So I got this truck a few months ago and have been working on it to get it ready for winter. I'll use it for plowing my driveway, hauling materials like gravel, hay, or mulch. I wouldn't call my property a farm, but maybe it'll be a gentleman's farm someday (just bought the place this past spring). To get in the field behind my house is a big hill with no proper road, and the driveway is also severely sloped. Both the driveway and fields access look like about 30 degrees at the steepest parts.
I have the granny gear (stick says L, 1, 2, 3), but normally don't use the low, except going up to the field with the 4 wheel low engaged. It sounds like it's winding out, but it goes up really smoothly and this is basically a grass covered hill with exposed topsoil in places- it's steep and slick. I read about the low gear for throwing hay without a driver, pulling stumps and heavy loads, but not really driving anywhere. First question is am I using this low/low-4 gear wrong? Someone told me I should using it for plowing, but it really sounds like its winding out at a very low speed.
I actually don't like to put it in 4 wheel drive too much because it feels real hard to move the shifter. Actually it doesn't want to shift at all at times so I put it in 1st gear bump it a bit maybe once or twice, then it seems to shift normally. At this point I can catch all 4 positions relatively easily... it's still just a little punchy, but I can feel it moving from one position to the next. Getting it out of 4low is basically the same thing - It's a pain in the butt. I would have to say I haven't really driven in 4h so I couldn't give any details for that gear. I've tried it hot, cold, engine on, engine off, in gear out of gear..., but usually operate the transfer case with the truck running, and the transmission in neutral and of course the hubs locked.
I've read the NP205 is super reliable, so I'm wondering does this sound normal, or am I doing something wrong?
I'm also having a little trouble when I turn into my driveway. It's steep from the get-go, so I kinda glide in, and slide it into first as soon as it'll allow, I might get a little bucking right off and have to feather the throttle down and crawl up always in first gear.
Also, if any of you guys are pushing a plow... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.