4 wheel drive usage

[cphilip]

I never take mine out of 4 wheel drive... that one of the reason I traded... to get 4 wheel drive! LOL

 

[Creamer]

Sharp turns in 4wd can be an issue also unless you are on soft ground where wheels can slip. Mine has diamond tread on the rear so slippage isn't usually an issue but I feel the lunging when I take a sharp turn on dry pavement or hardscape. The lunging is an indication of driveline bind.

 

[RalphVa]

THE most important reason for using 4wd is SAFETY.

If you do not have 4wd engaged, you do not have 4 wheel brakes.

It's extremely important when going up or down hills. In 2wd, you'll end up merrily skidding down the hill, particularly if you have an FEL on the front that will take weight off the rear wheels. Been there; done that.

Only time I take mine out of 4wd is for long runs on pavement.

Ralph

 

[MickeyDBC]

THE most important reason for using 4wd is SAFETY.

If you do not have 4wd engaged, you do not have 4 wheel brakes.

It's extremely important when going up or down hills. In 2wd, you'll end up merrily skidding down the hill, particularly if you have an FEL on the front that will take weight off the rear wheels. Been there; done that.

Only time I take mine out of 4wd is for long runs on pavement.

Ralph

My 7320 engages the 4wd whenever you hit the brakes. Other than that, I only use the 4wd in mud with a heavy load on the FEL. 4wd seems to let you get stuck a lot farther from the road than 2wd.

 

[Code54]

My 7320 engages the 4wd whenever you hit the brakes.

That is a nice feature that does add a lot of safety!

We use 4x4 all the time due to everything being on a hill. We also have gravel lanes and anytime you pull anything up (or down) them you want 4x4 so limit slippage. A lot has to do with where you live and what you work on. 99% of the time we are on a uphill, downhill or sidehill so anything you can do to add traction or safety is a big plus.

 

[Egon]

THE most important reason for using 4wd is SAFETY.

If you do not have 4wd engaged, you do not have 4 wheel brakes.

It's extremely important when going up or down hills. In 2wd, you'll end up merrily skidding down the hill, particularly if you have an FEL on the front that will take weight off the rear wheels. Been there; done that.

Only time I take mine out of 4wd is for long runs on pavement.

Ralph

Dropping the bucket makes for quick stops.

 

[Agvg]

Well, if you are creeping along the bucket may be used as brake

 

[cowbridge]

Thanks everybody for your thoughts, good discussion.

 

[Gary Fowler]

When you need traction use four wheel drive.
If your going downhill keep a hand on the FEL joystick. If you have to stop just shove it ahead. The bucket works very good for stopping.

I am amazed at the number of folks that have had "run aways" going down a hill with their tractor that don't even think about dropping the FEL. The FEL is a much better brake than even 4 tires when you want to stop fast. I had a friend that slide down a hill, thru a fence and into a ravine never once thinking about dropping the FEL or even the plow that he had on the 3 PH. He came thru it with only one broken leg but it could have been much much worse.

 

[RalphVa]

Dropping the bucket makes for quick stops.

Uncurling and dropping it. Just dropping won't work. Too much to do when you're hurtling down the hill and wondering why your brakes aren't working.

Ralph