Kubota L3200 4WD abuse on paved roads

[Runs With Scissors]

Why look for a "problem" that does not yet exist?

I would think that if your gears are excessively worn, their ain't a damn thing you can do about it now, so your going to need the axle rebuilt anyway when it fails......

So, to me at least, identifying/worrying about a "wear problem" that is not exhibiting any outward signs of mechanical failure is a lesson in futility.

Get new skins on it, and drive it until it actually breaks, then fix it.

 

[D2Cat]

Why look for a "problem" that does not yet exist?

I would think that if your gears are excessively worn, their ain't a damn thing you can do about it now, so your going to need the axle rebuilt anyway when it fails......

So, to me at least, identifying/worrying about a "wear problem" that is not exhibiting any outward signs of mechanical failure is a lesson in futility.

Get new skins on it, and drive it until it actually breaks, then fix it.

RWS, in future post please try to be less logical !!!

 

[unioncreek]

Asphalt tears up front tires of left in 4x4, period. It will also wear on the 4x4 components in the tractor if your on the asphalt. Doing a lot of turning is especially hard on a tractor if left in 4x4.

 

[Rosohatica]

Thank you all for the input! It’s true that I saw the tires before buying the tractor but didn’t fully understand the implications of the wear concerning 4WD use. I was willing to pay extra for a low-hour machine because I hoped it would last a lifetime with minimal servicing – mainly oil, filters, and maybe tires – and avoid any unexpected issues with more substantial components. Now, I realize that there’s a possibility some parts may have experienced wear, and while that’s a concern, I also appreciate that it may not be as serious as I initially feared.

Each of your insights has helped bring me peace of mind and perspective. I plan to follow @North Idaho Wolfman’s advice this weekend, and if the tractor passes the check, I’ll feel much more confident and ready to enjoy it fully.

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Rosohatica]

And I will post a result of the test here

 

[Rosohatica]

If it's not making any odd noise, and it works then don't worry about it.
It sounds like the tires took the hit for the 4wd use.

Simple inspection method:
With it not running put it in 4wd, lift one front tire off the ground.
You should be able to turn the tire a short distance and it should stop.
if you are able to turn the tire line 1/4 way around then you might have an excessive wear issue.

Ok, I did the test. I would say it passed it, huh?

Here are the results:

 

[TheOldHokie]

Ok, I did the test. I would say it passed it, huh?

Here are the results:

I am not surprised. Here is a picrure of the fronts on my 2021 L3901. It has 410 hours on it and is operated full time in 4WD. I am going to say 95% of that time was on grass, dirt, snd gravel with less than 5% on the asphalt and a lot of that in snow. In 4WD the fronts are always slipping by design and that simply "scrubs" tread off dirt or pavement. The good N ews is the f et onts are not terribly expensive. Two new fronts is going to set me back less than the tires on any of my cars or trucks.

Dan

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yep you are good to go, so don't worry about it and just get a new set of tires if you need more traction!

 

[JimDeL]

Ok, I did the test. I would say it passed it, huh?

Have you checked the toe-in? It still could've been the cause of the tire wear - especially if used on pavement a lot.

 

[Rosohatica]

Have you checked the toe-in? It still could've been the cause of the tire wear - especially if used on pavement a lot.

Hi, I just checked it. I actually have toe-out. Front is half an inch wider comparing to back. Is that significant?

 

[Rosohatica]

Yep you are good to go, so don't worry about it and just get a new set of tires if you need more traction!

Thanks once more.

 

[Rosohatica]

I

I am not surprised. Here is a picrure of the fronts on my 2021 L3901. It has 410 hours on it and is operated full time in 4WD. I am going to say 95% of that time was on grass, dirt, snd gravel with less than 5% on the asphalt and a lot of that in snow. In 4WD the fronts are always slipping by design and that simply "scrubs" tread off dirt or pavement. The good N ews is the f et onts are not terribly expensive. Two new fronts is going to set me back less than the tires on any of my cars or trucks.

Dan

View attachment 140942

Wow, shouldnt industrials be more resistent?

 

[JimDeL]

Hi, I just checked it. I actually have toe-out. Front is half an inch wider comparing to back. Is that significant?

What does the manual spec it at? It's usually a very slight toe-in.

 

[BBFarmer]

Drove mine this morning to the shop so i can change all the filters.

A lovely 9 mile run.

Pulled up this morning outside my bay, looked down and said, "Shit, forgot to kick her out of 4wd."

Oh well, atleast its friday.

 

[Rosohatica]

What does the manual spec it at? It's usually a very slight toe-in.

I just checked. It says it should be 4-8 mm toe-in. And I have 15 mm toe-out instead. By what I have read, toe-out wears down inside side of tires, yet in my case outside side is more worn out as you can see from attached images. Image 3752 is outside and 3755 is inside. Previous owner might have switched sides, who knows. OR, what about camber? I observed positive camber and it might outweight toe-out in context of which side of tires will wear more.

 

[JimDeL]

I just checked. It says it should be 4-8 mm toe-in. And I have 15 mm toe-out instead. By what I have read, toe-out wears down inside side of tires, yet in my case outside side is more worn out as you can see from attached images. Image 3752 is outside and 3755 is inside. Previous owner might have switched sides, who knows. OR, what about camber? I observed positive camber and it might outweight toe-out in context of which side of tires will wear more.

Yeah, excessive toe-out should wear more at the inside. As for switching sides, that's involve dismounting and remounting the tires on the rims - unlikely, but who knows.

Camber might do it, but there's no adjustment for that (that I'm aware of).

I'd adjust the toe-in to spec and run it. There's still plenty of meat left on both tires. See what happens in another couple hundred hours.