Construction and Operation

Construction And Operation

The LT230 consists of a helical-cut, constant mesh gear train with high and low speed ranges. A center differential (contained in the transfer gearbox) driven by the output gear provides full time 4WD by allowing the front and rear output shafts/flanges to automatically adjust their relative speeds to compensate for road wheel speed differences. A mechanical lock allows the operator to effectively eliminate the center differential under adverse conditions. Doing this provides a 50/50 power distribution front to rear.







The differential lock consists of a sliding operating sleeve and linkage. As the operator slides the lever forward the "lock" position, a spring loaded shift fork, pushes the operating sleeve over a set of dog teeth on the center diffs front output end. This then joins the front and rear outputs together and splits power equally front to rear.

Shifting into diff-lock can be done at any speed as long as the front and rear axles are moving at the same relative speed. NEVER shift into diff-lock if one or more wheels are spinning - this will damage the transfer gearbox.

Due to the fact that the diff- lock sleeve is moved by spring pressure there is usually some delay for engagement or disengagement. Any engagement delay is due to the sleeve and hub being "tooth to tooth" and will quickly resolve itself. Disengagement delay is caused by "axle windup" and may require that the vehicle be backed up short distance. Driving for extended periods on a non slippery surface in diff-lock will cause disengagement problems.

The diff-lock indicator lamp in the instrument cluster or console is only activated when the sleeve is in or out of diff-lock and is not triggered directly by the high/low lever itself.

The high/low ratios are selected by a lever which moves a shift fork. Just like in a manual transmission, the shift fork moves an operating sleeve which locks either the high or low output gear onto its shaft.

All LT230 units, regardless of transmission, are equipped with a neutral warning switch which sounds a buzzer if the shift lever has not been moved completely into either high or low range.