Combines Off Topic 8030 differential lock

Well you should be able to tell if it is working in a hurry by tring to turn in a circle. If valve is staying in while stoped it will stay engaged while rolling. I have only saw a couple machines that ever lost diff lock. They had bad plates in differential. We have replaced them by pulling top rear end cover and right final drive. We were then able to split differential to get at plates. If my memory serves me right you will have to remove diff valve to free up pipes so you might make that your first project to be sure nothing is evidently wrong there. You might want to run some oil threw flow rater at remote couplers at idle to see if you lose any significant flow with diff lock engaged. This could point out a leak between valve and differential. This might be good to know prior to pulling final drive. I'd hate to steer you wrong but I'm afraid your going to have to get at the plates. Good luck

Thanks for the help Dan. I don't need to use the lock enough to justify the time and expense digging into the rear end. I was hoping it might be something simple like an o-ring. Thanks, Pete