Just how good is 4 wheel drive

[thoner7]

I've never had the luxury of owning a 4x4 tractor, but I assume it must be the cat's meow. My truck is a totally different beast when the 4x4 is engaged. It's gotta make a huge difference on a tractor too, I'd imagine.

With 2 wheel drive and a loader, it's nearly impossible for me to reverse up hill. I'm always getting stuck in little gofer holes and ditches. Muddy slopes? Not a chance. I even slide down hills in gear when mowing a steep section of my property.

How much does 4x4 change your life?? Let's hear some stories from the other side.

 

[holeycow]

It's about the same difference as your pickup. Go. Or no go.

 

[4570Man]

Probably more difference than your truck makes. Reversing up a hill is probably the biggest difference but it’s a game changer all around.

 

[deserteagle71]

Just unloaded 4 pallets of pellets (2,000 lb per pallet) with the Kubota. Even with the rotary mower on the 3 point in the back, I couldn't back up the tractor without engaging the front tires. All that weight up front on the forks - the rear tires just spun.

 

[3Ts]

I would not have a tractor without 4wd! It makes that much difference for loader work and ground engaging tools. There are several implements that have a different HP rating for 2 wd and a lower one for 4 wd so you can think of it as a power boost. Just be aware though that if you get a 4wd tractor stuck, you're really stuck.

 

[/pine]

Descending a hill in 2 WD with a loaded bucket can get very dicey if the rear wheels break traction...it can happen even with loaded rears and ballast...once it's free wheeling there are no brakes...

 

[davrow]

4wd helps, but I have areas of silt (runoff) where I can still spin all four wheels without going anywhere.

 

[jgedmond]

I would not have a tractor without 4wd! It makes that much difference for loader work and ground engaging tools. There are several implements that have a different HP rating for 2 wd and a lower one for 4 wd so you can think of it as a power boost. Just be aware though that if you get a 4wd tractor stuck, you're really stuck.

Been there done that. Once I got the Mahindra stuck and pulled it out with the 4Runner which got stuck and pulled it out with the Mahindra. By then everything was on solid enough ground.

That's why you need a good long chain and a 4WD truck / SUV or, better yet, another 4WD tractor. :laughing:

 

[goeduck]

I have been in 4 WD and spinning like crazy in 2 situations. On rutted wet high clay ground and in a cattle corral after a heavy rain. That said, I only use my 2 WD on flay dry ground if at all possible.

 

[chim]

My first tractor was 2WD, turf tires with a belly mower. There were times that it wouldn't do gentle hills on damp grass. However, with tire chains it would clear snow like a 4WD. Next 4 were all 4WD. Last 3 tractors had loaders and 4WD has often been needed to fill the bucket.