L3800HST Front Drive Wheel Question

[Clocknwatch]

I have trails on my property with shallow (12-18") drainage ditches on both sides. In 4x4 with the tractor moving forward with the left side wheels lower (in the ditch) than the right side wheels, the right front drives while the left front is disengaged. If I go down the trails with the right wheels in the ditch, the left front drives and the lower right is disengaged. This is my first Kubota, so I'm not sure if this is a problem or normal.
Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The front drive on this model is not Posi (both tires locked together by clutches), therefor if one tire has less resistance than the other it will spin.
It does not mean that it's not driving both tires, it is, it's just sending more power to the tire with less resistance.

 

[Clocknwatch]

The front drive on this model is not Posi (both tires locked together by clutches), therefor if one tire has less resistance than the other it will spin.
It does not mean that it's not driving both tires, it is, it's just sending more power to the tire with less resistance.

Thank you very much for the information. It does appear that zero power is going to the lower front wheel consistently, as in not turning at all while the upper did. I had the same problem last winter when stuck in soft mushy snow. Chained both front wheels, but still zero rotation on the lower front wheel. When on comparatively level surfaces, both front wheels are powered.

 

[Tooljunkie]

When wheels are on an even surface,equal power gies to both wheels. If they were locked together the machine would not want to turn. There are some locking front ends, will get you out of a nasty spot, could also get you deeper.

 

[Clocknwatch]

When wheels are on an even surface,equal power gies to both wheels. If they were locked together the machine would not want to turn. There are some locking front ends, will get you out of a nasty spot, could also get you deeper.

Thank you for the reply. I can see your point where a locking front differential might not always be a good thing...

 

[Bluegill]

It's called a open differential, most tractors, trucks and cars are set up this way front & back. Exception would be if the vehicle is equipped with posi track or locker in the rear. Some rigs have a locking front diff, but it's rare.

 

[Clocknwatch]

It's called a open differential, most tractors, trucks and cars are set up this way front & back. Exception would be if the vehicle is equipped with posi track or locker in the rear. Some rigs have a locking front diff, but it's rare.

Thank you for the reply. Good to know the tractor is operating as it should!