I have never hear of anyone ever having tractor problems from using their 4X4 capability. I personally avoid "roading" the tractor in 4X4. Don't know if it matters as much as with my truck but don't need 4X4 on pavement when transiting from a to b. If traction is bad enough to recommend 4X4, such as in winter, then there is enough slippage to avoid stressing the mechanicals.
I find that sharp turns in 4X4 tends to tear up the surface you are manuvering on way more than in 4X2 so if that is an issue (on a putting green or whatever.) Where it matters that you tread lightly, consider 4X2 unless you really need to put some HP to the ground.
Anyone here really think it neccessary to constantly be shifting in and out of 4X4, in just when really needed and out when not? My tractor maint guy (damned good mech) and the Kubota manuals don't think there is a problem with the way I do it. I'd be more concerned with the wear caused by constantly shifting in and out than using it.
Of course if the subject tractor is some off brand light duty looks sort of like a tractor that has something that kinda acts like 4X4 then there are probably several other concerns about robustness as severe in nature as the 4X4 issue. If I were afraid that my tradctor was about to self destruct at any time just doing what it was designed to do, I'd be looking for another tractor that didn't need diapers and a nanny to change them.
Most CUT can do in 4X4 the work that a 4X2 tractor needs about 50% more HP to perform (generalization/rule of thumb recommended to me by several sources.) Said another way you can get by with a smaller less powerful tractor if it has 4X4. If you use your tractor to anywhere near its capacity you will be hampered by wheel slipage much more if you run in 4X2.
I personally find having to stop to shift gear ranges on my hydrostat to be a pain, yet transiting from the bucket filling location to the dirt using location would be painfully slow in mid or low range which is used to fill the bucket. It makes sense to me to shift to the gear best fitted to the work and suggest that this IS NOT the same thing as 4X2 vs 4X4.
I need 4X4 to fill the bucket nicely much of the time but could manage to drive from a to b (some of the time) in 4X2, and might, if someone could offer a good rationale as to why switching back and forth is sufficiently advantageous. I see no evidence offered from factory manuals, factory reps, or maint mechs. (Kubota, I haven't a clue about other brands but have heard rumors that there are other robust brands as well.)
We all have our opinions, justified and backed by fact, experience, informed sources, or perhaps just some personal idea we happen to like with nothing to back it up but a restatement of our personal whim. I prefer taking guidance from the former not the latter. Still, I try to keep an open mind and would love to be shown the true path if anyone could cite some sources. If I'm living in a fool's paradise I'd rather be straightened out than erroneously operate in a destructive or non productive manner.
Pat
