Diff Lock Usage
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177273
Printed Date: 30 Jul 2025 at 11:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Diff Lock Usage
Posted By: Tbone95
Subject: Diff Lock Usage
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 2:22pm
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Asked this question in another topic, but probably best if I ask a direct question. The topic cam up about failures of differentials, a pin coming out, low on oil, etc. Mack made a comment about not using diff lock while plowing or other heavy loads. I have a 7045 and the plow I use with it is a lot for the tractor. I didn't know a guy should use a diff lock while plowing! So, that is proper procedure then? Make your turn, line up, lower and engage?? Never knew that....always have used smaller stuff, never used diff lock unless trying to avoid getting stuck. |
Replies:
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 2:31pm
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I would think you could use difflock IF always going straight or very shallow turns(on slippery ground) . ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: BrianC
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 2:54pm
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Thanks for asking Tbone95, I was wondering the same thing. I only use my diff lock if I get excessive wheel spin on a tire. I plow with the Allis 160 and/or Ford 3000. They both have a diff lock pedal. I don't think it would be comfortable to have to depress it full time. So my question would be the same, should I use it all the time (while turning the soil)? But never in conjunction with the brakes. |
Posted By: TimCNY
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 3:03pm
My WD45's "diff lock" is the brake.  But yeah, also didn't know that. How about with plowing on curves? ------------- I need more than 200 characters for my "signature." I'd love to see that changed to 250! |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 3:07pm
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Don't turn with the difflock on and then hit the brake to release it. I've done it accidentally a few times and it makes a rather loud bang when you release the lock in a turn. Otherwise when going straight and you lease it there is no noise. Seems like the thing to do..... I think it may tell you that in the manual too, can't remember for sure. Brian, it's not like an IH (i'm not familiar with the 160 or Ford) where you have to keep your foot on the difflock pedal to keep it engaged. Once it's depressed you can remove your foot and it stays engaged and you have to touch a brake pedal to release it.
------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 3:10pm
------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
jaybmiller wrote:Posted By: BrianC
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 3:44pm
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The manual for the Allis-Chalmers 160 tractor has 2 notes about the differential lock: 1)Note:The differential lock pedal must be held in the depressed position during the time it is used. 2)Caution: Use the differential lock only when traveling in a straight line, and never engage it when one wheel is spinning excessively. To do so may result in damage to the differential. It tells you it is OK to depress on the go, if traction is good. But when already in poor traction spinning tires, stop with clutch, depress diff lock and let out clutch. Releasing pressure on the pedal will release the differential lock. The drive train of the 160 is a French built Renault. I believe the rear of the 6060 6080 was also foreign made (maybe Fiat?). I don't like to read the Ford manual- it is a single manual for 5 different models. I get annoyed and a headache. Is Kubota like that also? |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:03pm
What ALLIS models started offering the D/L feature ? I was surprised to read above about a 160 having it  . Was an XT series 3 offered with it, or the 200 series ?? Thanks
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Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:10pm
| My 200 does not have a dif lock. I wish it did. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:11pm
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I've been watching the 'mighty trains' series and it was said that ALL locos and cars that the wheels are 'locked' onto the axle. Guy was explaining about the wear. never really thought about it ,kinda explains the long ,gentle curves traintracks are. Using difflock is like have a 'straight axle', power is sent to both wheels no matter what the ground conditions are. I've heard ridingmower 'pullers' weld their diff gears. Now I gotta ask my brother about drag cars to see if they do the same or use a 'locker'. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: 190xt MN
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:14pm
| I think the 7000 series was the first ones series wide to use differential locks. |
Posted By: plummerscarin
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:16pm
| Drag cars for strip only or mostly strip use a spool. Axles are locked full time |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:21pm
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I’m aware to only use it straight driving. I put a dual on the on land side for plowing and duals both sides for discing, chisel plowing, field cultivating. You pretty much CAN’T turn with it on. Massey Ferguson 165, JD 2640, JD 2555 and the Allis 7045 are tractors I’ve driven 1000’s of hours that all had diff locks that stayed on, though on the Massey not very well. The Allis engages and disengages the sweetest of all. The Ford 6000 probably had it, but that friggin’ thing never worked long enough to to matter. Always just used them when slipping or better yet when coming up on an area where you know you will slip. Never thought of it in the way of forcing the two sides to work together. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 6:27pm
“Could “ isn’t the question, “Should” more like it, to prevent serious issues in the differential. |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 7:03pm
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T-Bone: I know for sure that the Edsel Farmer (6000) did not have a differential lock. The one on a 3000 will stay engaged as long as traction is not equal after stepping on the pedal, then will release itself after traction equalizes. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: DaveWisc.
