Results 11 to 20 of 38
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12-23-2013, 08:50 AM #11
- Join Date
- Nov 2005
- Posts
- 3,383
- Location
- Southwestern, PA
- Tractor
- 1958 Ford 961 Powermaster
Like you said if the property is relatively flat than 4x4 is a luxury, but if there are steep hills involved it is required. I have an old 2wd tractor with rear ballast (and no loader) and there is some equipment I won't take down some of my hills just because when the rear tires start to slip I'm in trouble, it's even worse going down that hill with a heavy load in the bucket.
Kubota L5240 with loader and backhoe
1958 Ford 961 Powermaster LP
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12-23-2013, 08:51 AM #12
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 688
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5100
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
For maintaining a garden and bushing hogging the fence line, a 2x4 would be fine. It's usually when you have the tractor that you find additional uses for it and if that involves any interesting terrain, snow, mud, etc., that is when 4x4 shines. I personally would not buy a tractor without it but that is all I have had plus my tasks require it. A lot of farmers have gotten along fine with 2x4 for many years so it all goes back to what you plan to use the tractor for.
2011 Kubota MX5100, BH92, BH BB72, Walco Bush Hog and Snowblower, Wallenstein 310 Splitter & Forks
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12-23-2013, 10:09 AM #13
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Posts
- 17,668
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M9540, Ford 3910FWD, Ford 555A, JD2210
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
I agree concerning the difference in R4/R1 tires. But in this case I think you are comparing two completely different tractor designs. The Massey's weight ratio is probably 70% rear/30% front, maybe even 80/20. The LS is real close to 50% front/50% rear. So the Massey in 2wd becomes very effective. Then add the difference in tires and you get the results you saw.
To the OP, if you are buying a 2wd, go for an AG tractor. What you get is the weight ratio I talked about above. That's why they are somewhat effective with an FEL. They, by design, carry a large percentage of their weight on the rear tires. A 2wd CUT is not designed that way.Richard
"Happiness isn't having everything you want, it's wanting everything you have."
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12-23-2013, 11:55 AM #14
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Posts
- 1,174
- Location
- Erie Pa.
- Tractor
- Montana R4944, Ford Jubilee, Ford 621, Ford 841
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
No matter what if you get a 2x4 with a loader you have to have weight in the rear or you are not going to go anywhere! My old ford has a backhoe on the rear so when it is on it's a beast, but if I take the backhoe off and try to use the FEL forget it as soon as I pickup a load in the bucket it just sits there and spins even with R1 tires (not loaded) it's kind of embarrassing! Oh yea as mentioned before power steering with a loader is an absolute must!
Montana R4944
Ford Jubliee, Ford 841, Ford 621 industrial with FEL & BH
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12-23-2013, 12:09 PM #15
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
- Posts
- 4,018
- Location
- north of upstate ny
- Tractor
- Kubota L4240 HSTC,L3000DT
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
Go with 4WD,it's like adding 10 HP.Also get the AG(R1) tires.
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12-23-2013, 03:20 PM #16
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Posts
- 4,967
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 241, Case 580 Super M Series 2, Cat D3B
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
That's an interesting point about front/rear weight distribution. With the FEL on the LS, it probably changes the weight distribution significantly, and adds a lot to the front. I'd bet that if you took the FEL off, it might be closer to the way the Massey is balanced. I know the people at the local scrap yard (2mi away) pretty well, and when the weather is better, I might see if they'll let me weigh my tractors so that I can see how they're balanced...and I'd love to know how close the factor specs are to reality.
Still, I was pretty surprised at how much slipping, and sliding I was getting in 4wd compared with the Massey just rolling along with almost no wheel spin at all....really made it obvious how much the R1s are better when it gets sloppy.
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12-23-2013, 03:47 PM #17
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
The FEL is 10x's more useful with 4wd
".........there is only one way to find out."
"Ok, hold my beer and watch this.........."
MX5100 DIY Remotes
MX5100 Diverter install
Front Snow Plow Install
Ford 5500 Backhoe
Kubota MX5100HST w/LA844
2005 Dodge 3500 4x4 Diesel
8N Rebuilt and restored
Bushhog 306
3 Homemade wood hauling trailers
Dolmar 6400 84cc ported
Sachs-Dolmar 120SI Ported
(4) Sachs-Dolmar 116SI Ported
Dolmar PS540
Sachs-Dolmar 115i
Sachs-Dolmar 117
Sachs-Dolmar 112
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12-23-2013, 06:27 PM #18
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Posts
- 17,668
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M9540, Ford 3910FWD, Ford 555A, JD2210
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
I weighed my M9540 with FEL and 7' standard bucket, loaded rears, cast iron centers in rear wheels. It weighed 10lbs more on the front than the rear. How bad would that have been without 1350lbs of fluid and 700lb cast iron centers on the rears??
When it warms up a bit I'll remove the FEL and weigh it again. Gotta road it about 2 miles to a scale. I think it'll still be wayyyy more heavy in the front than your Massey (weight ratio).
Yep, I'm still with ya on the R1 versus R4 discussion.Richard
"Happiness isn't having everything you want, it's wanting everything you have."
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12-23-2013, 06:52 PM #19
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12-24-2013, 08:11 AM #20
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Posts
- 17,668
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M9540, Ford 3910FWD, Ford 555A, JD2210
Re: 4x4 vs 2x4
Yep. That's why anything with an FEL on, other than an AG tractor, is pretty much worthless in 2wd. Think how front heavy my tractor would have been without cast centers and fluid!!!! My Brother's L3240 kubota with FEL has loaded rears but still won't back up any kind of hill in 2wd.
So to the OP, if you're gonna buy 2wd with FEL, go for an AG tractor. By design they carry most of their weight on the rear tires.Richard
"Happiness isn't having everything you want, it's wanting everything you have."
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