Tractor "school"

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,237
4,816
113
North East CT
As someone above mentioned, if the ground has been wet, then stay off the turf and give it a few days to dry out. Wet turf is like quicksand, you never know where it is, and it will grab you when you least expect it. My little BX23S doesn't like wet ground and it will slip and slide when it loses traction. Before I had lots of experience with my new tractor it started sliding in the backyard. I dropped the bucket, got off, and waited till the ground was dry and firm before I went back to retrieve it. My wife thought it strange where I parked it, and I never mentioned to her why it was there. No need to get her more worried about me on the tractor than she already is. Twenty years later, she still doesn't like the tractor depending on what I am doing. It all reverts to when we were building the home and I overturned a very large Minneapolis Moline tractor, loader, backhoe. It originally was a cemetery machine and it could dig 18' deep holes to bury caskets at that depth, next one was at 12' and then at 6'. It was the height of the hoe that kept the machine from rolling over more than it did. It also took a lot of effort to right it again.
 

Foxrunfarms

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota LX2610, 1951 Farmall M, 1967 John Deere 110 Rf, 2010 Arctic Cat 700
Apr 25, 2023
366
522
93
WI
You should not get razzed - no question is stupid or otherwise IF the answer is unknown.

Much like driving a car - we all learned, screwed up somewhere, and learned a better lesson. Those that did NOT learn are no longer with us!

One item I will say - if you have a loaded FEL - and you need to raise it - try NOT to move at all, moving with a high load really sets up for disaster.

IF going down hill - throw in 4wd - you now have brakes on a ALL 4 tires - rather than 2 !!! 'specially if in HST model.

We need to make a list of 50 things one should consider before or after turning the key.
This is the 4th or 5th time I read on here someone saying having the tractor in 4wd you now have front brakes. Why do people think that?
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,814
5,556
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
As someone above mentioned, if the ground has been wet, then stay off the turf and give it a few days to dry out. Wet turf is like quicksand, you never know where it is, and it will grab you when you least expect it. My little BX23S doesn't like wet ground and it will slip and slide when it loses traction. Before I had lots of experience with my new tractor it started sliding in the backyard. I dropped the bucket, got off, and waited till the ground was dry and firm before I went back to retrieve it. My wife thought it strange where I parked it, and I never mentioned to her why it was there. No need to get her more worried about me on the tractor than she already is. Twenty years later, she still doesn't like the tractor depending on what I am doing. It all reverts to when we were building the home and I overturned a very large Minneapolis Moline tractor, loader, backhoe. It originally was a cemetery machine and it could dig 18' deep holes to bury caskets at that depth, next one was at 12' and then at 6'. It was the height of the hoe that kept the machine from rolling over more than it did. It also took a lot of effort to right it again.
I've never heard of a triple decker cemetery! ;)
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,814
5,556
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
This is the 4th or 5th time I read on here someone saying having the tractor in 4wd you now have front brakes. Why do people think that?
It sure enough is a play on words since there are no drums, shoes, pad of any sort near those front tires!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,134
5,193
113
Chenango County, NY
I commend @Gaspasser for asking the question about tractor operation, and resources to help him.

Sadly, I only recall first-hand experience on the farm as a youngster, but I know many BOCES programs still provide similar training for school kids.

I have no idea about adult education for farm equipment operations in my area, and we are a very agrarian community…
 

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,053
1,002
113
Wisconsin
This is the 4th or 5th time I read on here someone saying having the tractor in 4wd you now have front brakes. Why do people think that?
Because you do. Through the driveline because in 4WD your front and rear axles are tied together. Braking the rear brakes transfers to the front because in 4WD it's all one connected unit. And pushing the rear brake peddles together applies braking to the front axle as well. Through the driveshaft.

There are no front wheel brakes. At each wheel. But in 4WD the driveline gives you front axle brakes.

Many vehicles, tractors and street vehicles, have braking thru the driveline. But no brakes at each wheel hub.

Examples are my Honda Rincon ATV which has a rear disc brake located at the driveshaft where it comes out of the transmission. Not at each wheel. And a military Humvee where the disc brakes are located at both sides of the differential, and not at each wheel.
 
