4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[kenmac]

My tractor is 4 wheel drive. If I were going to purchase another tractor it would be 4 w.d. I don't even notice if there is any difference in turn radius. For me, 4 w.d. is worth the x tra cost. f I need it, I've got it . I need it & don't got it ,I'am S.O.L. !

 

[Doc_Bob]

No one has really touched on steering and turning radius. Is it enough of a negative factor to consider not getting 4WD?

Not at all. At least on my TN70A in 2wd or 4wd. But, l never run on hard pavement in 4WD, bad on 4WD mechanicals as expected.
Bob

 

[Soundguy]

Good points. I assume that since you live in Central Florida, you have flat land? My land is sloped and lot's of heavy soil, making 4WD a very nice addition. I run AG tires.
Bob

I personally, have pancake flat land in central florida.

Thus.. 4wd for me was all but useless. like i said. i only used it once (sucessfully ) for extra disc pulling power.

Since my main chore is mowing.. I traded my 30 pto hp machine for a 90pto hp machine... Trippled my mowing width, and also increased my disc pulling power to boot..

Now.. for someone with a fel.. or hilly land... by all means.. 4wd is -very- usefull.

Soundguy

 

[hsvhobbit]

When I bought my 38 acres a little over a year ago I had to start shopping for a tractor. I got some advice from trusted people that 2wd was all I'd ever need. However my gut told me that 4wd was a good thing to have.

When I bought my tractor I made sure it had the 4wd and have found it to be in my opinion, essential. I have some good hills on my property, some mild drainage ditch's and one area that stays a little wetter than the others. All combined there have been a 'few' times when going over the property hogging that I've had one front wheel in the air and one back wheel slipping. Hit the diff lock and dropped it into 4wd and slowly eased my way out.

Other times I've gone into a little ditch that was probably 15" deep with fairly sharp sides, something that a 2wd might've had an issue with I suspect, and it just pulled right on through it.

Could I get by with 2wd? Yep, I'd just have to be a little more careful and cautious than I already am. I need all the help I can get as a newbie tractor owner and the 4wd just gives me a little more margin.

 

[N80]

The bevel gear system in Kubota front drive trains maintains very tight turning radiuses (radii?). On some, maybe most, Kubota models, the turning radius on the two and 4wd models is the same. On my L4400 there is no appreciable difference in the turning radius between 2wd and 4wd. In fact, if it is very muddy and I forget that it is in 2wd it will start to push the front wheels making the turning radius larger. This happens less with the front wheels pulling.

I spent Sat. afternoon helping my B-I-L change rear tires on one of his larger Deeres. The old ones were worn and he was losing traction in his hilly pastures. The event that caused him to finally get new tires could have killed him. He was going down a slight grade pulling two large wagons with a total of 6 round bales on them. At the bottom of the grade he turned very slightly and since it has been very wet here the back tires broke free and the tractor began to turn sideways. The hay wagons jack knifed and one of them piled into the side of the tractor mashing the fender up. Good rear tires would have helped but 4wd probably would have prevented this altoghether.

Still, of the two or three farmers in the area, none of them have 4wd tractors.

 

[john_bud]

Just for the record, using my small Kubota l3410 with 4wd, I can move 2-3x the amount of dirt in the same time compared to my larger Ford 4140. The Ford is a 2WD 45HP tractor with a 3000# backhoe on it for weight and a 3/4 yard FEL bucket. Total weight for the ford is about 9000#. The Kubota has a 9 cuft bucket and with loaded tires and a box blade on the back is about 5500#.

Differences in operation are that the K with HST can creep into a pile of dirt while lifting and power the bucket heaping full. The Ford in low gear looses traction as the bucket is lifted resulting in a 1/2 to 2/3 full bucket. It also can't back up more than a slight slope with a bucket full. It also ruts up the ground real bad as the tires slip and spin as it looses traction. It also is much harder to turn with a full bucket even with its antique PS.

Oh, and the kubota can turn in about 1/2 the space as the ford. Very nimble.

I wouldn't argue with the FIL, just get the 4wd. It is YOUR money. Besides, it will give him something to needle you about and that will make him happy!

jb

 

[capt jack]

Went from a large 2wd tractor to a large 4wd tractor for moving/feeding large 1500lb. round hay bales (with the front loader). in the winter I was amazed at how much less tracks/pasture damage was done in 4wd. no tire spinning = no ruts.

 

[Glowplug]

I wouldn't argue with the FIL, just get the 4wd. It is YOUR money. Besides, it will give him something to needle you about and that will make him happy!jb

My, you're very perceptive!! It sounds like you've met my father-in-law!!

 

[Soundguy]

Went from a large 2wd tractor to a large 4wd tractor for moving/feeding large 1500lb. round hay bales (with the front loader). in the winter I was amazed at how much less tracks/pasture damage was done in 4wd. no tire spinning = no ruts.

It you are spinning.. your tractor may not have enough weight.

Soundguy

 

[john_bud]

My, you're very perceptive!! It sounds like you've met my father-in-law!!

Seen one, seen 'em all...

It's what FIL's do!

jb