Why 4 Wheel Drive

[tld]

What are some reasons you need a 4 WD tractor. I say they are a must with a loader attached, but why? Any other reasons it will help? I know there are more than just helping get unstuck.

 

[Duffster]

It is not exactly a must on a loader either

 

[studor]

Four wheel drive is like a shirt pocket to a smoker -- you will notice all the reasons you need it only if you don't have it any more.

 

[rexcramer]

The smaller the tractor, the more necessary 4wd becomes.

I have done a crapload of work with my 2wd backhoe, but it weighs 14000#s and has big tires

 

[carpenter383]

Aside from overall better traction in snow, mud, hills, etc. 4x4 makes a huge difference with a loader because a heavy load in the front takes alot of weight off the back tires....Also if your pushing an impliment like a box blade backwards 4x4 makes a huge difference because the impliment tries to lift the back of the tractor....4x4 is good for resale too

 

[warhammer]

There are times when in 2WD the rear tires spin and you go nowhere. The ground can be dry and the slope not very steep.
Sometimes if the ground is uneven and you have an implement on the back you can get stuck.
On my farm there are some terraces and getting from one level to another can either go up some pretty steep inclines or drive a long way around.
4WD is very helpful in all these scenarios. In mud even more so.
The only way I think I would get a 2WD is if I only worked in flat fields and never anticipated working when it has rained.

Warhammer

What are some reasons you need a 4 WD tractor. I say they are a must with a loader attached, but why? Any other reasons it will help? I know there are more than just helping get unstuck.

 

[mjncad]

I have a flat yard with a ditch by the county road. There have been times working by the ditch or at a neighbor's house where 4WD was a necessity along with the differential lock.

I had a 2WD pickup once, and never again; so I feel the same way towards tractors. All the wheels better have drive capability or I'm not interested.

 

[Skyco]

Its all about traction. I back my BX24 up a ramp onto my trailer. Can't do it in 2 wd, the rears spin.

 

[irvingj]

In addition to snow removal, I like it because it allows me to drive the tractor over places where I'd rather not tear up the ground.

 

[wolc123]

It makes a very significant difference in fuel consumption during tillage operations, sometimes 25% or more. This is the main reason they dont sell too many large 2wd tractors to big farmers these days. Most of the "CUT" folks on this site cant understand that because they are more used to operation of cars on hard pavement which can not absorb energy like soft, tilled ground can.