Difference between 4WD and MFWD tractors, updated

[Oldpath05]

So I read this term for the first time>>>>>MFWD, with no explanation, so off to youtube and google I go for the past 2 hr. I do find some ole threads from 6 plus years ago by a bunch of ghost and still no easy to understand consensus that I can see. Time for another go around just in case I'm not the only one that's not sure what MFWD is, do I have a 4WD or a MFWD, yes and yes is my answer. Here's one posters explanation that makes as much sense as that term does >>>>post 9 "Kinda goes along with when does a nail become a spike? Webster's says a spike is a "heavy nail"<<<< https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...risons/89000-difference-between-4wd-mfwd.html

 

[Jstpssng]

So I read this term for the first time>>>>>MFWD, with no explanation, so off to youtube and google I go for the past 2 hr. I do find some ole threads from 6 plus years ago by a bunch of ghost and still no easy to understand consensus that I can see. Time for another go around just in case I'm not the only one that's not sure what MFWD is, do I have a 4WD or a MFWD, yes and yes is my answer. Here's one posters explanation that makes as much sense as that term does >>>>post 9 "Kinda goes along with when does a nail become a spike? Webster's says a spike is a "heavy nail"<<<< https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...risons/89000-difference-between-4wd-mfwd.html

most of us have MFWD tractors, AKA
Mechanical
Front
Wheel
Drive
Tractors.
AWD or All wheel drive refers more to larger, articulating equipment such as skidders and payloaders.

I really don't care what it's called, I buy to serve a purpose and to paraphrase the words of the Bard, "A Kubota by any other name is still a Kubota."

 

[RickB]

Conventional wisdom has it that 4 wheel drive tractors have all wheels the same size and MFD or MFWD tractors have smaller tires on the front axle than the rear axle. But over the years the lines have become very blurred and in many contexts all 3 labels are functionally interchangeable.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's like 4WD vs AWD; i.e., an old International Scout which had 4WD meant that it had power to both axles. If it had "AWD", that meant it had locking differentials so that you really did have all 4 wheels pulling.

 

[MossRoad]

The way it was explained to me is that four wheel drive 4WD is used when all 4 wheels are the same size and mechanical front wheel drive MFWD is used when the front wheels are a different diameter than the rear wheels.

 

[Jstpssng]

With every post that I read, (including my first) I wonder why we didn't just stick with the OP's definition;

"Kinda goes along with when does a nail become a spike? Webster's says a spike is a "heavy nail"<<<<

PS; I would define the difference between said nail and spike as when you set down your framing hammer and pick up your 2 pounder.

:laughing:

 

[ericm979]

In cars and trucks, 4wd is part time, awd is all the time. Either can have locking mechanisim of some sort on one or more diffs, or none at all. Some modern 4wd trucks have automatic mode, which makes it not that different from some forms of awd.

Another older definition is that 4wd does not have a center diff, awd does. That was true until some car awd systems come out with viscous couplers or computer controlled clutches instead of center diffs.

(the awd's center diff is needed because in a turn the front wheels take a longer path than the rears. That's why a typical 4wd system slightly overdrives the front wheels vs the rear and why they should not be operated on high traction surfaces).

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The way it was explained to me is that four wheel drive 4WD is used when all 4 wheels are the same size and mechanical front wheel drive MFWD is used when the front wheels are a different diameter than the rear wheels.

When it comes to tractors, the above is the right answer...

SR

 

[Tennsawdust]

When it comes to tractors, the above is the right answer...

SR

Unfortunately that line has become very much blurred. I often see dealers and even manufacturers using 4WD instead of MFWD. Checking tractor listings requires a double search because the same tractor may be listed either way.

 

[orezok]

PS; I would define the difference between said nail and spike as when you set down your framing hammer and pick up your 2 pounder.

:laughing:

I had a hammer once, but I couldn't find the trigger on it. Threw it away and got one with a trigger

Sorry for the hijack.

 

[CobyRupert]

People get hung up on this?

I don't think it's a either/or, but rather that MFWD is a subset of 4WD (i.e. one particular type of 4WD).

...and if you think about it: A MFWD (mechanical front wheel drive) tractor is NOT a front wheel drive tractor. Engaging the front wheels doesn't turn off the back wheels. Or it shouldn't! It's a 4 wheel drive tractor!

So yes (IMHO), a MFWD is a 4WD.

