As the name suggests, a differential lock is a locking mechanism for the differential, designed to lock either the inter-wheel differential (between left and right half-shafts) or the inter-axle differential (between front and rear drive axles) to address situations where one or more wheels lose traction and cannot free themselves.
A standard differential allows the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds. However, when one wheel spins freely, the other wheel on a good surface also cannot receive torque, causing the vehicle to lose its drive power. In such cases, the differential is ineffective. To ensure that the power can be transmitted to at least one side of the connected wheels, enabling the vehicle to gain drive power and escape from the predicament, various differential lock mechanisms have been developed.
Manual Mechanical Differential Lock (Tooth-embedded Type)
Advantages: In off-road conditions, it ensures all vehicle wheels receive effective power, helping the vehicle extricate itself from challenging situations.
Disadvantages: It must be engaged at speeds below 5km/h.
The technology behind the manual mechanical differential lock is simple and has a low production cost. Yet, it remains the most reliable and effective equipment for enhancing a vehicle's off-road performance. It achieves a fully mechanical connection between the two half-shafts, providing a sturdy link. However, the differential lock should only be used in extreme conditions or on rough roads. Using it during normal driving can cause serious damage to the vehicle's tires and other components.
Eaton Type Differential Lock
Advantages: Fully automatic control of the locking.
Disadvantages: Cannot be manually controlled and only functions when a speed difference occurs, resulting in a slightly slower response.
The Eaton differential lock is also a type of mechanical differential lock. When there's a traction difference between the two wheels, if the speed difference between the wheels reaches a set value, the Eaton differential lock will automatically lock the differential, allowing both wheels to have the same power, enabling the vehicle to free itself."
