N80 said:
I leave it in 4wd most of the time. The only time I take it out is when driving on pavement or when I don't want to dig the soil up as much when mowing. With Ag tires on the front it really cuts the grass up when turning in 4wd.
I don't buy the argument that using 4wd causes any sort of accelerated wear. I suspect that 4wd system is made to last as long as the rear drive system with constant use. But, I also don't believe running it all the time necessarily adds wear to the tractor. I do think driving in two wheel drive until you have to put it in 4wd to keep going puts additional wear on the whole tractor. When in 4wd you don't need as much engine power to get the same task done (if traction is required) as you would in 2wd. In other words, straining the tractor in any way just in order to accomplish a task in 2wd is probably more likely to add premature wear than using 4wd all the time. Using 4wd also keeps the front drive components well lubed.
In any case, its up to the individual but I disagree with the notion that using it all the time accelerates wear to the tractor. That shouldn't be a reason not to use it anyway.
Sorry, but your front end driveline is not designed to last as long as the rear driveline, that's just simple physics. The manufacturers do not have to build it to last as long because it's not intended to be used as much.
Secondly, it requires more engine power to do a task in 4x4 versus 2x4, again simple physics.
I'll offer one last test to explain the stress you are putting on your tractor when driving around in 4x4. Put your tractor in 4x4, go out in the lawn or in the driveway or wherever you like. Turn the wheels to half lock or full lock or whatever degree of turn you choose. Drive until you have completed half a circle. Stop the tractor. Now with the engine at an idle, begin to move again gently and slowly. Whether you are HST or gear/clutch equipped, you will notice a significant resistance to movement. You will have to push harder on the HST pedal or lug down the engine more than normal when engaging the clutch to get the tractor to move out of it's resting position. Why is that???
It's because again you have the drivetrain stressed and what us Jeepers call "bound up". In Jeeps I have saw this stress so strong that the "drive" ujoint on the driveshaft will begin movement as much as 1/8th of a turn before the driven ujoint moves, twisting the driveshaft.
You can call that whatever you want. "Properly lubricating your front end parts." "Taking less power to do the same task." "Being safe." Whatever feels good in your mind. I call it undue stress on your driveline. I call it premature failure of driveline parts if done long enough.
Like Soundguy said, it's not like the front end of your tractor is going to fall off tomorrow or that you are destined to buy new frontend parts next week. We are just saying, it's unnecessary wear, plain and simple.
And as Soundguy said, when you need 4x4, use it. When you don't need 4x4, don't use it. Real simple. And again, your tractor will thank you!!!
Lastly, I don't have an owners manual over here with me, but will someone get out their owners manual and tell us what it says about using the 4x4 feature, when to engage, when to disengage???