4WD or 2WD?

[Brian_D]

I'm a Newbie researching tractors and I am looking for some advice.

I have 8 acres in New Hampshire 4 of which is field that can be reasonably called my lawn and the rest hardwoods.

I need a tractor to do various things, move some dirt around, dig rocks which periodically show up on my lawn/field and other jobs as far as landscaping ect.

I already own a Toro 268 mower and can keep this to mow the lawn or I could use the new tractor I am going to buy. The problem is I don't want to buy a huge tractor for nothing and I want to buy the right tractor to meet all my needs. In short I want the tractor to do everything but don't want to pay for it! LOL

My question is do you need 4WD if just doing the chores I outlined or can I get away with 2WD?

I have read alot of posts on the forum and most of the people on here are what I would describe as experts...maybe not from having a degree in tractors but from experience which is far more valuable than a book.

Thank-you for your reply(s)
Brian Dickie

 

[ducati996]

Get the 4wd !!! with 8 acres I'm sure you will want to have a FEL as well and since you are in NH (it snows alot there-I'm sure you know that) you might use the FEL for snow removal, a Box blade for grading, etc...get the machine with 4 wd and FEL capability-you will never regret it

 

[GlennT]

I have a small two-wheel-drive tractor and get by just fine. For a majority of my needs, it's adequate. However, there are times when four-wheel-drive would be helpful--rear scoop, box blade, etc. All compact tractors are relatively light weight and lack the inherent traction of bigger and heavier ones. If you have the flexibility to buy a four-wheel-drive tractor, I suggest that you do so. Remember, too, that the resale potential and value will be higher. Have fun!

 

[Bird]

Brian, you say you want to move some dirt around, dig rocks, etc. So I will assume you intend to get a front end loader, which in my opinion is one of the handiest things ever invented for tractors. Now, yes, you can get by with 2WD, but you probably ain't gonna like it. So, my recommendation would be to only consider 4WD tractors unless you buy a really big tractor.

Incidentally, before I bought my first new Kubota, I had been shopping and looking for several months for an older, used tractor (hoping to save some money), and the brand was not an important consideration; I considered several different ones. And the used one I found that I liked best was an older Kubota L model. The guy who had it was retired, buys tractors and equipment from auctions, "re-conditions" and paints them, then sells them. The old tractor looked good, ran good, etc., but of course I tend to be just a little cautious when they're repainted and you don't know what they looked like before. In this case, though, I suspect the old gentleman did good work and was honest, because it was a 2WD and when I told him I'd want to put a front end loader on it, he promptly told me I'd better look for a 4WD or I'd regret it (and he didn't have one so he wasn't trying to sell me something else). And of course, I learned that he was right.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

repeat 10 times

4 Wheel Drive GOOD!

 

[jinman]

I agree completely with everyone who has suggested 4WD. It's ideal for loader work and will allow you to easily climb small hills and grades you would otherwise have difficulty climbing. You also get much more pulling traction to the ground in case you need to drag things like logs or move the occasional stuck vehicle. I don't know how much spare time you have, but mowing 4 acres with a riding mower sounds like a very time-consuming task. You might find you can use a rear finish mower or mid-mount mower on that tractor and get your mowing done in a fraction of the previous time and leave lots more time for more constructive tractor projects. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BTW, something in the 20-25 hp range will probably be ideal for your application.

 

[Chipperman]

Brian_D
I too would say with out a doubt, Four Wheel Drive and Loader. You will not regret it. Where are you located in NH? If it is not to far stop by KEATS in Keene they are Century, New Holland and Zetor. Nice people and good service. As you propably know you also have some good Kubota, Deere and Massey dealers up their. What ever you do, Get on the tractors and drive them around. Make sure you are happy with how it "feels" as well as how you feel about the dealer.
Good luck and keep us up dated.
Chipperman /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[LAGEORGE]

Here is neat 2WD vs. 4WD story. Recently we had the need to get some of our bigger trees trimmed since they were getting heavy and are close to the house. Our driveway had just been redone and was not looking forward to having it crack with heavy trucks riding all over it. So my idea was to tow the chipper up the steep driveway about 300 feet and leave the chipped material on the back forty of the property. But first we needed to see if we could haul the heavy commercial chipper up the hill so an experiment was devised. We would try to tow an overweight 7260 pound 4WD Suburban up the hill if it could get that up the chipper would be cake. I hooked the winch cable from the Suburban to the drawbar on my NH TC 24D put the suburban in neutral with a driver in it of course. On the base flat portion thing were going OK then the climb was approached and the wheels started to tear up then slip on the new asphalt. So we unhooked and gave it another shot and again same thing. We at that point decided it was not going to happen so we started to put everything away and while moving the tractor out of position I noticed it was not in 4WD! So I begged for one shot and bet I could do it! So hooked up again and revved up to MAX RPM started the pull and guess what it went up the hill lugging the engine down but backing off on the Hydro pedal got the Suburban up the hill. We then examined the driveway and noted no damage the experiment was a success.
I never considered anything other than 4WD and this is just one of many experiences that I have had were 4WD made the difference. You might want to consider the safety aspect of 4WD. When engaged you have the braking power of 4 wheels. On steep slopes going downhill it can make a difference in how safe your tractor is to travel on slopes.

George

 

[DavidJ]

George, That's an excellent example of the difference 4WD makes.

I use it alot doing loader work, so I am definitely on the 4WD side of things. I don't own or need a 4wd vehicle but I would never own a CUT without it.

 

[Rch]

4 WD, no question ! In New Hampshire for snow, depending on the lay of the land, wrestling chains on a 2 WD which may not have fender clearence anyway, depending what tires you get, is a prime consideration. You will do jobs with the tractor you haven't even conceived of yet and you will appreciate 4 WD weekly. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif