Free Wheel Hubs
LAMDA FREE WHEEL HUBS
A 4WD vehicle need not operate as a 4WD in all cases. When a 4WD vehicle is out of a terrain where a 4WD is required, unnecessary fuel consumption and load is applied on the engine. In order to convert a 4WD vehicle to 2WD vehicle and get all the benefits of a 2WD vehicle, free wheel hubs are used. Locking hubs, also known as freewheeling hubs are fitted to four wheel drive vehicles, allowing the front wheels to rotate freely when disconnected (unlocked) from the front axle. This is done to reduce the mechanical resistance of the front-portion of the drivetrain when four-wheel drive is not in use. The hub, along with the wheel, is designed to engage (lock) onto the axle, to be powered by the drivetrain in four-wheel drive; or the hub can disengage (unlock) from the axle when four-wheel drive is not needed, thus allowing the front wheels to rotate freely within the hub. The hub is a component where the wheel is directly mounted to, and is outside the axle.
Mechanically activated locking hubs are activated by hand by turning a switch on the end of the axle.
The advantage to mechanical hubs is that they are often considered more robust, and less prone to issues due to maintenance negligence. The disadvantage of this is that the driver needs to get out of the vehicle to activate the hubs.
LAMDA FREE WHEELING HUB INSTALLATION
ADVANTAGES
The benefits of unlocking hubs for normal road use are mainly found in increased fuel efficiency. When the front hubs are locked, even if no power is sent to the front axle (by means of a transfer case), the turning of the wheels will still spin the front axle, differential, and driveshaft, which puts extra load on the engine. Unlocking the hubs disconnects the wheels from the axle, which eliminates this extra load. Other benefits also include keeping the front-differential free from unnecessary wear, quieter operation, less vibration, and lower wear in other drive line components.
OPERATIONS
The hub can be operated between the two position easily by hand without any tools. When in FREE position, the hub disconnects the wheel from front axle shaft, differential gears and propeller shaft and revolution of front wheel becomes free, giving the following benefits:
When in the ‘Lock’ position, the axle shaft and the vehicle wheel are connected and the vehicle runs like are a normal 4 wheel Drive.
- Increase in Mileage
- Better Pick-up
- Steering becomes free
- Less load on Engine
- Less wear on Front Differential
- Less Noise from Gear Train
- Less Tyre Wear
APPLICATIONS
SLUSHY AREA
4WD vehicle is essential to navigate in slushy areas, especially during the rainy season. However, 4WD is not required, once the vehicle enters a smooth terrain, without any slush. Lamda FW Hub can be used to convert the vehicle from 4WD to 2 WD once the vehicle exits the slushy terrain. This helps in fuel efficiency and prevent unnecessary consumption of fuel under smooth conditions. This is also very useful in areas which receive continuous rainfall. Only during the months which receive rainfall, 4WD can be used to navigate through the slush. During the dry seasons, the vehicle can operate in 2WD using the FW Hub. Examples of places: Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Coorg, Meghalaya
SAND BED (DESERT & BEACH)
To navigate through the sand in areas such as deserts and beaches, a 4WD vehicle is required. However, these vehicles seldom operate only on the sand. These vehicles also run on smooth tarred roads. Under such conditions, 4WD is not required and will consume unnecessary fuel. Thus, Lamda FW hub can be used to convert the vehicle to 2WD when the vehicle is running on tarred roads. Examples: Rajasthan, coastal areas
ICEY AREA (SNOW)
Under snowy conditions, especially in the Himalayan Regions which receive a lot of snow, a 4WD vehicle is required to navigate through the rough terrain. Once, the vehicle is out of the snowy regions, 4WD is not required. Under such conditions, Lamda FW hub can be used to convert 4WD to 2WD. Further, 4WD can be used only during the winter when there is snow. In the dry conditions, the vehicle can be converted to 2WD using the Lamda FW hub. Examples – Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Himachal, Arunachal, Sikkim.
HILL STATION
While navigate through hilly area a 4WD vehicle is essential, most of the roads to hilly area will be having pits, humps and bumps etc, a 4WD vehicle is essential in this area. However, 4WD is not required once the vehicle reaches a tarred road or smooth road. Lamda Free Wheeling Hub can be used to convert the vehicle from 4WD to 2WD when the vehicle reaches the tarred ot smooth road. This helps in fuel efficiency and prevent unnecessary consumption of fuel under smooth conditions. This also reduce the tyre wear and reduce the engine load. Examples of Places: Uttarakhand, Himachal, Arunachal, J&K, West Bengal, Meghalaya & Kerala
ROCKY SURFACES
4WD vehicle is essential to navigate in rocky surfaces. A 4WD
vehicle is required to navigate through the rough terrain. Once, the vehicle is out of
the rocky surface, 4WD is not required. Under such conditions, Lamda FW hub can
be used to convert 4WD to 2WD, when the vehicles reaches smooth roads from
rocky surface. This helps in fuel efficiency and prevent unnecessary consumption of
fuel under smooth conditions. This also reduce the tyre wear and reduce the engine
load. Example of Places: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
OFF-ROAD
One of the widest applications of FW Hubs is for off-roading. When 4WD vehicles are participating in various off-road events, Lamda FW Hubs are extensively used. 4WD is necessary to maneuver through the challenging off-road courses. Once the event is completed and the vehicle enters on-road, the FW Hub can be used to get all the benefits of a 2WD vehicle.
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