a question about duals

[jimg]

I'm in the process of looking for a hay tractor and the push from every dealer I've talked w/ so far is to buy 4WD. I did explain that the primary use was hay w/ some occassional very light tillage and planting (small no till drill). They admitted 4WD wasn't strickly necessary for that but would be helpful and also make resale easier. I can certainly understand their position but I also think I'd like to put my money in other more important equipment if possible. When (if) I need the extra traction I was planning to put duals on the rear. I did mention this plan but few thought it a good idea but never explained clearly why. It seemed good to me. What do you think? Am I way off on this or would duals work out well/just OK/not at all? In W WA where I moved from there were many 2WD tractors still in use (used for all sorts of work) that had duals. All of those machines seemed to get the job done. The land around here is pretty much relaxed so hills aren't a concerned. Perhaps there are other considerations I'm missing.

 

[JESSE1]

Four wheel drive is real nice to have when using a FEL but not necessary. My 6400 JD is 2wd and has always had a loader on it. 4wd would make moving hay or dirt in wet conditions much easier. If you routinely use a loader in wet conditions I would recommend 4wd, especially with a smaller tractor. It does add a significant cost when buying a large tractor. Duals don't add traction where you need it when using a loader except for the extra weight in the rear provided by the tires/wheels. The extra width would be a problem when hooked to a baler or when transporting the tractor. My recommendation would be go with 4wd. I know I'll get it on my next tractor.

 

[JackIL]

Jim,

Certainly 2WD would suffice for the applications you describe and many older 2WD tractors with duals did a lot of productive farming. However, the current economic reality is that most purchasers of tractors, both new and used, have come to expect that the tractor they want is capable of all wheel drive. This means that over time the resale value of a 2WD tractor drops much more rapidly than a 4WD tractor will. On large ag tractors the cost of the front wheel drive holds its value when you trade the next time and, if fact, may significantly increase the resale value of the tractor significantly. If you don't expect to ever trade this tractor for another in your lifetime, then 2WD might be reasonable.

Another factor is that the front tires for 2WD tractors will require higher inflation pressures than those for a mechanical front wheel drive tractor. The larger front tires on front wheel tire tractors also have more load capacity which can become a factor for loader work that the tractor may see.

Food for thought.

JackIL

 

[JoeinTX]

Like said above, FWA is not necessary for what you seem to be looking for. Are they pushing new tractors on you as opposed to used?

FWA is nice and we have a small one now mainly for loader/dirt work. It's as good for steering and control as it is for ultimate power to the ground in my experience.

Amazingly, there are a whole bunch of conventional 2wd tractors out there which have bailed hay, plowed, done loader work, and pulled loads as you note in your original post.

FWA? I don't look for it specifically in a tractor. If the price is right and it has it..........okay. I find a lot of seeming bargains on 2wd units which will still do the job at the end of the day and cost less........

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Like said above, FWA is not necessary for what you seem to be looking for. Are they pushing new tractors on you as opposed to used?

FWA is nice and we have a small one now mainly for loader/dirt work. It's as good for steering and control as it is for ultimate power to the ground in my experience.

Amazingly, there are a whole bunch of conventional 2wd tractors out there which have bailed hay, plowed, done loader work, and pulled loads as you note in your original post.

FWA? I don't look for it specifically in a tractor. If the price is right and it has it..........okay. I find a lot of seeming bargains on 2wd units which will still do the job at the end of the day and cost less........

In 35 years of farming, I owned ONE MFWD tractor. It was here for 9 full seasons. Then I sold it. In the meantime, I continue to do as I did BEFORE I bought that 4wd.......and do it all with 2wd tractors. On maybe 3 or 4 occasions did I wish I still had a 4wd. (And that was always snow) The 4wd I had was bought to do a specific job. (Pull a chisel plow) The tractor needed to either be 4wd OR much bigger 2wd.

4wd is nice to have. It's value is more frequently appreciated on smaller tractors. However, 4wd will make a bigger tractor perform better in harsh conditions.

In the end, my old 2wd tractors have baled, plowed, disced, planted, graded, mowed, loaded, pulled, seeded, spread, and raked everything I've ever asked.

 

[jimg]

For reference Im looking at a TL90 or TL100 and I would call that a big tractor. Is that what you all are defining as 'big'?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

For reference Im looking at a TL90 or TL100 and I would call that a big tractor. Is that what you all are defining as 'big'?

"Big" tends to be relative. For your uses, that's a bigger tractor than is absolutely required, so yes, it would be BIG. If you were a wheat farmer in Kansas with 15,000 acres, no, that's not so big.

A little too big is easier to live with than a little too small. You are looking at a hp range where you'll need to spend some major coin on the implements. That much muscle will shred lighter built equipment.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

For reference Im looking at a TL90 or TL100 and I would call that a big tractor. Is that what you all are defining as 'big'?

Duals for the TL will be clamp on style and are not the greatest as they plug up easily in some soils. With this size tractor you are better off going to a larger 2wd tractor or FWA.

 

[jimg]

A little too big is easier to live with than a little too small. You are looking at a hp range where you'll need to spend some major coin on the implements. That much muscle will shred lighter built equipment.

I was planning on the usual hay equipment...discbine, rake & baler. Id be really surpised if they werent engineered to work well w/ this machine. Im planning to rent the planter from my equipment dealer. Im not planning on any significant tillage.

Duals for the TL will be clamp on style and are not the greatest as they plug up easily in some soils. With this size tractor you are better off going to a larger 2wd tractor or FWA.


Maybe this is why they didnt like the idea...b/c they couldnt quite figure out how to fit the other tires. I know the NH dealer couldnt quite figure out how it might be done. Going bigger is still way cheaper than 4wd. IIRC 4wd adds about 5K to the price but going up a size adds only about $2k.

 

[jimg]

Let me ask the question a bit differently...in what cases would you use duals? I had the impression theyd be used for a couple reasons 1) more traction and 2) more 'lift' to spread the tractors load over a wider area. I also think that adding extra weights might be necessary to distribute the load optimally.