AchingBack
Veteran Member
Ernie, that's hilarious. I Laughed Out Loud.
4wd tractor vs 2wd
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Ernie, that's hilarious. I Laughed Out Loud.
texasjohn
Super Member
Every time, and I do mean every time, I put my 4wd into 2wd (for good reason..like on pavement) I forget to change it back UNTIL I am in some situation where my rear tires are spinning. Invariably, it is less than 1 hour of 2wd operation before I'm spinning tires and reminded to return to 4wd.
4wd rules!
4wd rules!
tractorboy5500
Gold Member
k0ua
Epic Contributor
There is also a big difference in comparing large 2wd tractors to small 2wd tractors. A large 2wd tractor with a lot of weight can do a lot of work, I know I had one for many years, But you can do the same work with a smaller 4wd tractor. In the case of a small CUT tractor which is a lot lighter, 4wd becomes much more important. I am not saying 2wd tractors are useless in any size, but you sure can do a lot more work, less tire spinning and a whole lot less frustration with a 4wd tractor. And as for the stupid video, well going up a very slippery hill in reverse with AG tires proves they have better traction going foward than in reverse.. So what? Yes they are directional. And if you keep spinning and bury the 4wd tractor, yes a 2wd tractor can pull you out..It was just a dumb video if you were to ask me..
James K0UA
James K0UA
bindian
Super Member
I had a 2WD Ford 3055 and now own a 4WD Mahindra 6520 with a Bradco 511 backhoe and a ML275 loader. The difference is night and day.:thumbsup: When I first got the Mahindra, I was filling in a large tree stump hole and ran too far into the hole.
Next thing I knew, I was in the hole. My backhoe subframe bottomed out on the edge of the hole and the rear tires were spinning.....................while the front tires pulled me out of the hole. I have had water soaked ground break out from under me and ain't no 2WD tractor gonna be able to get out of that. All four wheels were slinging mud and I didn't stop until I quit making ruts. 2WD front tires would have just sunk in, because when you stop, they stop and then you go down. 4WD front tires are bigger than 2WD front tires, which allow you to go into bigger holes and still get out. Believe me, when you break through soft dirt you are packing down, you'll love the advantage those bigger 4WD tires give you in departure angles.
Only thing I can think of a 2WD tractor does better and that is turn on a dime.
hugs, Brandi
tractorboy5500
Gold Member
I have put mind down on the front axle when finding a soft spot in a sand bar, I just did get out. I had my 5500 4x4 for 6 years now, and had it stuck 3 times, Got lucky so far by using my 4x4 Dodge and my friends 23hp tractor when I didnt have a 4x4 to pull it out, But when I get stuck I dont play with it until Its bottom out, if I did then it would take a Dozer to pull me out or a really big tractor. I have broken one chain so far by doing this, not a rusty one either, it still was new looking and two years old. I made two short chains from it.I had a 2WD Ford 3055 and now own a 4WD Mahindra 6520 with a Bradco 511 backhoe and a ML275 loader. The difference is night and day.:thumbsup: When I first got the Mahindra, I was filling in a large tree stump hole and ran too far into the hole.
4WD front tires are bigger than 2WD front tires, which allow you to go into bigger holes and still get out. Believe me, when you break through soft dirt you are packing down, you'll love the advantage those bigger 4WD tires give you in departure angles.
Only thing I can think of a 2WD tractor does better and that is turn on a dime.
hugs, Brandi
bindian
Super Member
Tractorboy5500,
Hehehe.:laughing: I was told before if you can get it out yourself, you are just delayed.
If you need help, your stuck. I haven't been stuck yet, as I carry my own "jacks". hugs, Brandi
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mdelmarcelle
Silver Member
I recently replaced an older tractor (1950s Massey Harris 50, same as the Massey Fergeson model I believe). While it was an older tractor, it definitely was productive and could pull pretty well. However, as so many have said, with 2wd, once the front tires decide to sink in, you can be stuck before you even know it. And on ice or snow (plowing snow or pulling trailers), 2wd doesn't work as well.
The new tractor I got is a Kubota M7040SUD (4wd). It's a bigger tractor, so it's not an apples to apples comparison, but the 4wd does come in handy. I typically don't have it on, but I've been able to go through muddier situations and pull more when I have it on.
If 4wd didn't make a difference, nobody would ever use it. So it obviously is useful. But depending on where you're using the tractor, it may not be worth the extra money. If the ground you're working on dry, you're not using a loader, and you don't see the need for the extra pulling power in some situations, you might be just as well saving the money.
One other thing to consider, however, is resale value. Tractors in general hold their value well, but I'm guessing 4wd hold value better than 2wd.
The new tractor I got is a Kubota M7040SUD (4wd). It's a bigger tractor, so it's not an apples to apples comparison, but the 4wd does come in handy. I typically don't have it on, but I've been able to go through muddier situations and pull more when I have it on.
If 4wd didn't make a difference, nobody would ever use it. So it obviously is useful. But depending on where you're using the tractor, it may not be worth the extra money. If the ground you're working on dry, you're not using a loader, and you don't see the need for the extra pulling power in some situations, you might be just as well saving the money.
One other thing to consider, however, is resale value. Tractors in general hold their value well, but I'm guessing 4wd hold value better than 2wd.
Wombat125
Gold Member
The way I see it, nearly every MFWD (4wd) tractor has the means to disengage the front drive axle. As such, we can do an absolutely accurate comparison of 2 vs 4wd.
I can tell you from my own experience with my JD 5303 pulling a Road Boss grader or a middlebuster in the summer, or moving snow in the winter, that 4wd is indispensable. I can demonstrate very unambiguously that there are things I can do in 4wd that I simply cannot in 2wd.
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