JWR
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 3,848
- Location
- So MD / WV
- Tractor
- MF 2660 LP, 3 Kubota B2150, Kubota BX2200, MH Pacer, Gravely 5660, etc.
It is safe to be in 4WD anytime you need it or want it. There is no such thing as a danger about being in 4WD. Forget that. Once you understand the machine and 4WD, etc. there are a lot of points to be made:I should have been more clear, TTWT was doing similar work as I was, a commenter, not Tim, said that.
To be clear, it's safe to be in 4WD and be scooping dirt?
1) not good to be using it on dry pavement because that just wears tires worse and stresses the drive train due to slight differences in gearing from front to back, tire sizes, etc. Plus you generally have no need for it on pavement. Picture the average 4WD pickup truck. It has not only a differential in front and one in back but also a 3rd one in the middle which accommodates differences between front and rear rpm. You do not have that 3rd middle differential in a tractor. Differentials allow... go look it up if you do not already know.
2) Almost no tractors have front brakes. So especially on steep ground you often need/want all wheel braking. You get that in 4WD and not in 2WD.
3) A 2WD tractor is a stuck tractor ... and other opinions you do not need to hear. Good luck to ya.