4x4 Question

[ovrszd]

Hmm.. I think i remember saying that running in 4wd causes 'extra' load and or stress, and wear on the front driveline components.. not 'undue' or 'disproportinate'.

The point was that if you had a tractor that was 4x4 and could be switched to 4x2.. that I would switch it into 4x2 for tasks that dind't need 4x4. I.E. If I was going to go mow my flat pasture for 8 hours.. I'd shift to 4x2... Now.. if after mowing i needed to haul the hay wagon up and down mount everest during a snow storm.. I'd engage 4x4...

In summary.. if ya got 4x4.. use it when needed... if it ain't needed.. why load up the front driveline...??

Soundguy

Yep, that was our first stand Soundguy. Then all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractor jumped on us. Then we responded with examples of why that causes extra wear and tear on the front end. Then all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractor jumped on us again about how it couldn't possibly cause extra wear and tear or the manufacturer wouldn't have included it. Then we responded with use it when you need it. But by then the "war" was on and all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractors were entrenched and ready to argue even the most obvious point.

This has certainly been a good thread though and has shed some definate light on each participants experience level with such equipment and offered some excellent and some not so excellent advice. Which is the ultimate goal of this forum!!! So it's a win/win!!!

 

[neverenough]

Among other pieces, I've used an FEL on a MF135 and my 2810HST, similar weigh tractors (MF plus 300 lbs.). Operations that are marginal on the 135, such as driving down a bank or trying to back uphill with a load in the FEL are handled substantially easier with the 2810. Work which is marginal for the 2810, such as wrestling stumps up and down slopes yesterday (thanks to Ernesto), the 135 simply would not be able to handle.

I expect the front wheels were providing 50% (or more) of the traction during this hairy manuver, much more than "aid". This is an extreme example. The more challenging the terrain and load, the more FWD is going to help.

All this probably doesn't mean squat if the work is move dirt, hay etc. on flat ground. And it's just my opinion.

Now see, there is a prime example of front assist at work. It "aided" you in getting the job done. While driving up the hill with a load on the loader is better, if you have no choice but to back up, FWA would "aid" you in doing that too.

See, the point was, some people were leaving the impression that you could work a MFWD tractor more than a 2wd equal. In reality, all the MFWD does, is allow you to do the same work as an equal 2wd, but in harsher conditions, like loose soil, slippery hills, ect... where the workload is not the limiting factor, traction is. That right there is why they put MFWD on tractors.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't believe I would call it a war by any means just a difference of opinion. I don't believe you have proven your position to the point that the wear and tear on the front wheel components would fail any more or less prematurely regardless if I left my tractor in 4 wheel drive full time or not. We are talking about a machine that is unlikely to reach 10,000 miles in its entire life span. The majority of your assessment is based on your comparison and experience with 4 wheel drive and off road jeeps & etcetera. I don't see the connection to the degeneration of 4 wheel drive components of and agricultural tractor capable of 20 miles and hour with a lifespan of less than 10,000 miles and a vehicle capable of 70 miles an hour and a life span of 200,000 miles that spends 90% of its life on asphalt

I don't 4 wheel my Jeeps at 70 mph over 200,000 miles. I 4 wheel at 5 mph or less for very few miles at a time and always on dirt, rocks, grass, sand, everything except pavement. I engage my 4x4 and disengage my 4x4 many, many times in an afternoon of wheeling. I just can't stand that spinning, slipping and binding caused by turning around in 4x4. If you have a MFWD tractor and that thought doesn't bother you, then by all means leave it in MFWD. Take the lever off and throw it away if you like. It's your tractor.

Yesterday I was browsing in I believe the NH forum. An owner said his tractor was making funny sounds in the front end and if he tried to move with the MFWD disengaged one front tire spun forward while the other spun backwards. If he engaged his MFWD it would turn them both the same direction when he moved but it made terrible noises and would eventually lock up and stop the tractor. I didn't ask him what he was doing when this occurred. It really didn't matter because he was asking how he should get it on the trailer. I have experienced that in my Jeeps. I will do whatever I can to reduce the chances of experiencing that with my B2910. I'll use MFWD when I need it. I'll disengage it when I don't. I can't join the people in this post that say they ALWAYS use their MFWD. I have too much experience with 4x4 systems to condone that.

If all of the debate on this subject hasn't at least made you consider that it might be hard on your tractor's driveline to drive around in MFWD all the time that you are not on pavement, then for you the discussion is over.

And I assure you the axles, gears, bearings, etc., in my Jeeps are bigger, stronger and tougher than the front driveline of your B7800. Lastly I'm a military guy and the word war is used to describe anything that results in two opposing sides. This certainly applies.