Last edited:

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,814
5,556
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Because you do. Through the driveline because in 4WD your front and rear axles are tied together. And pushing the rear brake peddles together applies braking to the front axle as well. Through the driveshaft.

There are no front wheel brakes. At each wheel. But in 4WD the driveline gives you front axle brakes.

Many vehicles, tractors and street vehicles, have braking thru the driveline. But no brakes at each wheel hub.

Examples are my Honda Rincon ATV which has a rear disc brake located at the driveshaft where it comes out of the transmission. Not at each wheel. And a military Humvee where the disc brakes are located at both sides of the differential, and not at each wheel.
That is called rolling resistance. Because a vehicle slows down does not mean it has brakes on the front!
 
  • Dislike
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,237
4,816
113
North East CT
I've never heard of a triple decker cemetery! ;)
There aren't many of them, but the old Catholic cemeteries in the Northeast that were running out of room went to them in the 1950s. I don't know when they stopped doing the triples but I do know that there are a lot of doubles. Some of the cemeteries are allowing up to 4 Urns per plot, which isn't a bad deal for them since they are now charging $1500 just to open an Urn burial. Death is not inexpensive. Don't make your first ride in a hearse be your last.
 

Flintknapper

Well-known member
Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
That is called rolling resistance. Because a vehicle slows down does not mean it has brakes on the front!
Correct. There are no 'brake components' on the front axle of the tractor as has been clarified several times. The person posting that should have written braking EFFECT which can and does occur when in 4WD IF there is no center differential.

The braking effect would manifest as extra traction (whatever is available to the two front tires) whenever the rear axle assembly is slowed. Whether that be by engine braking or mechanically applied by the brakes.

To reiterate, yes there are no physical front brakes, but additional braking effect (at the front of the tractor) is 'possible' by selecting 4wd.
 
  • Like
  • Dislike
Reactions: 2 users

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,401
4,899
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: Brakes: No front brakes in 2WD. Yes front brakes in 4WD.

My BX23s does NOT have front brakes in either 2wd or 4wd. You might get a partial, minor effect of drag but certainly not the same as real brakes.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,358
1,413
113
Austin, Texas
The braking effect would manifest as extra traction (whatever is available to the two front tires) whenever the rear axle assembly is slowed. Whether that be by engine braking or mechanically applied by the brakes.
I am curious about the statement that this effect is applied to BOTH front tires.

I recall that really only one rear wheel and one front wheel is under power when using “4wd” due to open differential in both axles.

The rear wheels each have a physical brake so will each have ability to be slowed by applying the brakes. But is only one front wheel slowed down by the drive system brake effect? Or are BOTH front wheels seeing the breaking effect?

I have never had any type of 4WD so have no clue
 

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,053
1,002
113
Wisconsin
I am curious about the statement that this effect is applied to BOTH front tires.

I recall that really only one rear wheel and one front wheel is under power when using “4wd” due to open differential in both axles.

The rear wheels each have a physical brake so will each have ability to be slowed by applying the brakes. But is only one front wheel slowed down by the drive system brake effect? Or are BOTH front wheels seeing the breaking effect?

I have never had any type of 4WD so have no clue
A 4wd tractor IS 4 wheel drive. in a traction-loss situation on an axle with an open differential the tire with least traction will take most of the power. But not all.

You my see only one front and one rear wheel spinning in a stuck situation, but the wheels that are not spinning are still getting power. The spinning wheel is using most of the power.

I won't go into AWD with a center differential because our CUTS don't have AWD.

It works in braking in 4WD the exact same way as on powering the 4WD. Which is thru the driveline.

To say that you don't have really have front braking in 4WD is to say that you don't really have 4WD. Because the method for both is thru the same driveline.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

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
I am curious about the statement that this effect is applied to BOTH front tires.

I recall that really only one rear wheel and one front wheel is under power when using “4wd” due to open differential in both axles.

The rear wheels each have a physical brake so will each have ability to be slowed by applying the brakes. But is only one front wheel slowed down by the drive system brake effect? Or are BOTH front wheels seeing the breaking effect?

I have never had any type of 4WD so have no clue
Seems like the open diff upfront would limit the additional braking force to the lessor of either of the front tires rather than the summation, for “peak” additional braking force. Pretty good question.

It’s good that we share this type of information. There are many different levels of understanding on OTT or really anywhere and on occasion simplifying information shared could result in a misunderstanding. E.g. addition braking resistance is available in 4WD, but there are mechanically no front brakes on the tractors typically discussed hereon.

I have an ATV with selectable 4WD and the front and rear brakes are completely independent from one another (both Yamaha and Suzuki are like this on the big bore utility quads). As a result that ATV can do the same thing we’re talking about relative to only applying the front or only the rear brakes in 4WD. I find this very handy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,053
1,002
113
Wisconsin
A super fun and educational way to learn about 4WD, open and locked differentials, and driveline power and braking, is to get something like this.
This one has selectable axle lockers, which can be 'open diffs' or 'locked diffs'.
And yes, there are no brakes at each wheel, the only braking is done at the motor, thru the driveline.
I have a couple of these. I'll be putting a snow plow on one.
But, for the best learning, buy the Kit form which you have to build the axles and drivetrain.
Best of luck.

 

Flintknapper

Well-known member
Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
Seems like the open diff upfront would limit the additional braking force to the lessor of either of the front tires rather than the summation, for “peak” additional braking force. Pretty good question.
Correct again. An 'open' differential (front or rear) can/will 'bias' power to one side more than the other depending on circumstance. So 'Engine' Braking or braking through the drive train alone could exist more at any two tires. However....under just the right conditions all four tires could conceivably receive engine/drive train effect.

No different than transmitting and receiving the power when the the axles are being 'driven' (4wd, open diffs front and rear). Just that the opposite is happening.

The only True 4wd would be a set up where the front and rear differentials are receiving the same amount of power AND both differentials have the ability to be 'locked'. The result being all 4 wheels are driven vs. open diffs where it is 'possible' for any wheel to receive power and be driven (but also possible for power to bias to one side).

It is somewhat a misnomer to label tractors with open diffs "4wd" because in most cases only two of the wheels (at any given time) are actually receiving enough power to drive them. Though it is technically possible for all to be driven... it rarely happens. That is why we have locking devices/ability in the rear of most tractors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,053
1,002
113
Wisconsin
Correct again. An 'open' differential (front or rear) can/will 'bias' power to one side more than the other depending on circumstance. So 'Engine' Braking or braking through the drive train alone could exist more at any two tires. However....under just the right conditions all four tires could conceivably receive engine/drive train effect.

No different than transmitting and receiving the power when the the axles are being 'driven' (4wd, open diffs front and rear). Just that the opposite is happening.

The only True 4wd would be a set up where the front and rear differentials are receiving the same amount of power AND both differentials have the ability to be 'locked'. The result being all 4 wheels are driven vs. open diffs where it is 'possible' for any wheel to receive power and be driven (but also possible for power to bias to one side).

It is somewhat a misnomer to label tractors with open diffs "4wd" because in most cases only two of the wheels (at any given time) are actually receiving enough power to drive them. Though it is technically possible for all to be driven... it rarely happens. That is why we have locking devices/ability in the rear of most tractors.
The last paragraph is technically wrong on so many levels. But I don't care to get into a pissing match.

But I will say this:

There are misconceptions about 4WD with open diffs. Just because you can get 'stuck' spinning one wheel on each the front and rear axle. Does not mean that the non-spinning wheel is not getting power. It is. It does not mean that it's rare that all 4 wheels are driven. They are all driven. All given power. All the time.

Traction is the difference.

Be well.
 
Last edited:

jaxs

Well-known member

Equipment
B1750HST
Jun 22, 2023
734
522
93
Texas
I've never heard of a triple decker cemetery! ;)
The need comes up when old men only bought 2 plots but want to be buried with both wives and a girlfriend.
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: 1 user

rc51stierhoff

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,554
3,071
113
Ohio
The need comes up when the old man only bought 2 plots but wants to be buried with both wives and a girlfriend.
Oh my…I’ll have a 3rd tractor before I’d even think about a second wife or a girlfriend…unless they would be buying me the tractor…but even then I think the 3rd tractor would still be cheaper to pay for myself. 🥶. I’d definitely rather have a 3rd tractor than a second wife/girlfriend. 🥃