4wd tractor vs 2wd

SPYDERLK · May 30, 2011

I did not see it mentioned ... but a 4wd has the ability to climb over stuff that a 2wd would just try to push with its front wheels. The taller the item the greater the 4wd advantage. This advantage is present not only with objects, but in any soft going. In plowing, the 2wd fronts have to push against the dirt they sink into while the 4wd climbs over. The 4wd uses less fuel in these conditions because of this.
larry

Sergei · May 30, 2011

My two cents on this....It really all comes down to when you need you it and you don't have it then you'll wish you spend the extra money for it. More positive thinks about having it than not.

Most tractors I'm sure has a way to switch between the two modes.

Same thing can apply to the FEL, it's help me get unstuck on more than one occasion in mud and snow even with 4WD and since small tractors 4WD is not a locking type, get one tire spinning and your most likely hung. With the FEL you can push yourself back and get free.

xtn · May 30, 2011

Certainly there are conditions in which 4wd is not an advantage. What you are missing is that there are also conditions in which it is an advantage.

If the ground is soft enough to bury yourself to the frame, it probably isn't going to help much. But if the ground is firm and the problem is just slippery muck on the surface, it makes a big difference.

I was dragging a big log in reverse and needed to back up out of a little dry creek. The slope was dry and firm, but was crumbling away as my rear tires were trying to climb it. Switched to 4wd and the rear easily climbed up and over the loose soil.

So is it always an advantage? No, of course not. But sometimes it's priceless.

SixHoeBob · May 30, 2011

I don't remember all of the times I wasn't frustrated because I had the advantage of 4wd.

I do remember all the times the 2wd loader tractors were stuck.

A month ago I had a hard time getting my 2wd 310D up a slight slope in a field to dig a trench for a drain tile. Once the trench was dug, I had the customer dump stones in the trench. With his 4wd 70hp New Holland, he crawled over/through the piles of mud with the front axle to dump stones in the trench. He had no trouble hauling the stones up the slope either.

By the grin on his face, I would say he thought it was pretty cool.

ShannonCole888 · May 30, 2011

I don't know. I plan on doing mainly tillage work, with a secondary use for pulling heavy, red oaks, some 20-30 in diameter,some as thick as 48 in anywhere from 8 ft-40ft long. They are heavy. Of course I can cut them to managable sizes with a chainsaw. Do you think a 38hp Massey Ferguson 2605 2wd will handle them properly ? I have also considered the Case IH Farmal 70 2wd, and the NH T4020 2wd, which is almost the same tractor, except the body work, and rearends. I know they are heavier, but the cheapest new one I see myself getting is probably around $19,000.00, while the 2605 is around $12,000.00 That does include, rotary cutter, plow, tiller, cultivater, grain harvester, manure spreader, etc.. I will be also purchasing

ShannonCole888 · May 30, 2011

I ment, that doesn't include attachments, and implments, and pull behinds. The 4wd 2605 is about $14,500.00 I also have to buy the land too.. I mean, I have work to do where I live for now, but I plan on buying some property in the norther part of the state of WV. I live in southern WV. The closest dealer that sales CASE IH, is in Virginia, about 60 miles away. I plan on moving closer to them, when I find some property. I have already found some nice parcels, but I haven't decided yet. I don't know how much I will be spending on property though.

ShannonCole888 · May 30, 2011

Another thing I dislike about a 4wd tractor, is that you will have to ballast it, if the 4wd axle weight shifts percentages of weight balance.

tractorboy5500 · May 30, 2011

ShannonCole888 said:
Another thing I dislike about a 4wd tractor, is that you will have to ballast it, if the 4wd axle weight shifts percentages of weight balance.

Your are weird :confused2:

SixHoeBob · May 30, 2011

5500 - You are not being nice.

Shannon wants to buy a tractor, some land, and be a farmer. He has no intention of buying a loader, only rear mounted equipment.
I have seen the light, he wants a 2wd.
When he finds out how much land costs, he will be back with more cost saving ideas. That is good, because offering suggestions is easier than solving my own problems.

tractorboy5500 · May 30, 2011

SixHoeBob said:
5500 - You are not being nice.

Shannon wants to buy a tractor, some land, and be a farmer. He has no intention of buying a loader, only rear mounted equipment.
I have seen the light, he wants a 2wd.
When he finds out how much land costs, he will be back with more cost saving ideas. That is good, because offering suggestions is easier than solving my own problems.

Ok, Iam sorry. :confused2:, But what is there to ballast on a 4wd, if anything the two wheel is un-ballast, because 4 wheels pulling is better than 2 wheels pulling, think about it.