2wd Always?

[N80]

Not sure how 4wd would change the turning radius? My tractor turns just as far left or right when in 2wd or 4wd, only difference I see is 4wd will chew up the turf a little more.

I guess the forward traction could theoretically increase the turning radius, but that is not the case on my machine. (And for the record, other's have questioned this as well and I took the time to measure it. No difference at all. This was without using a brake.) Kubota designed the bevel gear system precisely for this reason. Other machines may differ.

Saving your turf can be a good reason to take it out of 4wd. However, my ag tires tear up the turf any time I make a tight fast turn regardless of 2 or 4wd. It is worse in 4wd.

 

[tuolumne]

My machine seems to turn tighter in 4wd...it seems as though the front wheels are pulling the front end around where 2wd will let them push forward just a bit. I've never attempted to measure this. With my JD3520 I have followed the protocol of always use 4wd unless the situation demands 2wd (like road travel). I have many steep slopes and it only took one loss of brakes in 2wd with a full loader to decide on this system. Besides, I have no pavement and almost always need 4wd anyway.

 

[Egon]

The front wheel drive on a Kubota should have no effect on turning radius due to the design. If anything the added traction in the direction turned will aid turning.

On my truck with a solid front axle and u-joints its a different situation. It don't like turning tight.

 

[charlz]

My b7100 almost never gets out of 4wd.... just the rare occasion when it needs to go on pavement. Pulls easier in 4wd, fills the loader easier and steers _tighter_ in 4wd. In 2wd the front tires have a tendency to skid and it steers wide. Of course I could use the steering brakes to make it turn tight no matter what but then I'd be wearing out my brakes!

 

[NewToy]

It's quite hilly here in SE Ohio and I rarely am out of 4WD unless on the pavement. Like stated earlier in the thread, the braking in 4WD is greatly enhanced. I feel much more in control of the tractor while pulling my finish mower in 4WD. I just tilled the garden yesterday and did the whole thing in 2WD, no problem. It was dry and flat and 2WD was adequate. If you're more comfortable in 4WD by all means use it, that's what it's for. The last thing I'd worry about is wearing the thing out.

John

 

[border collie]

I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in too; on my NH TC30 with R-4 tires I've experimented numerous times, and found that there is lots less turf damage in 4WD when making tight turns. When pulling a 6ft disc harrow it will dig a hole in 2WD, yet won't struggle a bit in 4WD.(all this is with FEL w/bucket installed). different tractors with different equip. installed may not react the same.

 

[RalphVa]

Biggest reason is safety. With 4wd, you also get 4 wheel brakes. On my tractor, it has to be just so (all tension off the gears, etc) to get the thing in and out of 4wd. If I left it in 2wd, I can see myself getting into a ticklish situation needing 4wd and not being able to get the lever to go. I leave mine in 4wd unless I go all the way down my driveway. Half way? It stays in 4wd.

Ralph

 

[brandoro]

I find my tractor slips in and out of four wheel quite easily so I often do shift it in and out. Sometimes I forget but don't worry about it too much. If I am manouvering in close quarters with a full bucket and the counterweight on the back in 4 wheel then it tends to bind up the driveline a bit, the rest of the time I don't notice that it stresses the tractor very much. Some jobs I WANT it in 4 wheel, going downhill with a full bucket for instance. When snowblowing on the other hand, I like to run in 2 wheel so I don't bend/break things if I encounter something in the snow. The back tires will lose traction easily enough that the tractor will stop before hurting anything.
Basically, use your own discretion depending on the work situation and attachement in use. My last tractor was over 20 years old when I dealt it off, no problems with the front drive and the tires would have rotted off long before being worn out.

 

[PILOON]

Someone mentioned 4 wheel braking.

May I correct that statement?
Most tractors that I know of only have brakes on the rear wheels.

However (from experience) when braking downhill you are most often actually 'on compression' ie the engine compression is slowing you down + brake application.

Example braking downhill with the FEL loaded often proves to be quite hairy as the rear can easily lock up due to the upfront weight kinda lifting the rear and therby causing the pucker reaction.

My prime vehicle is 4 x 4 and when on very icy roads (like my drive) one tactic I use is 4wheel + low range + low gear and coast on compression.
However even the slightest tap on the brake peddle and off road skid will I.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Well, you might not believe the earth is round either, but that doesn't make it flat! My tractor has a bevel gear front drive system. There is no difference in feel or turning radius between 2 and 4wd. Sorry if that seems inconceivable, but welcome to the 20th century....Kubota has been making them this way for years.

None of my 3 Kubotas, nor any of my tractors have as tight a turning radius in 4wd as in 2wd. The difference is in the 5-10% range unless you use the brakes in 2wd. Then you can get a 20 or 30% improvement in 2wd if the front end isnt too heavy.
larry