active member

Equipment
L3302 LA 526 loader, Box Scraper, Grappler, Forks, Rotary mower, Big Tool Rack.
Apr 14, 2023
136
68
28
Florida
Why on the topic of 4WD my newbe question is when do I generally use it??? I would assume when using the FEL or the grappler. Thanks in advance!
 

Jasonized

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, box scraper, grapple, pallet forks, tree ripper, lane shark 3
May 16, 2023
153
42
28
California coast
Pretty much how I view it…. When my wheels spin, I first try locking the hub. It’s fast, easy, right by my boot. If that doesn’t work, I switch to 4wd, and if that doesn’t work, I lock hubs again.
If it still is stuck (hasn’t happened), I’ll do something else!
 

UnEasyRider

Active member

Equipment
L3302 LA 526 loader, Box Scraper, Grappler, Forks, Rotary mower, Big Tool Rack.
Apr 14, 2023
136
68
28
Florida
Hasn't spun yet while grappling. Might with the loader but haven't used it yet to know. Rear tires are filled too so thats helping.