4x4 Question

[N80]

I think having 4wd contributes to MORE 4wd tractors getting stuck (just look at this site and the pictures and posts). (

I think you are exactly right. It can give a false sense of security. In fact, THAT is the ONLY warning in my Kubota manual regarding 4wd and it specifically says that on slopes, etc, 4wd can give the operator a false sense of security.

But I wouldn't call that a negative for 4wd, its just bad judgement!

As a boy I used to hunt with a bunch of older tobacco farmers. They all drove 2wd pick-ups. My dad and I had an old IH Scout (with an enourmous winch on the front). They always laughed at it and said that 4wd just gets you stuck farther into the hole. And there is a lot of truth to that. But at the end of the day when someone had a killed a deer down in the swamp or they found a bunch of the hounds down there they came looking for us.

 

[N80]

Why this thread keeps going is beyond me.

Because people keep posting! Doh!

I'm just trying to run up my post count so I can see what comes after "Platinum Member".

And where have the smiley icons gone? Consider smileys all over this one.

 

[Dargo]

And where have the smiley icons gone? Consider smileys all over this one.

You don't see them??

 

[RobJ]

Just for grins I went out and measured mine. Conditions: heavy tiller on the 3pt hitch, 110lbs of suitcase weights on the front. Freshly tilled soil (yesterday) with rain last night. Not mud exactly, but enough to stick to your shoes if you walk.

2wd: 19' outside to outside
4wd: 20' outside to outside

I attribute the small difference to the fact that with the heavy tiller on the rear the front tires had a tendency to plow through the soft soil rather than pull the front end around. In 4wd it pulled the front end around.


Wet grass, brush hogged last week:

Couldn't get an outside diameter measurement due to the marks left not being clear enough.

2wd: 6' inside diameter
4wd: 8' inside diameter

Definitely a significant increase from the inside measurement, but not so much when measured to the outside of the circle. I guess it depends on whether you need the tight turn to get close to something in the center or avoid hitting something on the outside.

Unless I'm missing it I think you are running the numbers on a 4wd tractor put in 2wd and checking. Not a valid check. The diff in our out should limit some movement. My 4x4 SD has the same radious in 4wd or 2wd. The truck is still built for 4wd. The real check would be say an L2500 2wd like mine and a L2500 4wd.

the new 4wd IFS Surburbans have a tighter turning radious than the older straight axles, but still no where near my wifes 2wd.

 

[RobJ]

The kicker is the brakes.. Stomping on a single brake can often make you pivot on a tire, in place, depending on the tractor, making the front tires skid ( 2wd ) or chew and scuff ( 4wd ) in the same tight turn radious.

Soundguy

I figured most people knew this and why I didn't carry the description further. Spent some stomping left and right when swinging the 4020 and 4230 while cultivating cotton. The old cultivating tractors (tricycles) the front wheel would turn 90 degrees(on the newer diesel models anyway).

 

[BillyP]

Because people keep posting! Doh!

I'm just trying to run up my post count so I can see what comes after "Platinum Member".

And where have the smiley icons gone? Consider smileys all over this one.

That would be duh

 

[ovrszd]

Sounds like one wheel drive may be the best of all based on the opinions expressed here!

Has anyone found two wheel drive too much for themselves and converted to one wheel?

This will get a response, probably out of N80.

SkyPup, a MFWD disengaged tractor with the rear diff unlocked is a one wheel drive tractor.

A MFWD disengaged tractor with the rear diff locked is a 2wd tractor.

A MFWD engaged tractor with the rear diff unlocked is also a 2wd tractor.

A MFWD engaged tractor with the rear diff locked is a 3wd tractor.

I don't know of any MFWD tractors that are 4wd but maybe N80 can clear that up??

 

[Soundguy]

I figured most people knew this and why I didn't carry the description further. Spent some stomping left and right when swinging the 4020 and 4230 while cultivating cotton. The old cultivating tractors (tricycles) the front wheel would turn 90 degrees(on the newer diesel models anyway).

