4wd - 2wd limitations

lumberjack · Dec 3, 2004

Hi,

I am a forestry student in Scotland. I am busy doing a project on 2 differant tractors of my choice. One must be a 4wd and the other 2wd. One of the question are- State the typical uses and limitations of each one. Any help will be great.

meledward23 · Dec 3, 2004

I didnt know my 4wheel drive had limitations /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ...... (it might beg to differ).

My experience in Four wheel drive vs two wheel drive has mainly been in using the FEL with not enough counter weight. Carrying a heavy load on the FEL which makes the rear end light and not carrying the weight of the tractor. This makes 4wd an important factor in soft ground, and backing out of a location.

Limitations of 4wd is that it is a pain to steer so should only be used where necessary.

I am sure the is much more to be expounded upon......

jinman · Dec 3, 2004

( State the typical uses and limitations of each one. )

Lumberjack, I can think of many limitations of both of these tractors, but I'm going to give you the one that I think is the most important to me.

If you install a loader on a 2wd tractor, the tractor must have lots of weight on the rear tires or it will lose traction when the loader bucket is full. I had a 2wd tractor that was so poorly designed I could not climb a small hill on a gravel road with the bucket over half-full of dirt. With a 4wd tractor, this is no problem because the front wheels provide the traction when the loader is full. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Logan · Dec 3, 2004

Lumberjack,
4X4 = twice the grip getting stopped on a steep slope. Very important if its a consideration.

ZJ_HR · Dec 3, 2004

We had two 4wd tractors during 27 years.
One of them (bought 1981, new) was transformed to 4WD in 1996, so I have experience with same tractor in both versions.
Our tractors are used only on fields and medows. We don't have FEL.

2wd tractor is good for 3pt mounted implements, especially ones that transfer weight to rear wheels.
Example is drill, planter etc.
Advantage is smaller turning radius and lighter machine for equal engine. Good enough for pulling low coupled single axle trailors.

4wd tractor is better for any draft (pulling) work. Implements that transfer weight to rear wheels (3pt bottom plow)decrease front wheels grip, what is easy to correct with front weights added.
Advantage and main difference compared to 2wd tractor are:
- better grip with lighter machine
- tractor will allways go to reverse, like to forward
- all wheels braking - safer on slopes
- easier steering ( in muddy conditions )
- better weight distribution (usually 40:60%), harder to jump up front end - more safety
- better look /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
- possibility to carry front mounted implements (mean serious attachments, not a snow plow)
- better resale value, easier to sell

Disadvantages:
- bigger turning radius
- heavier compared to equal 2wd tractor, harder for engine
- bigger fuel consumption for road transport, more resistance in transmission.
- 20-30% higher purchasing price

After 6 years of experience with 4wd tractors, we bought another 4wd tractor (2002), and will NEVER again buy 2wd one.

Hope this helps

sneaky_pete · Dec 3, 2004

( Hi,

I am a forestry student in Scotland.)

He sleeps all night, and he works all day... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

O-levels in tractorology??? Oh well, my wife is a Scot.

( I am busy doing a project on 2 differant tractors of my choice. One must be a 4wd and the other 2wd. One of the question are- State the typical uses and limitations of each one. Any help will be great.)

The 4wd will get better traction and hence better ground engagement on implements that need that, for a little more initial cost and maintenance.

Pete

Casimir · Dec 3, 2004

4WD will get you a lot deeper into the mud hole before you get stuck! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Seriously, in muddy, icy or sandy conditions, the 4WD will get around a lot better without getting stuck, but it sometimes can get you deeper into trouble before you realize it.

GaryK · Dec 3, 2004

I have a smaller compact and except for mowing with a MMM, all FEL and other jobs are done in 4wd. 4wd WILL tear up your lawn when you turn. Mine turns just as good in 4wd as 2wd as long as I am not on a hard surface.

slowzuki · Dec 3, 2004

I assume you are looking at forestry applications. In eastern canada much forestry work is done with farm tractors. I hear this is similar to scandinavian countries.

To take a tractor into the woods where there is wet ground, hills, snow etc to do winching and skidding work, a 4wd tractor is usable about 10 months a year here. Only spring is it too wet.

A 2wd is usuable about 6 months a year being summer and fall after the ground has frozen. This can be extended to the same 10 months a year by using chains on the tires.

The 4wd will be much more productive than the 2wd with chains and will be gentler on the soil.

For doing forwarder type work a 4wd is almost always needed as you will need to get closer to the trees. This forces you into wetter and hillier areas than the winch. It also mean your trees can stay cleaner too.

For loader work the 2wd is near useless in the woods as the winch doesn't have enough weight to work as a counter balance. In a yard area it can be useful to rank up piles of wood and pushing slash out of the way.

The 4wd can do all this plus use the loader to spread gravel etc for temporay roads. A bunch of 2wd nuts will cry oh ours does this just as well but they must live in dry flat areas. In my experience the 2wd is a waste of time doing loader work on muddy hills and rough areas.

Hope this helps!

frank_f15 · Dec 3, 2004

i can think of no time i woud prefer 2wd over4wd., but on those rare occasions just slip into 2 wd., the only disadvantage is a higher cost when purchased. but i personally would not but a 2wd again.