4wd vs mfwd

[rustedduck]

Can anyone explain the differences between 4 wheel drive
and mech front wheel drive ?

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN


It's the same thing, John Deere uses that term (MFWD) instead of 4WD.

[barneyrb]

I think where people get confused is 4WD, MFWD, of FWA. If my understanding is correct the first two have a transfer case and drive shaft to the front end and the last one (FWA) is usually hydraulic motors on each front wheel. If I am wrong please explain the difference.

[WilliamBos]

This MT900B Articulated 4-Wheel Drive Tractor is an example of what is called 4WD!! The rest are FWA, MFWD.

[JoeinTX]

WilliamBos nailed it.


A "4wd" is technically a large, articulated tractor with almost equal power to all four hubs of equal sized tire.

An FWA, or MFWD is technically a smaller frame tractor that supplies "assisting" power to the front hubs mounted with smaller tires at a typically 80/20 ratio or thereabouts.