 

[Timber]

LOL yea I have had enough of this thread and I agree my argument is done that is why I deleted that last post, After I read it over and thought I was a little too aggressive in my position. We have come around full circle. I was a big off roader years ago but I was a dune buggy guy. I love 2 wheel drives in the dirt but that is another subject. This was a great tread, I had fun Thank You and I hold my stand but you did bring things to my attention I didn't consider but it is unlikely I will change my behavior

 

[ovrszd]

LOL yea I have had enough of this thread and I agree my argument is done that is why I deleted that last post, After I read it over and thought I was a little too aggressive in my position. We have come around full circle. I was a big off roader years ago but I was a dune buggy guy. I love 2 wheel drives in the dirt but that is another subject. This was a great tread, I had fun Thank You and I hold my stand but you did bring things to my attention I didn't consider but it is unlikely I will change my behavior

And I certainly don't expect you to change your behavior. I don't expect anyone to change their behavior or their views. If we all thought alike we wouldn't spend two minutes talking to each other, let alone multiple days and hundreds of posts. I learn something every time I enter a discussion. That's why I do it.

 

[dfkrug]

Just last week a friend of my brother took his JD 4410 tractor out of 4 wheel drive because he did not want to forget to take it out when he got onto the blacktop. As he was traveling on a logging road headed off a hill it broke traction and slid about 50 feet, hit a dirt bank and rolled, coming to rest on its side. Just shows what can happen when someone thinks they don't need 4 wheel drive.

When I was a newbie, I almost did this. I have a paved road and
parking area, and VERY hilly terrain in the mountains. I forgot to put
my old Kubota L2550DT back into 4WD after leaving the pavement and
lost traction going down a hill. Thankfully only my load got damaged.
There are 2 safety devices of great use to mountain tractor users: 4WD
and HST. Both are tremendous help for stopping.

I think that if you are likely to forget switching into 4WD and you have
steep slopes, it may be advisable to ALWAYS be in 4WD mode.

 

[broomjob]

When I was a newbie, I almost did this. I have a paved road and
parking area, and VERY hilly terrain in the mountains. I forgot to put
my old Kubota L2550DT back into 4WD after leaving the pavement and
lost traction going down a hill. Thankfully only my load got damaged.
There are 2 safety devices of great use to mountain tractor users: 4WD
and HST. Both are tremendous help for stopping.

I think that if you are likely to forget switching into 4WD and you have
steep slopes, it may be advisable to ALWAYS be in 4WD mode.

dfkrug, Bravo to you, that was exactly the answer that the original thread poster must have been looking for. If you have hills and you use 2wd you will eventually forget to engage 4wd and you might not survive the outcome. On my property, I have a "Engage 4wd" sign at the end of my driveway. That way I am reminded to shift into 4wd when I return from the pavement.

To me 4wd is like a seatbelt, if you dont have it on all the time, it will be off when you need it most.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. I actually had to go back and re-read the thread to pick all that back up.

I'm not sure at this point that we can add anything.. .. the info, as was posted above, and sumamrized here has been re-hased abot 3 times now...

Soundguy

Yep, that was our first stand Soundguy. Then all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractor jumped on us. Then we responded with examples of why that causes extra wear and tear on the front end. Then all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractor jumped on us again about how it couldn't possibly cause extra wear and tear or the manufacturer wouldn't have included it. Then we responded with use it when you need it. But by then the "war" was on and all of those that instantly engage their MFWD when they crank their tractors were entrenched and ready to argue even the most obvious point.

This has certainly been a good thread though and has shed some definate light on each participants experience level with such equipment and offered some excellent and some not so excellent advice. Which is the ultimate goal of this forum!!! So it's a win/win!!!

 

[RobJ]

On my property, I have a "Engage 4wd" sign at the end of my driveway.

Now I have to ask...you really have a sign that says this? Mine says "Don't forget to tip staff".

Seems there should be more...

Engage 4wd
fasten seatbelt
raise rops
lower bucket
put seat trays up
keep hands inside the operator area
check cell phone
take pulse
put on thinking cap
zip up pants


Ok maybe a billboard. Just kidding.

 

[broomjob]

Now I have to ask...you really have a sign that says this? Mine says "Don't forget to tip staff".

Seems there should be more...

Engage 4wd
fasten seatbelt
raise rops
lower bucket
put seat trays up
keep hands inside the operator area
check cell phone
take pulse
put on thinking cap
zip up pants



Ok maybe a billboard. Just kidding.

Thanks for the suggestions, the only one I might add is "zip up pants" but I would include "slowly and carefully"