Does 4010 have limited slip front?

shoalsgary · March 14, 2015

When I bought my brand new 2011 Mule this past weekend, the dealer told me that the differential lock locks both differentiias. I found this to be untrue when I got stuck in the creek bed behind my farm Tuesday, couldn't pull it out with my 4WD tractor, and had to hand winch it out with a Portapower. Is the front diff limited slip?

kenfain · March 15, 2015

I have an 05 3010 the front diff is limited slip. Here's how you can be sure. On dry, solid ground, shift into four wheel drive. When you turn the steering wheel all the way over, like you're making a u turn. If the turn is smooth, it's limited slip. In a vehicle that has a full locker, doing a u turn on solid ground will cause the vehicle to buck and jump. This is because the outside wheel makes more revolutions than the inside wheel. And the wheels will skip, as they struggle against each others traction.

Making a u turn on concrete, with a locker engaged can damage the vehicle, so I'd recommend grass. But I'd be surprised if it has a factory front locker. To my knowledge, none of the major manufacturers have this very useful feature.The back wheels though should have some sort of differential lock somewhere in the cab.

shoalsgary · March 16, 2015

I already know it's NOT a full locker (contrary to the salesman's claims). I need to know if it's limited slip or just an open differential.

kenfain · March 16, 2015

Limited slip, it will definitely spin both front wheels in mud.

shoalsgary · March 17, 2015

if onw wheel is in the air, it doesn't spin. but the one making contact does.

kenfain · March 27, 2015

Have to say, it doesn't fit with my understanding of what limited slip is. I know that my 05 mule has limited slip, and pulls decent in the mud. I can't see any advantages to having a four wheel drive that only pulls with one wheel in the front.

Personally, I'd talk to a different dealer, and put the matter to rest once and for all.