4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[SkyPup]

One disadvantage to 4WD is that when you are using it, you are much more prone to breaking something when the tractor comes into contact with something you were not expecting, in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

 

[_RaT_]

One disadvantage to 4WD is that when you are using it, you are much more prone to breaking something when the tractor comes into contact with something you were not expecting, in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

Ask me how I know that? That plus a TnT on my box scraper and it can spell structural failure. The rock was easily twice the weight of my tractor however.

 

[Doc_Bob]

in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

 

[Glowplug]

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

I think he was (somewhat sarcastically) referring to the lack of traction in 2WD being a safety benefit. In 2WD the point of least resistance would be the traction. If you hit something, the first thing to "give" is the traction. In 4WD the point of least resistance is the piece of tractor that has hit an obstacle. For example, your 3ph hits an obstacle. In 2WD you just lose traction and start spinning. The 3PH structure is preserved. With 4WD the traction is better and thus doesn't fail. The traction pulls so that the 3PH is what gives and is thus bent.

I don't think he was referring to just spinning in 2WD due to traction problems.

Of course, this is all just theorectical.

 

[Dargo]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

 

[john_bud]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

Now that's a funny post!

jb

 

[SkyPup]

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

Does your NH manual say that spinning in 4WD is twice a bad bad thing as spinning in 2WD?

 

[Soundguy]

I believe if one is working in semi-soft conditions like plowing, etc.; FWD will do the job with more efficiency, by eliminating the front "dead wheel" syndrome of being pushed through soft soil, vs pulling like the rears? But using 4WD, which may require more HP, may cancel that advantage?

Before 4wd was a common implementation.. the overwhelming bulk of plowing that this nation say for decades upon decades was done with 2wd tractors... I don't think 4wd magically changed any of that history. What it did was allow the same work to be done with a slightly smaller tractor. Thus.. what might have been done with a large heavy dual rear 2wd tractor could be accomplished with a smaller 4wd job... .. both getting the same tractive force to the ground.. just differently... still got 4 pieces of drive rubber on each example.. etc.

If you have ever looked at early tractors that plowed.. you may have noticed single rib tires that huged a furrow real good, and cut in to make turning more positive.

One of the main concepts of the draft sensing 3pt hitch was to keep hp to the ground.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

Disadvantage for 4wd would have to be based on a application specific situation.. I.E. a per unit cost on a job... specifically one where traction was not a deciding factor in the cost analysis.

For instance.. you wouldn't want the extra expense of 4wd on a tractor whose sole purpose was to set and run a genset or a water pump on a job... All that unused traction, possibly tieing up thousands of dollars on a large tractor are utterly wasted on a stationary engine... etc...

everything has pro's and con's... they just aren't always standing out in front and on fire drawing attention to themselves.

Soundguy

 

[JoeinTX]

There are many times while brushhogging that the rear tires will loose traction and the tractor will stop. This has never happened in 4 wd, and that is even on flat, rough ground. To me, a 2 wd tractor just isn't close to being comparable. Also, if you research, the one option that you get all your money back on is front wheel assist.

Much like charlesw, you have lost me here too. If you are losing traction while shredding, well, then you either have entirely too heavy of vegitation to try to cut or your trying to pull entirely too large of a shredder for your tractor. Shredding is not a "traction" issue.........it is an engine horsepower and shredder strength issue.


The 4wd has become a recent favorite among the many buyers....it looks good, there's the "anything four wheel drive has got to be better than two wheel drive" syndrome, and the impact of resale.

Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder. You may not need something but simply want it because the appearance is more pleasing.

We see the 4wd syndrome played out most apparently today in the pickup and SUV market. They are a symbiosis of all the factors above.......looks cool, costs more, more at resale, etc.....some (but actually very few) have a genuine need for them. However, they're what the "Jones's" are buying and I need one too.

FWA does allow a smaller tractor to do more to a degree. But, weight and operation are factors. As well, the application may increase or decrease the effect of FWA in practical or financial terms. As soundguy states above, an FWA tractor may well be a monetary and capability overkill for you needs. Vice versa, 2wd may not give the extra "umph" in particular uses that FWA does. In short, guage your needs and match accordingly.

I use mine for shredding, fencing, some plowing and sowing........but I operate rationally with good weight and have never felt like I needed two smaller front wheels helping me along at 15-20% engine output.

Again, if buying new I'm not slavish to the FWA model. I like all aspects of the 2wd and will buy/trade as I see it fits me. I prefer the looks of 2wd and the fewer moving parts and maintenance points. And, I am the oldest 30 year old codger you'll run into.......