#3 is actually kind of an interesting illustration. A front wheel drive system acting like differential action trying to get to the same torque on each side rather than the same RPM. This is why one sides spins out on a regular 2 wheel drive pickup when it ends up in the mud. Some of the higher end TRD Pro Toyotas have differential lockers in front and rear. If that car theoretically had a front diff locker turned on the 2 front wheels would have stayed at the same RPM rather than the same torque and that would not have happened.
In the 60’s, General Motors called it ”Positraction.” It was a clutch in the differential that kept both rear wheels spinning together until the breakaway torque of the clutch was exceeded. Those soon turned into a regular differential as the clutch wore.
Locking front diffs are rare because if you put a locking diff on the front axle the steering will be ruined, especially on pavement. When turning the inside front wheel is travelling a much shorter distance than the outside front wheel, a locked diff would mean that one or both tires would have to slip which could cause a skid at high speed. My Range Rover and GL550 have locking rear and center diffs with open front diffs and both owner's manuals state that diff locking should only be selected on loose surfaces. On the GL if I leave the diff selector in the locked position it will automatically unlock at 20mph for safer handling. Most FWD cars sold today have an electronic traction control system that will apply the brake to prevent a front wheel from spinning thus forcing the wheel with grip to rotate. The car in #3 obviously lacks this, as did my ex's 2006 Hyundai, it was a PITA to drive on icy roads. Al_in_Ottawa
You sound like you think locking differentials are something new or unique to Toyota. #3 justs shows how an open differential, the most common and cheapest type, operates. All the torque goes to the wheel that spins the fastest, ie, has the least resistance. Locking differentials have been around since the 1930s. There are around a dozen types, mostly using a mechanical speed or torque sensing clutch. Electronic lockers were developed in the 80s.
#5 I will never have that problem. However, a pack of smokes would be a drag. I was always in the woods so bought my smokes in a box. Ran down streams or fished them out of lakes on few occasion and they were dry.
On number one, I used to work for a landscaper who tore down trees like that all the time. You send someone up in the tree, and chop the branches down a little bit at a time. Rather than chop the whole tree down over a bunch of electric wires.
Correct me if I'm wrong... #1 Looks like he was preparing to cordon off the area so he could cut down the tree as Anon suggested. The fact that he has a safety cone in his hands and not a chainsaw, trees in the background swaying in the wind; guessing that the tree came down on its own, just a little earlier than planned.
#1 Don't know if this has ever happened to you. I always liked being in the woods on a calm day and suddenly see a tree fall. All those years that tree had been growing and I was there to see it in it's final moment. No one else on the planet witnessed it but me. Kind of a spiritual thing.
#3 is actually kind of an interesting illustration. A front wheel drive system acting like differential action trying to get to the same torque on each side rather than the same RPM. This is why one sides spins out on a regular 2 wheel drive pickup when it ends up in the mud. Some of the higher end TRD Pro Toyotas have differential lockers in front and rear. If that car theoretically had a front diff locker turned on the 2 front wheels would have stayed at the same RPM rather than the same torque and that would not have happened.
ReplyDeleteSilly me. I just thought the wheel yanked the rug out...
DeleteIn the 60’s, General Motors called it ”Positraction.” It was a clutch in the differential that kept both rear wheels spinning together until the breakaway torque of the clutch was exceeded. Those soon turned into a regular differential as the clutch wore.
DeleteLocking front diffs are rare because if you put a locking diff on the front axle the steering will be ruined, especially on pavement. When turning the inside front wheel is travelling a much shorter distance than the outside front wheel, a locked diff would mean that one or both tires would have to slip which could cause a skid at high speed. My Range Rover and GL550 have locking rear and center diffs with open front diffs and both owner's manuals state that diff locking should only be selected on loose surfaces. On the GL if I leave the diff selector in the locked position it will automatically unlock at 20mph for safer handling.
DeleteMost FWD cars sold today have an electronic traction control system that will apply the brake to prevent a front wheel from spinning thus forcing the wheel with grip to rotate. The car in #3 obviously lacks this, as did my ex's 2006 Hyundai, it was a PITA to drive on icy roads.
Al_in_Ottawa
Thanks for the explanation Miss Tomei!
DeleteI know front diff locks are rare and not a very good idea but I've seen em.
DeleteYou sound like you think locking differentials are something new or unique to Toyota.
Delete#3 justs shows how an open differential, the most common and cheapest type, operates. All the torque goes to the wheel that spins the fastest, ie, has the least resistance.
Locking differentials have been around since the 1930s. There are around a dozen types, mostly using a mechanical speed or torque sensing clutch. Electronic lockers were developed in the 80s.
#2: Would be going up for adoption.
ReplyDelete#9 - I love the guy in back. He's like, not again...
ReplyDeleteI was thinkin the exact same thing....his expression is total disgust :):):)
DeleteNot seeing what happened in #5.
ReplyDeleteHe lost his phone out of his pocket.
Delete#3 is more about coefficient of friction than the type of wheel driver involved.
ReplyDelete#5 I will never have that problem. However, a pack of smokes would be a drag. I was always in the woods so bought my smokes in a box. Ran down streams or fished them out of lakes on few occasion and they were dry.
ReplyDelete6 - Those Chinesium axle nuts are not to be trusted
ReplyDelete9 - She meant to do that
A man's got to know his limitations. A fat, old woman, too.
ReplyDelete#10
ReplyDeleteGet everybody in the rear seat for traction.
Back down the hill.
Take another run at that hill- faster this time.
No guts, no glory.
Insert General Lee horn and banjo music for encouragement.
DeleteAnd don't forget to paint the democrat party flag on the roof.
DeleteOn number one, I used to work for a landscaper who tore down trees like that all the time. You send someone up in the tree, and chop the branches down a little bit at a time. Rather than chop the whole tree down over a bunch of electric wires.
ReplyDeleteI think it fell before he started to do anything.
DeleteLook at the other trees around the one that fell. It looks like a strong wind blew the tree down. The guy was holding a traffic cone.
DeleteHe never got a chance to put a saw to it. The roots just gave way.
DeleteDidn't cut it down, the roots pulled out. The guy looks like he's trying to put out traffic cones to warn others.
DeleteMichael in Nelson
Correct me if I'm wrong...
Delete#1 Looks like he was preparing to cordon off the area so he could cut down the tree as Anon suggested. The fact that he has a safety cone in his hands and not a chainsaw, trees in the background swaying in the wind; guessing that the tree came down on its own, just a little earlier than planned.
What's the stuff in #2? Some kind of powdered charcoal or something?
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same. Printer toner maybe?
DeleteHair dye? Looks like a master bathroom.
DeletePlease tell me the stuff in #2 isn't...#2...
DeleteCC
So #2 is mess….
ReplyDeleteCan anyone explain it….????
Ed357
Poor number one, he was just there to set up cones…
ReplyDeleteWith #1, the tree actually uprooted, wasn’t cut. The guy with the road cone was starting to mark out the area…
ReplyDelete#1 Don't know if this has ever happened to you. I always liked being in the woods on a calm day and suddenly see a tree fall. All those years that tree had been growing and I was there to see it in it's final moment. No one else on the planet witnessed it but me. Kind of a spiritual thing.
ReplyDelete#6 - ouch
ReplyDeleteI'm still sore just from watching the poor fella in #6. Landed right on the chin.
Delete#3: Well, that is a silly place for a mat if there's really cars pulling in and out.
ReplyDelete#6: "I'm so cool. I don't need a helmet!"
#9: Majestic.