...that being said, I won't say a AWD vehicle (i.e. with a center differential instead of a transfer case) is a 4WD, or vice-versa. Even when ALL the number of wheel equals Four. That's the thing with language, it evolves and changes, sometimes to a point where the "definition" isn't the literal meaning, but more the "common use" meaning. Who's to say what's right or wrong?
Me!

Does a snowblower really blow the snow? Nope. It's not pneumatic! It's a snow thrower. Or call it a snow pump, whatever, but it's not a blower!
Sorry for the rant, I'll stop and go "dust the furniture" now! Won't the wife be surprised!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Unfortunately that line has become very much blurred. I often see dealers and even manufacturers using 4WD instead of MFWD. Checking tractor listings requires a double search because the same tractor may be listed either way.

The line only got blurred when the townies moved to the country and started buying little tractors, so the "new" dealers took on their lingo, to sell more tractors to them... lol

Back when farmers, WERE farmers, this question never came up, EVERYONE knew what a 4wd was and what a MFWD was... Even what "front wheel assist" was/is...

There you have it, so bash me for saying the truth...

SR

 

[ovrszd]

The line only got blurred when the townies moved to the country and started buying little tractors, so the "new" dealers took on their lingo, to sell more tractors to them... lol

Back when farmers, WERE farmers, this question never came up, EVERYONE knew what a 4wd was and what a MFWD was... Even what "front wheel assist" was/is...

There you have it, so bash me for saying the truth...

SR

Very well stated, and the truth of it. Only people offended will be those you mentioned in the beginning.

 

[MHarryE]

Simple, go to JD, the largest tractor manufacturer by sales in the world. 4WD is a large, 4 wheel or track drive articulated tractor. MFWD are the non-articulated tractors, 2 large tires in the rear, 2 smaller tires in the front, both front and rear can be dialed, and the drive to the fronts is disengaged either automatically (larger tractors) or mechanically for roaring because tires are not of identical size. But that’s technical terminology. What you want to call it is whatever you want.

 

[Oldpath05]

The line only got blurred when the townies moved to the country and started buying little tractors, so the "new" dealers took on their lingo, to sell more tractors to them... lol

Back when farmers, WERE farmers, this question never came up, EVERYONE knew what a 4wd was and what a MFWD was... Even what "front wheel assist" was/is...

There you have it, so bash me for saying the truth...

SR

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Baaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssh, I dont like that answer..................

My tractor is not a Mechanical Front Wheel Drive tractor. It's a Mechanical Four Wheel Drive tractor, with one wheel on front that has Optional Drive Capability ODC, meaning when the tractor gets stuck one wheel just sits there to help hold up the front end................

 

[Jstpssng]

It seems that those who "doth protesteth too much" are the guys who are always posting some rendition of "My tractor is better than yours"... My woodsplitter is faster than yours" ... "My *.* will pull more wood than yours " And it isn't just those of us with small tractors.

At the end of the day I don't care what you call it, I go farther with the rears locked and the front end engaged. I buy a tool to do the jobs that I need it for, not to get into a ****ing contest about who has the best whatever.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Baaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssh, I dont like that answer..................

My tractor is not a Mechanical Front Wheel Drive tractor. It's a Mechanical Four Wheel Drive tractor,

That's because YOUR tractor is special...

BTW, I've been meaning to ask you... Someone sent this to me, and told me it was you!

is THAT really you?? You have some nice deer up that way... lol

SR

 

[Oldpath05]

That's because YOUR tractor is special...

BTW, I've been meaning to ask you... Someone sent this to me, and told me it was you!

is THAT really you?? You have some nice deer up that way... lol

SR

No wasn't me, but the distance is about right, last Nov I was facing the other way using a deer call, then I heard a noise behind me when I turned around that deer was heading the other way showing his rack and it's pretty white tail, another one of those wrap the gun around the tree moments...........

 

[atsah]

It seems that those who "doth protesteth too much" are the guys who are always posting some rendition of "My tractor is better than yours"... My woodsplitter is faster than yours" ... "My *.* will pull more wood than yours " And it isn't just those of us with small tractors.

At the end of the day I don't care what you call it, I go farther with the rears locked and the front end engaged. I buy a tool to do the jobs that I need it for, not to get into a ****ing contest about who has the best whatever.

Same ole same ole..

Those **** townies with the little tractors.. What are we gonna do...

 

[mred2]

People get hung up on this?

I don't think it's a either/or, but rather that MFWD is a subset of 4WD (i.e. one particular type of 4WD).

A bull is a cow, but a cow may not be a full. 4WD has grown to mean anything that can pull with 4 wheels.