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 8:19pm
| My 7030 had the diff lock |
Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 9:21pm
| On my 7030-50 I use diff-lock any time it is loaded going straight or long turns. MACK |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 11:03pm
X 2 8070 is main tillage tractor. Chisel plow/field cult. Once lined out I step on the lock. why have the differential "differentialing" under load? No need for gears to be creeping on shafts under load! As you approach the end ,you kick a brake pedal to dismiss the lock then lift,brake and spin around. Repeat. Been teaching grandson this fall to chisel. Addament about the lock.
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Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 11:23pm
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My 5020 has a diff lock. Did all of the 5xxx series have them? ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 12:29am
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Locking a tractor’s differential is all about REDUCING it’s drive train’s(rear-axle/trans/clutch)excessive wear during extended wheel slippage. Depending on many variables, most SHARED DRIVES (2 DRIVE WHEELS PER AXLE) self-propelled equipment’s drives allow each wheel/tire to “HUNT” for traction. For this reason, some newer 2WD combines(which rarely/if ever, have a locking differential floor button) may come equipped with a “limited slip” AXLE differential. So when the combine operator pushes the machine thru the mud, its limited slip differential automatically engages. You’ll know when it’s engaged because it won’t steer as easily til you EITHER neutralize it’s trans or tap one of its brakes. A common confusion about tractor differential locks is; IT IS NOT APPLIED to REMOVE ALL WHEEL SLIP. When a tractor is repeatedly pulling heavy loads for lengthy durations, some drive wheel slippage is recommended as a cushion for it’s drive train’s LONGEVITY. It important to note the OM’s recommended additional weight limits & adhere to it. |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 6:01am
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To me the way most differential locks work and how they are built they are not designed to be used for hours on end doing something like plowing,but should be used to get a tractor thru a short term situation where more temporary traction is needed. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 7:28am
"Edsel Farmer"!   That's a good one, and very fitting!!!The one you describe on the 3000 is basically the way my Massey 165 operated. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 7:33am
Interesting. And BOLD, and opinion the opposite of Mack and the Dr., and stated it anyway. 
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Posted By: TimCNY
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 8:10am
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My 6140 has a diff lock. Rarely used. For plowing, the WD45 is what I use but not much of that anymore... ------------- I need more than 200 characters for my "signature." I'd love to see that changed to 250! |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 8:48am
| On big ACs the lock is oil pressure squeezing clutch packs....how is that ever going to harm long term? |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 8:55am
That is different from the differential locks I have seen in some older tractors,they were mechanical.Had a John Deere mini compact that had pins that lined up with holes,sheared the pins off,got into the gears and busted the rear end housing.I've seen several of the smaller tractors where the diff lock broke out.My David Brown and Oliver 1365 tractors are mechanical engagement doesn't pay to be too rough with them.
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Posted By: nickia
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 6:13pm
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Gary 0ur compact did the same thing the 3 pins broke and it was caused by a operator applying it while the wheels were spinning. Our 7040 and 7080 we plow with ever year and the diff lock is on every round weather it needs it or not I also use it to plant with believe it or not my rows are straighter with it on then off both tractors are over 10,000 hrs each and no issues with the diff lock |
Posted By: DougG
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 7:39pm
| Seems the Ford 5600 and 6610 Ive run had that lock and it was gear engaged as you would hear it |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 6:46am
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On my older JD's we've had forever, engage the diff lock with wheels spinning. I mean, the way it works and feels, it doesn't really engage UNLESS a wheel is spinning more than the other. And it won't disengage until you either push in the clutch or the "urge" to spin stops. Strange. The Massey 165, we're going back several years now, but as I recall, you start to spin, push it down with your heel, that's just how dad taught me, not saying dad was perfect, but he was no dummy either. And that one sort of released itself when the load lightened or you could apply the left brake. This has been very interesting to read people's various experiences. So...Dad bought the Massey 165 brand new in 1968. Have had diff lock on the farm ever since. One JD had 9300 hours on it, the other somewhere over 10,000. We have never had a rear end problem on the farm. (I REALLY hope I don't live to regret that statement this year, I say, knocking on every piece of wood I can find!) On the Allis 7045, it really works sweet, easy engage, perfect disengage with the tap of a brake. I'm certain I HAVE disengaged it while trying to turn forgetting it was on, never notice any loud or unusual sounds. Not saying it's a good thing, not saying anyone was wrong, just my observations. |
Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 7:07am
Agree only time I use it is as a last resort before I give up and call myself stuck. If your spinning that much you need either MFWD or a articulated tractor. ------------- 8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760 |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 7:32am
| The only "bang" related to the release of the 7 & 8000 series diff lock is the diff lock pedal banging against the cab floor, especially when the cab mounts are old. |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 8:15am
------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |