NV4500, reverse or 1st, which is strongest?

[15w40]

Several years ago I read somewhere that reverse gear in the NV4500 will not stand up to a hard pull and first gear is stronger. I have been using my Ram to pull stumps by chopping some of the roots and then tying a tow strap to the stump and front tow hooks, then backing up using 4 Lo. Would I be better off using the rear hitch and 1st gear?



Can any of you who tow tell me if there are any problems with the transmission when backing a heavy trailer?



Thanks in advance

 

[Groover]

I have no idea about wich gear is stronger.



I use a tractor to do such work but I am sure that one is not available to you and I guess I would pull stumps with my Ram if I had to! My JD80 will pull a helluva lot more than my truck anyway and no worries of breaking anything.



As far as wich direction to pull. I would suggest pulling off the rear for several reasons.



1. The rear hitch and frame are stronger.

2. Pulling off the rear helps balance the weight better between the two axles. (Shifts more weight to the rear) (Pulling backwards puts a lot of weight on the already heavy front)



my . 02

 

[rkressg]

I had an old 78'chevy 3/4 ton plow truck that I always pulled out stumps with. This was the kind of truck you went to the gas station to get oil and check the gas. It would only pull them out in reverse. If I used the rear hitch, the weight distribution was not correct, and usually I did more damage to the grass than the stump.

Which direction you pull in is more relivant to the direction and terain you are on. If you pull with the rear hitch, you will have almost a 50/50 weight distribution in the axles. If you pull with the front end, with these diesels, you will put almost all the weight on the front end. That can be good or bad, depending on the situation.

Getting back to the question, forward or backwards. My old chebby had a stronger and steaper reverse gear than low had. I am sorry, but I do not know the NV-4500 transmission enough to tell you a direct answer. The NV-5600 has not given me any problems when backing a heavy trailer or pulling hard on a stump.

 

[BV]

1st or reverse

I believe they have the same ratio so I'm not sure.

 

[Mallory]

I never make a big pull in reverse. The weight of the truck and load transfer to the front axle. The front axle and drive shaft is much weaker-lighter than the rear.

 

[Loren]

BV is correct. The ratios for both first and reverse are 5. 61 to 1. I won't presume to state which direction would be easier on the truck.



Loren

 

[JoeyD]

Your ring gears are stronger when used in drive. Although I doubt they would break pulling in reverse.