Use 4 wheel Drive all the time?

[ulflyer]

Is there any particular reason not to leave my CK30 in 4 wheel drive all the time? Lately with all the rain we've had I found it necessary to use it to keep from spinning while mowing. Normally, I don't need it, but out of curiosity, I'd like to know if there is a reason.

 

[atsah]

If not needed I don’t use it because it wears things quicker and turning the front wheels on my lawn tears it up, also not good on dry pavement and uses more fuel. But, if you’re tractor is slipping, use it.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Is there any particular reason not to leave my CK30 in 4 wheel drive all the time? Lately with all the rain we've had I found it necessary to use it to keep from spinning while mowing. Normally, I don't need it, but out of curiosity, I'd like to know if there is a reason.

Folks who have steep property tend to leave 4WD on because if you forget and start down a hill in 2WD, it can kill you. Flatlanders can operate safely in 2WD and only go to 4WD when the ground gets muddy or icy. You never want to use 4WD on a paved road.

I keep my tractor off my lawn, so can't speak to that.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I very seldom have mine in 2 wheel. Only if moving on flat ground and not carrying a load on the FEL. Every movement is quicker, hence, dangerous with a load. 2 wheel does not work well when using the FEL for dirt work with the SCUTS.

Ron

 

[oosik]

I seldom have mine in 4WD. In the summer - if I need 4WD - its, most likely, a situation that I better be getting out of dam quick. There is only one spot on my entire property where I could get into trouble - both summer and winter - the "moat". Its a low area - around 800 feet long by 80 to 100 feet wide - connects my little ten acre lake with the big 125 acre lake. Its soft, wet, squishy, almost bottomless most of the year, water can be 4' deep in the spring -- its a moat.

My high meadow - 14 acres - is on the "other side" of the moat. Sooo..... you pick your time to cross if your going up there with the big tractor. Otherwise you could be in big trouble.

I will use 4WD some times when plowing my driveway in the winter and ALWAYS when crossing the moat - regardless of the time of year.

 

[JoelD]

“The Moat”, funny we all seem to have the bit of property that is troublesome. I use 4x4 all winter when snow blowing. Then only when doing loader work on non paved surface as my backhoe is big counter weight and don’t need 4 wd when on pavement. Constant 4wd would be like leaving my truck in 4x4 all the time, much wear on dry pavement. Which brings up a good question is the 4 x 4 in my tractor the same technology as my truck I think it’s very similar with regards to the differentials

 

[CMV]

I seldom have mine in 4WD. In the summer - if I need 4WD - its, most likely, a situation that I better be getting out of dam quick. There is only one spot on my entire property where I could get into trouble - both summer and winter - the "moat". Its a low area - around 800 feet long by 80 to 100 feet wide - connects my little ten acre lake with the big 125 acre lake. Its soft, wet, squishy, almost bottomless most of the year, water can be 4' deep in the spring -- its a moat.

My high meadow - 14 acres - is on the "other side" of the moat. Sooo..... you pick your time to cross if your going up there with the big tractor. Otherwise you could be in big trouble.

I will use 4WD some times when plowing my driveway in the winter and ALWAYS when crossing the moat - regardless of the time of year.

You're probably a good 1800+ lbs heavier & much larger rears with that M That was something I noticed going from a light 25hp machine to this one - need for 4wd was much, much less. Will still engage out of habit and as a general good practice with a heavy load in bucket or on pallet forks. Otherwise, only if I'm in muck or ripping up virgin soil. I'd say use it when you feel you need it or prudent to have it engaged, otherwise stay in 2wd.

 

[tractorshopper]

I almost always keep mine in 4X4. Switch from high to low depending what work I'm doing. Rarely use 2WD and if so only if I'm driving it on the roads to the gas station for fuel.

We have lots of hills around here. When I mow my "lawn" I mow in 4X4 high. I really don't experience my yard getting torn up in high. It will tear up in low however. This is my 3rd tractor and pretty much find the same to be true of all 3 so far.

 

[4570Man]

I only use 4wd when needed. It tears up the ground worse and can’t be doing the machine any favors when it isn’t needed.

 

[gunmonkeyintl]

Folks who have steep property tend to leave 4WD on because if you forget and start down a hill in 2WD, it can kill you.

Amen to that!

My single biggest butt-pucker moment to-date came from from going downhill in 2wd. One spot on my property drops 80 over the course of about 100y- steep, but not too steep to traverse safely.

I was taking my tractor down to the creek, which I hadn稚 done in about a year, and forgot to put it in 4wd. At one steeper part, I realized that I kept accelerating as I let off the HST pedal, and immediately went to the brake, but that didn稚 help much. I did manage to get it to stop and put it in 4wd, and it became controllable again.

Ain稚 going to make that mistake again.