Advice on Mahindra 7520. 2WD or 4WD?

[meyerwc]

I am considering purchasing a new Mahindra 7520 but I am not convinced that I need 4WD. I currently have a Ford 9600 with an FEL and a Case 1490. Both are 2WD.

I have found that FELs can cause a lot of issues on a tractor so I plan on keeping my Ford just for the FEL. I have also found that the more HP the tractor has the more damage that is done to the FEL or the tractor. Lots of bent steel and broken bolts.

The Mahindra will replace my Case 1490 to do heavy mowing and to turn some occasional dirt (harrow, cultivator, etc..).

The big question is will the 4WD be worth the extra money for the type of work I will be doing?

I live in Kansas and do not have any swamp ground.

I prefer a tight turning radius. Does anyone have a problem with the turning radius on the 4WD?

Please reply.

Thank you.

 

[fish_wisperer]

im suprised nobody has commented, my tractor is not that big, i have a 4500 2wd. i have pushed it to the limit with dirt work and digging out a couple stumps and havent hurt anything on my fel but i dont deal with big rocks and things like that, so far its only removed paint. of course the ML260 loader goes on tractors up to 65 hp and mine is 42 but it does weigh alot.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

meyerwc, I can not imagine only having 2wd. The tractor is twice the machine in 4wd. Front axle weight, 3170 lbs, rear 4180 lbs. This is without any added weight of any kind. If you haven't used a 4wd before, then you really need to try one out for yourself. Having all that extra traction of 4wd is really nice. As far as the turning of the 7520, I don't have any problems, but then I don't really have any tight places that I use it in. Any other questions, let us know and we will try to answer them.

Oh, and welcome to TBN.

Brian

 

[Fredex]

I have an acquaintance who owns 2 7520's, one 4WD, the other 2WD. The 4WD gets the heavy traction work; tillage, etc. He grows a few hundred acres of corn & soybeans - annual low-till type work. So I would say that 4WD is a benefit for heavy work IF the equipment being pulled (or pushed) can handle the extra power delivery. It is easier to break things with 4WD.
The 2WD has turning radius of 10.5 feet; 13 ft. for 4WD according to Mahindra's web site.
Fred

 

[Tim_in_IA]

if you are using the 7520 for heavy pulling such as discing or other ground engagement I could see the 4wd being a huge plus. With my 65004wd there are several occasions where I will kick it into 4wd for that extra pull. Reduces slip and puts more of that hp to the ground. Also with the loader it helps get a little more dig in when the restistance is high.

I don't know for sure about higher hp causing more damage to the loader. As long as the loader is matched to the tractor and the operator is using it responsibly I don't see any issue.

If you already have a loader on your other tractor that you are comfortable with then you may save some cash if you don't need it on both. It is really up to you.