4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[SkyPup]

The biggest advantage 4WD has over 2WD is when 2WD doesn't cut it, you simply shift to 4WD.

With only a 2WD only tractor, that is not an option and therefore a distinct disadvantage.

 

[3RRL]

Yup,
That is basically what I said in post #21.

 

[Soundguy]

The biggest advantage 4WD has over 2WD is when 2WD doesn't cut it, you simply shift to 4WD.

With only a 2WD only tractor, that is not an option and therefore a distinct disadvantage.

Flip it around.

The biggest advantage a 2wd has over a 4wd, when 4wd apps are not needed or wanted, is price. With a 4wd tractor, there is no lever to switch out that puts a couple thousand dollars back in your bank.

It's all application specific...

It really sounds like the 4wd owners just want a hard and fast concrete justification for having 4wd.. In reality.. you don't need any justification other than you wanted it.. So.. quit putting down a 2wd tractor.. There are many valid applications where 2wd is fine.. and not a 'con'.

Soundguy

 

[SkyPup]

That's what I mean, a 2WD is specific for 2WD situations, while a 4WD is specific for both 2WD and 4WD situtations, well worth the cost to double or quadruple the situtations when the tractor can be fully utilized.

 

[Soundguy]

well worth the cost to double or quadruple the situtations when the tractor can be fully utilized.

That's an incredibly subjective statement... to the point of being almost incorrect.

It could be argued that a tractor performing up to 100% of it's intended task could be considered to be fully utilized.

Thus an old 2wd tractor could be setting there with flat tires with a belt pulley running a thresher or binder or drill, or some other stationary powered device. This tractor could be replaced with a big shiny new 4wd unit with equal pto hp.. and quite a huge price tag. Looking at income produced.. i don't see the 4wd unit doing any more binding thatn the 2wd unit.. just for the sake of having a front driveline...

Financial reasons can make big differences. Take for example a situation in which a job bid is placed. A few thousand dollars can make the difference in getting a contract or not.

Case and point.. A friend bought a mowing rig after bidding on quite a bit of county mowing... all flat.

His bid beat another fellow by a margin of less than 1000$.. both were buying from the dealer we buy our equipment from.... the salesman said the other fellow specced a 4wd tractor...


I see this sort of thing all the time.. there are simply situations where 4wd is not part of the equation.. like for temporary stationary power... in that situation.. the extra cost of 4wd is straight waster.

Lots farmers down here buy big 2wd tractors that set on sites for a few seasons to run power or water.. then they drive them to other locations. The GC i work for does similar. In some cases the price of a large 4wd machine to do the same job as the 2wd would be 25% more money.. paying for that huge 100hp front driveline that will never get shifted into gear..

Personal justification is fine...

You guys need to realize that -your- tractor uses do not comprises 100% of the uses that another person might buy a tractor for.

Lets get objective.... the subjective stuff doesn't fly.

No one has said that a 4wd doesn't have more value, or open up a wider range of uses.. that point is not in contention.. however.. when viewed within a realistic narrowed scope.. it's easy to see some situations wehre having 4wd is just another part to maintain.. and more money to buy.. with little working value.

My ex-NH 1920 was such a case... the 4wd didn't benefit me in use/application... had I not traded it.. the extra price of the 4wd would have literally been waste to me.

Soundguy

 

[SkyPup]

I agree wholeheartedly, there are numerous instances where a 2WD is totally adequate, like when you're mowing a golf course lawn with turf tires and wish to leave a minimal footprint or your tractor is primarily utilized on paved asphalt surfaces.

 

[BTDT]

If you can afford a big enough 2wd, a 2wd is fine. If not, and your limited around your property (trees, small gates, etc.) then a 4wd makes sense, more pulling power in a small unit.

 

[Soundguy]

Thus.. it is application specific...

Soundguy

 

[BTDT]

What's the difference in someone spending a little extra money for an extra drive axle that they can have on demand, and someone with 9 other tractors sitting in their yard when they can only drive 1 at a time (Soundguy, see his profile)?


BTW, the original poster said he "wanted" 4wd, so this whole thread seams kind of useless.

 

[3RRL]

Thus.. it is application specific...

Soundguy

No doubt you are correct Chris, it's application specific. The thread was worded 4WD: Advantages/disadvantages so conditionally speaking, one advantage of having 4wd is you can use it when you need it if you have it. Nothing against 2wd machines.