Wumpus Hunter1
New member
Howdy all.
I just got a new Defender 6x6 XT. It's intended for farm use, and the long bed and extra wheels were key features. It doesn't have doors or a windshield, but it does have the roof, and the tilt bed and flat bed options were icing on the cake.
But I have a question that I have yet to get an answer to. First, be aware that this is my first side-by-side, so I have nothing to compare it to. All of this might be totally normal for all I know. That's why I'm posting here -- hopefully those with experience can confirm whether it is or not.
I have it in normal mode (not work and not eco), in 2x4 drive mode. When I drive it, it kinda seems like driving with the parking brake on. It seems like it takes more gas and RPMs to get it going than it should. At low speed, especially in reverse, it's a bit jerky. And when I park it, even after a short drive, it smells to me like hot brakes. The smell doesn't seem to be coming from any particular wheel, though. And just in case anyone asks, no, the brake lock is not on.
I talked to the dealer about it, and he said the hot smell is normal as it burns off all the assembly oils and coatings and whatnot during break in, and that the two rear drives "just feels different". And I actually expected that. But the smell combined with the feel of rolling resistance makes me wonder. I've accidentally driven the tractor with the brake on before, or pulled a trailer with the brakes on, and it feels kinda like that. Just seems harder to roll than it should be.
I did try putting it in neutral and letting it roll down a hill, and it does. I also tried putting it in neutral on flat ground and pushing it, and I can push it, though it's quite a lot heavier than I would have thought (similar effort to push it vs pushing my pickup).
If engine speed vs travel speed matters, it runs about 10 mph at 3500 RPM. Like I said I have no idea whether that's about right or not. (And yes, the seatbelt is fastened.)
Thoughts?
I just got a new Defender 6x6 XT. It's intended for farm use, and the long bed and extra wheels were key features. It doesn't have doors or a windshield, but it does have the roof, and the tilt bed and flat bed options were icing on the cake.
But I have a question that I have yet to get an answer to. First, be aware that this is my first side-by-side, so I have nothing to compare it to. All of this might be totally normal for all I know. That's why I'm posting here -- hopefully those with experience can confirm whether it is or not.
I have it in normal mode (not work and not eco), in 2x4 drive mode. When I drive it, it kinda seems like driving with the parking brake on. It seems like it takes more gas and RPMs to get it going than it should. At low speed, especially in reverse, it's a bit jerky. And when I park it, even after a short drive, it smells to me like hot brakes. The smell doesn't seem to be coming from any particular wheel, though. And just in case anyone asks, no, the brake lock is not on.
I talked to the dealer about it, and he said the hot smell is normal as it burns off all the assembly oils and coatings and whatnot during break in, and that the two rear drives "just feels different". And I actually expected that. But the smell combined with the feel of rolling resistance makes me wonder. I've accidentally driven the tractor with the brake on before, or pulled a trailer with the brakes on, and it feels kinda like that. Just seems harder to roll than it should be.
I did try putting it in neutral and letting it roll down a hill, and it does. I also tried putting it in neutral on flat ground and pushing it, and I can push it, though it's quite a lot heavier than I would have thought (similar effort to push it vs pushing my pickup).
If engine speed vs travel speed matters, it runs about 10 mph at 3500 RPM. Like I said I have no idea whether that's about right or not. (And yes, the seatbelt is fastened.)
Thoughts?
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