Posted by jdemaris on August 25, 2010 at 08:33:32 from (72.171.0.146):
In Reply to: Re: 4wd truck vs. 2wd posted by chevytaHOE5674 on August 25, 2010 at 07:16:51:
The idea of just one wheel giving power on each axle with an open-differential is a fallacy. On one axle, just because one wheel spins, that does not mean the other wheel isn't getting any driving force at all. In most cases, it gets some. Many bulldozers work off differential drive, and do pretty well. Case, Cletrac, Terratrac, etc.
There are times when having a locking differential offers advantage, and other times when it creates a hazard.
I've driven in some of the worse conditions anybody's likely to find in ice and snow. That when I was a road mechanic for several Deere dealers. still encounter it every winter where I live. And, we have many new trucks go off our road every winter. I've had to pull many out of the ditches. I've yet to see any great advantage, overall, with any sort of locking differential . . . unless the operator has full control over it.
If I have to climb a steep icy road, that last thing I want to have is a locking differential that keeps spinning the wheel with the most traction while I'm trying to climb the hill. It will sometimes throw you off the road. With an open differential, the wheel with the most traction won't spin, and therefore keeps you anchored to the road. Like I said, in some conditions. I live on a steep mountain road that never gets sanded, and rarely gets plowed in the winter. Driving a 4WD truck up here with locking differentials is asking for trouble. You'd walk off the road sideways as you tried to climb. With an open-differential truck, no problem. Even if you couldn't make it up in certain conditions, you didn't have to worry about going off sideways.
What I'd like to see is an operator controlled differential. Like Deere uses in log skidders. Or - like some autos have, called "traction control" or something close. Differential action is controlled by brake application. In a cruder sense, like a farm tractor has with separate wheel brake pedals.
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