2wd vs 4wd

Anonymous Poster · Mar 10, 2002

I am in the process of purchaseing a yanmar tractor.. but how do you decide which to get a 2 wheel drive or a 4.

EdKing · Mar 10, 2002

If you have any hills, wet spots, plan to remove snow, or any other traction concerns, get the 4wd.

Ed King

Harv · Mar 10, 2002

This topic has generated some interesting discussions in the past. You might want to amuse yourself by reading the and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=photos&Number=97849&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post97849>Why FWD threads.

JTD · Mar 10, 2002

MFWD is the cheapest way to increase the "size" of your tractor. It's like adding 1/3 bigger engine and 1/4 more weight (and you never have too much of either).

Bob_Trevithick · Mar 11, 2002

<font color=blue>...how do you decide which to get a 2 wheel drive or a 4. </font color=blue>

Very simple.. if you can afford 4WD, get it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bob

Golfgar4 · Mar 11, 2002

I guess I'd ask the question - why WOULDN'T you want 4wd? You can always run in 2wd until you need 4wd, then you've got it. Yes, it is more expensive, but you sure can't add it later! As much as the extra cost is probably a concern, IMHO I'd be willing to give up a few hp to make sure I had 4wd. Just my $0.02 worth! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 11, 2002

To me no matter where you live you might as well buy a 4wd. The price difference is usually around $1000 sometimes less (depends on size). One big upside to 4wd is resale value. Around here if it ain't 4wd you ain't selling it.

pennwalk · Mar 11, 2002

If you were just going to mow fairly flat land then you wouldn't need 4WD. If you are going to want to use ground contact implements then 4 WD is a big help. If your land is hilly or you have wet spots 4 WD is a big help. If you are going to plow snow 4WD is a big help. Older farm tractors managed to pull plows with 2WD but they were much heavier machines. With light weight small compacts 4WD is.....A BIG HELP.

Chris

Anonymous Poster · Mar 11, 2002

Flip a nickle. Then go buy the 4wd. nuff said. Dola

CSAW · Mar 11, 2002

kket56

Have you noticed any trend here? I have to agree with all the 4wd people, being one myself. It is a lot easier to pull a lever than to pull a tractor. This WILL happen. If you are considering a loader 4wd is an absolute necessity. If you are digging loose dirt 2wd is fine. If you try to push into compacted dirt or dirt with roots and such in it you need the 4wd to push into the pile. Many times I have picked up something heavy with loader then tried to back up just to have the rear wheels spin. (I know I should have balast but I don't always.) Just put in 4wd and back right up.

Going across a wet lawn in 4wd keeps the wheels from spinning and tearing up the grass. The 4wd also gives you additional wheel braking in real slippery conditions. You can pull more.

Best of all you can pull your 2wd friends out and 4WD tractors really LOOK COOL. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif