4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[Robert_in_NY]

Most old school guys think along the same line, you don't need FWA because they always got by with 2wd. My grandfather was and still is that way so don't even try to argue about it just buy what you want and be happy.

There is nothing wrong with a 2wd tractor though as my main tractor is 2wd and that does my plowing, discing, cutting and baling. I have two FWA loader tractors that do chore work, one does help disc and run the cultimulcher but mostly it is a chore tractor. For loader work FWA is great.

 

[Oleozz]

I mowed most of the summer in 2wd but there are so many times when I use the 4wd that I would never be without it. As others have said the only disadvantage would be the initial higher price of the tractor but your resale will be higher, when and if you sell. We are getting ready for the snow season and it would be tough plowing without the 4wd. Good Luck with your new tractor.

 

[3RRL]

Robert,
This reminds me of a funny story.
Most old school guys think along the same line, you don't need FWA because they always got by with 2wd. My grandfather was and still is that way so don't even try to argue about it just buy what you want and be happy.

Many years ago I was playing in a golf tournament with an older guy who played 1957 Ben Hogan blades. I had just bought a new set of Pings back then and I had been stiffing it all day. I could see he was really irritated. He finally turned to me while I was getting ready to hit my shot and said, "How can you hit those bricks? You really need to hit a set of blades like these '57 Hogans....there's nothing better."

Well, I stiffed it again and I said to him, "Yeah, they're nice, but I bet those guys at the 1957 Indy 500 thought they had the fastest race car ever too".
I wasn't trying to be disrespectful and he finally got the point when I said that. Sometimes it's hard for old school to appreciate new school, I guess?
I really like what John Bud said earlier about giving the FIL something to gripe about to make him feel good. Really good advice, John is a pretty savvy dude.

 

[Glowplug]

Robert,
This reminds me of a funny story.
My grandfather was and still is that way so don't even try to argue about it just buy what you want and be happy.

I really like what John Bud said earlier about giving the FIL something to gripe about to make him feel good. Really good advice, John is a pretty savvy dude.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna just get a 4WD and just grin and bear it when he says something about it.

 

[N80]

Well, we also have to keep in mind that some of us are going to be old father-in-laws at some point too. And you know that when that day comes you're probably going to think that new son-in-law is a real dufuss.

 

[_RaT_]

Well, we also have to keep in mind that some of us are going to be old father-in-laws at some point too. And you know that when that day comes you're probably going to think that new son-in-law is a real dufuss.

I had a neighbor who was Joe tractor. He mentioned to me that you really do not need four wheel drive on tractors. Rather then discuss it with the old guy, I just left it. A few years later he asked me if I would come over and dig out his ditch which was filling in. I asked why he did not just use his old Massey and do it himself. He mentioned that without 4WD, he would get stuck, something he routinely did in his well irrigated pasture while just mowing it. I mentioned to him how one time an old guy told me 4WD was really unnescessary. He starred at me and said contrary to what you hear about old dogs, they can learn new tricks. I figure that after watching me at my place doing all the things I did, he revised his thinking. 4WD, not always necessary, but very, very handy....

 

[frank_f15]

Well, we also have to keep in mind that some of us are going to be old father-in-laws at some point too. And you know that when that day comes you're probably going to think that new son-in-law is a real dufuss.

i AM AT THAT STAGE ONLY MY SIL IS NOT A DUFUSS, just does not have a tractor. i would never have another tractor without FWD only thing is i never run on dry pavement and even when plowing snow on concrete drive I never make sharp turns in fwd. can feel a difference , so i usually back up and lenghten the turning radius, if the drive has ice or packed snow not a problem,

 

[Soundguy]

Location and circumstance seems to be the key issue as to who needs what here... Those of us who only see snow on tv, and have pancake flat high and dry land may or may not be able to justify the higher cost of 4wd. Also.. 4wd helps get hp to the ground.. many larger 2wd tractor owners found other cheaper ways to do that.. I.E. . dual rears and or/ mud paddle rear add-ons.

Lots of ways to skin a cat.. many of them qualify as correct...

I personally can;t imagine spending money of a front drive axle... I'd rather have the next size up 2wd tractor, vs 4wd... I had a 4wd... never did get good use out of that front drive axle... ( but it wasn't a bad thing.. just an unused thing.. I'm pretty sure it helped raise the value of the tractor during trade in.. so looking at it that way.. I'm glad it had it.. etc..)

Soundguy

 

[_RaT_]

Location and circumstance seems to be the key issue as to who needs what here... Those of us who only see snow on tv, and have pancake flat high and dry land may or may not be able to justify the higher cost of 4wd. Also.. 4wd helps get hp to the ground.. many larger 2wd tractor owners found other cheaper ways to do that.. I.E. . dual rears and or/ mud paddle rear add-ons.

Lots of ways to skin a cat.. many of them qualify as correct...

I personally can;t imagine spending money of a front drive axle... I'd rather have the next size up 2wd tractor, vs 4wd... I had a 4wd... never did get good use out of that front drive axle... ( but it wasn't a bad thing.. just an unused thing.. I'm pretty sure it helped raise the value of the tractor during trade in.. so looking at it that way.. I'm glad it had it.. etc..)

Soundguy

While I do not see snow where I live although it is available 40 miles up the road, I have some mud, lots of loader use, lots of ripper work and on the flip side of Soundguy, cannot imagine going back to my International 454D 2WD or any 2WD tractor. With almost twice the weight and much more torque then my 4WD Kubota L3830, it was all but useless for anything but flat mowing. The R1's were loaded, the mower on back is a Woods offset 80" two spindle brush mower with triple parallel belts to drive the blades. It weighed almost 2000lbs. The tractor was pushing 6000lbs. Like has been said, it does indeed depend on your needs and that may well be determined on where you live.

 

[Soundguy]

Say.. nice tractor.. I love those fronts.. makes it look real tough.

Yep.. application .. Perhaps 90+ % of my seat time is just mowing.. and mowing.. and mowing. add in a lil' bit of grass seeding and fertalizer spreading, and some very limited loader work.. like turning and stacking a maneuer pile.. and some hay bales .. etc. ( no digging ... )

Soundguy

While I do not see snow where I live although it is available 40 miles up the road, I have some mud, lots of loader use, lots of ripper work and on the flip side of Soundguy, cannot imagine going back to my International 454D 2WD or any 2WD tractor. With almost twice the weight and much more torque then my 4WD Kubota L3830, it was all but useless for anything but flat mowing. The R1's were loaded, the mower on back is a Woods offset 80" two spindle brush mower with triple parallel belts to drive the blades. It weighed almost 2000lbs. The tractor was pushing 6000lbs. Like has been said, it does indeed depend on your needs and that may well be determined on where you live.