Not much use for my 4WD yet

[keegs]

I've only had the tractor since February of this year, but aside from pulling the delivery truck that delivered the tractor out of the snow :laughing: I haven't had much use for the 4wd yet. Even on sloping grades the ag tires seem to keep the tractor on a firm footing. Not saying I regret spending the extra cash for 4wd..

 

[Chilly807]

The extra weight of the 5640 over, say my L3400 is the reason why you've not used 4WD much. Anytime I'm on muddy ground and there's any load on the tractor it needs 4WD to keep from tearing the ground up. Mine has Ags too, but without much weight they tear the sod pretty easily.

Sean

 

[k0ua]

I have been in situations where I wished the tractor had 8 wheel drive ... and a backhoe!:laughing:

 

[Zebrafive]

Do you have loader? Many times when I have a heavy load I wish I had mfwd

 

[keegs]

no loader ..yet ... and I usually have a 600lb sickle bar mower mounted on the back.

 

[ovrszd]

I have been in situations where I wished the tractor had 8 wheel drive ... and a backhoe!:laughing:

Just dug myself out of one of those situations this morning. Straightening a waterway with a scraper. Slipped into a silted ditch sideways. To the top of the right front tire, belly'd out in silt. Took 30 minutes using the loader bucket to slowly push myself out backwards. Having to pull forward several times because the scraper would get jack knifed into the hitch. Would have given anything for rear axle steering!!!

 

[wmonroe]

no loader ..yet ... and I usually have a 600lb sickle bar mower mounted on the back.

Not having a loader on makes a huge difference, even without loaded rear tires I don't use 4x4 much when I have the loader removed. Are your rear tires loaded?

 

[Bigfoot62]

As already said, MFWD makes the biggest difference when using a loader. Not only do you have the option of having the front wheels pull, but you have a much stronger front end and bigger tires to carry the load.

 

[newbury]

I have been in situations where I wished the tractor had 8 wheel drive ... and a backhoe!:laughing:

Yeah, something like

with a backhoe.

 

[keegs]

No ...rear tires aren't loaded. I think I understand how sure footedness is important with a heavy load in the bucket.

 

[k0ua]

Yeah, something like

with a backhoe.

Now you are talking!:thumbsup:

 

[yanmars]

I think it is better to have front wheel assist and not need it than to need it and not have it. There will be times when it is handy. I have FELs on my tractors, steep hills and bog areas. I could not get along without it.

 

[dragoneggs]

4WD is essential for me. Only had my little BX for a couple of weeks but there have been many times already it has got me up a hill or out of clay muck when slipping badly in 2WD. Being able to quickly lock the differential with your heel is nice feature.

 

[BigMike50]

I've only had the tractor since February of this year, but aside from pulling the delivery truck that delivered the tractor out of the snow :laughing: I haven't had much use for the 4wd yet. Even on sloping grades the ag tires seem to keep the tractor on a firm footing. Not saying I regret spending the extra cash for 4wd..

ok so i guess you heard the phrase that it is better to have something and not need it then to not have something and need it. 4wd is a must even if you don't need it regularly. someday you will need it again

 

[chopped]

I also find it handy ,like today I was pushing a car with it.The angle I was at dues to trees, I needed to have te front tractor wheels turned completly, and the tractor wanted to go straight and not turn. So in 4 WD and then it pulled and turned to the angle.Also a few times it has bene an advantage to distribute the braking action through it.

 

[LindenBruce]

Yeah, something like

with a backhoe.

I like it!!! Is that factory or an aftermarket option? B.

 

[Red Bull]

I use 4wD all the time.

 

[keegs]

BigMike,

I've owned a 4wd pickup for over 30 years now and while it's rare that I use the 4wd, when I need it, I'm always very glad I have it.

My neighbor owns most of the farmland around me and when we discussed new tractors his advice was - no need for 4wd. He's running large 190+ hp IH/Case (don't know the model numbers) that weigh 6-8 tons or more I'd imagine and so maybe with all that weight and with the lay of the land 'round here it's fine.

Seems the concensus on this site is that 4wd is a must have and with my experience having it in my pickups all these years, I tend to agree and so I went with it in the new tractor. No regrets though. The fact I haven't used it much yet probably means I'll use less fuel.

I love this new machine. It's my first and it's been great. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

I have been in situations where I wished the tractor had 8 wheel drive ... and a backhoe!:laughing:

BTDT

Yeah, something like

with a backhoe.

I got $100 that says I could get that stuck:laughing:

 

[Bigfoot62]

BTDT



I got $100 that says I could get that stuck:laughing:

Me too.

That was from the spring of '12 in the middle of one of my hay meadows.