Four Wheel Drive

[grainger12002]

Any of you leave your tractor or atv in 4wd ? I got sick of going in and out and since my work is off road I am leaving mine in 4wd, just easier and one less thin g to think about,especially handy when mowing and using the loader-

 

[jbos333]

Yeah I leave mine in most of the time, you may notice if you're turning a tight corner on pavement it tends to bind up a little, other than that its ok.

 

[Mousefield]

Leave mine in 2WD unless I need to go to 4WD. Think if you leave it in 4WD drive all the time, if not needed, there is extra wear and tear on your 4WD. Just like a vehicle you will also burn a bit more fuel.

 

[MIKE R]

I only use 4wd on my tractor when it is needed. Any other time its in 2wd. If your tires are not the exact size for the 4wd ratio you will wreck you the clutch that engages it. You will know of they are out because you will feel a clunk every so often when engaged in four wheel drive driving on a hard surface. 4wd is only supposed to be used on soft surfaces. I have heard that the front tires turn slightly faster then the rears.

 

[bigbull338]

i dont put mine in 4wd drive unless ive got a heavy load on the loader an rear hay forks or unless im pulling a real heavy load.last winter it stayed in 4wd drive because it stayed wet an muddy most of the year.

 

[dex3361]

Well as usual I am different from everybody else. Here in WV you cant go more than a few feet in any direction without being on a hill of some degree. I started out putting it in and out as needed but thought I was going to wear the lever out so I just leave the Kubota L4400 and the Kubota BX1500 in 4WD all the time the exception is when I am going onto the hard road. For me it is safer. JMHO

 

[Pete6114]

Always in 2WD, unless i am pushing snow

 

[LBrown59]

Well as usual I am different from everybody else. Here in WV you cant go more than a few feet in any direction without being on a hill of some degree. I started out putting it in and out as needed but thought I was going to wear the lever out so I just leave the Kubota L4400 and the Kubota BX1500 in 4WD all the time the exception is when I am going onto the hard road. For me it is safer. JMHO

I leave my Kubota BX23 and both of the BX1500s in 4WD all the time.

 

[TripleR]

I put mine in 4WD when needed, but I often have to run out on the paved road; don't know enough about the mechanical side to know if leaving it in 4WD is harmful, but if I was always in the hills like other I would probably leave it in.

 

[pat32rf]

If I've got good traction (like June til Oct) its normally in 2wd. Ice, mud, snow or loose hills its 4wd. Not that big a deal to shift on my JD4300....just a flick of the heel...

 

[The Haymaker]

I miss the slipper clutch my first Boomer had in the 4wd. Left it in all the time and it never "engaged" unless there was a certain amount of mismatch in tire speed between front and rear. You could turn on pavement with no binding, or your lawn without shredding it. It would make for far less wear and tear on the drivetrain if left in 4wd all the time.

 

[JDgreen227]

I use 4wd ONLY for snow removal, or when I need to back up a steep slope that shifts enough weight forward to unload the rear tires. I don't know why anyone would leave their tractor in 4wd unless they needed the additional traction at the time.

 

[Degolyerent]

I am usually grading with box blade or root raking, also loading off and on the trailer so I leave it in 4wd except when on pavement I always take it out, but I am on the pavement very little!
I did the same with my last 4wd tractor for 12 years with no problems

 

[Baby Grand]

2wd most of the time. 4wd only when needed. My ambition always seems to get the better of my ability, so it keeps me from getting myself so deeply mired I can't extricate myself.
-jim

 

[k0ua]

Well as usual I am different from everybody else. Here in WV you cant go more than a few feet in any direction without being on a hill of some degree. I started out putting it in and out as needed but thought I was going to wear the lever out so I just leave the Kubota L4400 and the Kubota BX1500 in 4WD all the time the exception is when I am going onto the hard road. For me it is safer. JMHO

Same here, almost always in 4wd unless traveling on road. Branson, Mo. is just either up or down hill.

James K0UA

 

[cowski]

4x4 off on the road unless needed for breaking. in the field loading hay always on.

 

[5030]

FWA (what a farmer refers to as 4wd) is always a good resale point on a tractor so I always spec it. I use it rarely but I use it for field work to prevent wheel slip and crop damage.

Front wheel assist is a viable option both in resale and for when it's needed.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I use 4 wheel assist only when traversing steep inclines where additional traction is needed.

Actually, this 4 wheel assist is only 2 wheel drive; 1 front tire pulls and 1 rear tire pulls when the 4 wheel assist is engaged.

I guess that technically I could get 3 wheel drive if I locked the rear axle in and had the front wheel assist on.

 

[Runner]

Lots of hills on my place, so:

For finish mowing - in 4WD before I start and out when I finish

For brush hogging - 2WD

For loader, rear blade, box blade or snow plowing/blowing - 4WD

For pallet forks or boom pole (on the front) - 4WD if on hills, 2WD otherwise

For trailer moving - (with front hitch) 4WD, (with rear hitch) 2WD

So, it depends on the situation for me, however, since most of my hours are spent mowing, I would say I'm in 4WD most of the time...

 

[PapaPerk]

It's best to leave in 2wd unless you need 4wd. When turning you are forcing one wheel to slip. This puts excessive strain on the drive train. Of course in muddy or snowy condition slipping of the wheels is easy so load on drive train is minimal.

Part of operating a tractor or any equipment is OPERATING it. A tractor is not a "set it and forget it" machine. Running the tractor in 4wd only when needed will save tires, fuel, drive train, and damage to the ground.