A quick poll !

[Madman_Mark]

How many of of you do any logging with a 2WD tractor and winch (instead of a 4WD) ?
Is there much difference between the two ?
Alot of guys tell me that 2WD works good because the weight of all the logs is over the back tires anyways. They say you need to use chains though.
What about plowing snow with 2WD (with chains) ?

 

[grandad]

Well, Mark, the 2wd vs 4wd topic always ignites a huge measure of opinion, passion and folklore, occasionally tempered by some amount of fact. To begin with, lots of folks got by just fine with the big old 2wd farm tractors for years, so you can't say 2wd won't get the job done.

But, you might ask your 2wd pals why they think just about every logger skidder used by the pros is a 4wd unit. If it wasn't cost effective, they wouldn't be using it.

Everything else being equal (like tires, weight, hp, etc.), 4 powered wheels will put more traction to the ground, more tug on the drawbar, and generally more mobility. Don't ask me to prove it, but folklore has it that a 4wd tractor has the same pulling power as a 2wd that's 25% larger. That can mean a smaller size tractor that will let you get into places where the bigger 2wd might not go.

If you are working with a smaller tractor (say under 50hp) and want to do some serious log pulling, you'll appreciate the 4wd. Still, it's your choice, and those big old 2wd ag tractors can do a lot of heavy work for modest cost if you can find a used one in good shape.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I don't do any logging but I can compare 2wd versus 4wd and tell you that 2wd is great for traction if you have a big heavy tractor. Those of us who have some of the classic American iron can prove it, I never get my old Olivers stuck. But if you are talking about smaller, newer, lighter machines then stick with 4wd. And I can tell you I'll take my new lightweight (relative weight) 4wd tractors into places I would never even consider taking the antiques.

I can't prove the folklore either, but it sounds about right that a 2wd must be about 25% heavier than a 4wd to have equal traction. But it would not suprise me if it had to be 50% heavier to get similar traction.

There are a lot of grey market 2wd tractors out there, they are inexpensive and probably pretty darn good for a tractor of that age (typically 15 to 30 years old) they are capable machines and were used to plow fields. But there are also a lot of 4wd tractors out there and if you can afford it, you will never regret the upgrade to 4wd for the added traction it gives you.

 

[frank_f15]

WELL SAID GRANDAD.

 

[Madman_Mark]

What about for plowing snow ?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

4wd

 

[AndyMA]

Having grown up on 2WD tractors and having had 5 compact and midsize 4WD, I'd never buy a 2WD tractor again unless it was just to pull wagons or something easy like that. There is just no contest between the pulling power of 4WD vrs 2. As far as plowing show and skidding logs, i've done it with both my Ford 2120 43hp and TN75D 75hp and found both could do a capable job. The TN being a 9000# tractor when equiped is a much more capable puller. The fact that it has electronic control over 4WD engagement and also differential lockup makes pulling heavy loads very easy. It also locks up all 4 wheels for max pulling power. I think a TN65, 70 or 75 would make an excellent skidding tractor especially with the large tires and high ground clearance. You may want to look at a new tractor because of the low cost of financing right now and also the tax breaks. New Holland credit will finance teh machine and all the attachments that you want with the tractor at the same low rate.

Andy

 

[fgross335_2210]

Plowing snow....4WD!

I too grew up with large 2WD farm tractors and now have a small 4WD cut. For plowing snow it's hard to beat 4WD. Easy to have one or both rear wheels on ice, but harder to have both rears and one front. With 2wd you need chains and lots of weight. You still need the weight with 4WD but in many cases you can get by w/o the chains.

 

[28RedHorses]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What about for plowing snow ? )</font>
In my area it's 4WD and weights.

28Red

 

[Slamfire]

I never used a 2wd tractor for skiddin' logs, although my Dad seemed to do well with his 8N. My place is a whole lot steeper than his. I started with a crawler, which worked fine, but you didn't want to get on a pole while travelin' sidehill. When my neighbor blew up the engine, I got this 4wd. It had plenty of traction, but was kinda tippy. Now it works great in snow and the woods. The picture shows the reason.