Yep.. I have a 50' JD-B..NF and the front wheels will turn 90 to the side, and you can stomp a brake and just spin... digging a hole in the center..

Soundguy

 

[N80]

I don't know of any MFWD tractors that are 4wd but maybe N80 can clear that up??

My Kubota manual calls it 4wd. There is a sticker on the fender from the factory that says "4WD".

My Ford pickup has a "4WD" sticker on it from the factory.

We all know how the systems work, but if you have a problem with what Kubota _calls_ its system, you'll have to give Mr. Kubota a call and set him straight.

Besides, can you hear one of us, talking to our buds or farmer friends, saying "Well , ah, technically speaking your tractor is not a 4 wheel drive, it is a 3 wheel drive, when the rear diff is locked, of course, and really just a two wheel drive when it isn't....technically speaking of course." Do that and you're likely to get a pocket protector for Christmas and season one of Erkle on video tape.

 

[Soundguy]

It may seem silly to debate 4wd vs 3wd... however..I've seen a 4wd tractor, with no diff lock, stuck.. with 2 diagonal wheels spinning freely... It does and can happen. Operator experience level will have a profound impact on that... Even when there is no diff lock.. there is usually a steering brake to help.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[N80]

I've had that happen! I've got some deeply rutted roads and was going up one of them with the mower the other day and the back right tire was on a high spot and the left front was on a high spot with the right front and left rear dangling over a deep rut. I was kind of teetering there for a moment (the mower sort of stabilized things and there was no danger since each of the free tires where only an inch or two above the bottom of the rut). But for a moment forward motion stopped and the free wheels just spun. A quick touch of the diff lock got things going again.

 

[dirtworksequip]

If there are not any 4 wheel drive tractors..................Why did this thread run for 22 pages?

 

[BillyP]

I believe the proper named is Mechanical Front Wheel Drive.

 

[BillyP]

Why did this thread run for 22 pages?

Forgot to answer your question! It's because people like you and I come back and post

 

[N80]

Kubota uses the terms "4WD", "Bevel Gear 4WD" or "4WD Front Axle".

John Deere uses the terms "Four-Wheel-Drive". Four-Wheel-Drive Front Axle", and "4WD".

New Holland uses the term "FWD", I'm not sure if this means four wheel drive or front wheel drive.

 

[BillyP]

Kubota uses the terms "4WD", "Bevel Gear 4WD" or "4WD Front Axle".

John Deere uses the terms "Four-Wheel-Drive". Four-Wheel-Drive Front Axle", and "4WD".

New Holland uses the term "FWD", I'm not sure if this means four wheel drive or front wheel drive.

John Deere uses the term Mechanical Front Wheel Drive or MFWD for short.

I don't know about the rest.

 

[N80]

John Deere uses the term Mechanical Front Wheel Drive or MFWD for short.

You are correct. In their spec sheets they use MFWD. However, in the brochures and web site they use the terms I listed above as well for both UTs and CUTs.

The spec sheets also have a area for "4WD Dimensions" as well as "MFWD Dimensions". On the UTs and CUTS the "4WD Dimensions" is blank and I think it refers to their line of huge Ag tractors (9020) that they call "Four Wheel Drive Tractors."

 

[Dargo]

I've operated several tractors that had a locking front differential as well as the standard locking rear differential. They would have to be considered 4wd. They pull really well that way, but sure won't turn worth a darn!

 

[Soundguy]

I've deffinately operated some larger tractors and equipment that were like that as well. In fact.. some o fthe equipment, if you locked the frontdiff, you had to lock in stabilizer bars that swung out and pinned, to prevent you from turning.. thus you could only go straight.. etc... ( i didn't really like that.. )

Soundguy

 

[N80]

The real check would be say an L2500 2wd like mine and a L2500 4wd.

Actually, the 4wd L4400 has a tighter turning radius than the 2wd L4400 by nearly a foot according to specs. But, that is based on one rear wheel being locked.