Leaving kubota L3302DT in four wheel drive

[rkh Kubota]

I'm only using my new Kubota for 800' driveway for driveway maintenance and snow removal and would it be alright to leave in four wheel drive?

 

[85Hokie]

AS long as the surface you are on has a bit of "slip" to it - leave it in 4wd.

I have 4 kubotas - they all stay in 4 wheel drive ......... UNLESS I am going to be on a hard surface - asphalt or concrete.

 

[chim]

I'm in a different camp on that. Mine stay in 2WD unless more traction.

There is no 100% consensus on extra wear or damage from keeping the tractor in 4WD.

It would be difficult to argue that NOT keeping it in 4WD when not necessary can hurt it.

I can feel and hear some additional load when 4WD is engaged. True for both current tractors and a couple previous Kubotas.

 

[85Hokie]

I'm in a different camp on that. Mine stay in 2WD unless more traction.

There is no 100% consensus on extra wear or damage from keeping the tractor in 4WD.

It would be difficult to argue that NOT keeping it in 4WD when not necessary can hurt it.

I can feel and hear some additional load when 4WD is engaged. True for both current tractors and a couple previous Kubotas.

I can agree with this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I leave mine in 4wd due to the somewhat steep hills I have to fight when cutting grass! All with HST too.

I once went down the hill in 2wd cutting(forgot to place it back in) - just went enough to have to check my pants AFTER I stopped........sliding!!!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

@85Hokie : I've some steep spots also, if it's wet and slippery it requires 4WD & diff lock on the way up, coming down is a clencher.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm on sand and hills, and leave mine in 4wd all the time for traction and braking.

 

[drygulch]

Mine's in 4wd unless I've noticed I'm destroying the "lawn" around the abode. Surely 2wd is less impactful, but I personally never get far without needing to engage 4wd...where it stays until the next "lawn" incident...

 

[TheOldHokie]

I'm only using my new Kubota for 800' driveway for driveway maintenance and snow removal and would it be alright to leave in four wheel drive?

My opinion is its made to run in 4WD for maximum traction and braking. In 30 years the only negative I have observed is accelerated wear on the front tires and that seems to be more pronounced on the new L3901 for some reason. They are down to 20% in just 4 years....

If you are on a dry paved surface for any length of time switching to 2WD undoubtedly reduces tire wear and in that case I do switch. Otherwise mine stays in 4WD including short trips up and down my paved driveway.

Dan

 

[Grandad4]

I'm only using my new Kubota for 800' driveway for driveway maintenance and snow removal and would it be alright to leave in four wheel drive?

Since you mention "driveway maintenance", can we assume it's an unpaved drive (i.e. gravel, dirt, etc.)? If so, keep it in 4wd or not as you choose. It shouldn't make much difference to the tractor since the looser surface will have a bit of "slippage". On a paved, dry surface, use 2wd.

Just FYI, I found that the more the 4wd shifter was used, the easier it worked. If you seldom use it, it will remain tight for a longer time.

 

[rkh Kubota]

800' driveway is gravel, my private driveway is blacktop(2000 square ft)

 

[Henro]

With very few flat surfaces I also keep both tractors in 4WD all the time. No paved surfaces here except the main road that I am never on...

 

[DanDavis]

Once I go 4WD I never go back..There is no other problem except increasing fuel consumption.