Another 2wd vs 4wd question

[jacobsdaddy06]

wow thanks for all the replies the tires will be ags or ind, alot of diff points and information from actual real world users to me is a lot more easier to hold a candle to than what a dealer says, nothing against the dealers

 

[grsthegreat]

I don't know, I've run older 2wd loader/backhoes and they were major gutless compared to the 4x4 models. I know of the issues i run into while running mine in 2wd where i suddenly lose traction, especially with a heavy loader full of gravel. I LOVE my 4x4. i would personally never buy a 2x4 compact tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

Ok as far as money goes not much diff in a 30-35 hp 4x4 with loader or 40-45 hp 2wd with loader, which for close to the same money would you buy and why?

About the only time a TBNer advises getting a 2WD tractor is when the poster's budget is pretty meager and the primary task would be snow removal (blowing or using a rear blade) and tasks related to ground engagement.
The 2WD tractors suggested would be larger, older Utility machines, not CUTs.
And, this would be due mostly to the limited budget aspect...

 

[wolc123]

It depends on your land and intended usage. My dad's farm, about 15 miles away from mine, is well drained, and he gets by fine with just 2wd tractors. At my mucky, bottomland place, I got by with 2wd tractors for many years, but I always held my largest one in reserve for the times (usually once or twice a season), when the mud got the best of the second biggest one. I would never again be without a 4wd, since getting one 6 years ago. My spring planting has got finished an average of a month earlier, and I have not been stuck since. You mentioned that the tractors have loaders and that is another big strike against the 2wd. With the 4wd, that weight ahead of the front axle adds to your overall traction force potential, unlike the 2wd where it subtracts from it. I always leave that loader on my 4wd when I am doing risky field work, and there has been several occasions, where I have used it to pull or push myself out when I manged to loose traction on all 4 driven tires. A 2wd tractor cant even get out of its own way in mud with a loader hanging off the front, which forces you to pull it off before trying to do any serious field work. Another thing to consider is fuel usage. I will guess that any job involving loader work, or operation in soft ground (tilled or mud) is going to take around 25% more fuel if using a 2wd tractor compared to 4wd. That there is the main reason we are not likely to see any big 2wd tractors doing serious tillage operations any time soon. There is a steep energy price to pay for pushing a dead axle thru the soft ground. If all you are doing is mowing and/or hay and never have to contend with mud then the larger 2wd may work for you.

 

[Smallplot]

Sounds like this question is nagging at you already. If you have the means to get the 4wd, I say go for it. You will always have the questing nagging at the back of your mind if you get a 2wd anyway.

There have been a lot of good points made but you will have to live with your decision either way. Besides, I don't remember the last time someone complained about having something that may be more than they need. The complaint comes when they don't have enough.

 

[IndyIan]

Ok as far as money goes not much diff in a 30-35 hp 4x4 with loader or 40-45 hp 2wd with loader, which for close to the same money would you buy and why?

I went for the 40hp 4wd with a loader... Its only money:laughing:
Really 2wd makes about 2/3 my 100 acres unsafe to get to or travel on, so I had no real choice. If I had a level dry lot I would've got a bigger 2wd machine and chains for winter like some of my neighbors.
I justified it as a 20-30+ year investment and you'll find yourself doing things with 4wd that aren't possible with a 2wd machine.

 

[Redneck in training]

Another aspect of using 4WD versus 2WD is braking on hilly terrain. Most tractors have brakes on rear axle only. When going downhill even on moderate slope with moderate load in the bucket the 2WD tractor can loose traction and just slide downhill with very little control from the driver. In fact it happened to me with empty bucket when I didn't have 4WD engaged. Almost flipped the tractor when I reached the bottom of the slope way faster than I wanted. Trust me. After it happens first time you don't want it to happen second time. If your land has slopes and you have FEL don't even think about 2WD.

 

[tessiers]

sorry more specific for example JD 3320 vs a 5045d, just trying to see what everyones opinion is on a compact utilty 4x4 vs a utility 2wd with loaders, for the money what would you buy? thanks

Thats like comparing a ford ranger to a superduty. The 5045 will out pull the 3320 all day long with a loader or not. If I was doing yard work and maintaining a property I would choose the 3320, if farming or any heavy work I would choose the 5045. I have a 2005 JD 790 that is awsome for little chores around the barn, however when I go to the field I climb on my old Farmall H, or even the Ford NAA, both of which outweigh the JD by about double. All three are about equal in the HP department.

 

[deere5105]

There is no comparison to the 4WD. I had a JD 5105 2WD which is very similar to the 5045. It did what I needed, but would spin with ground engaing equipment even with tires loaded. I added a FEL to it and enjoyed it, but as mentioned was limited in what I could do with it. I didn't realize how much limitation there was until I traded it on JD 5303 4WD. It is night and day difference and as others have said, I wouldn't want anything else without the 4WD. I do recommend when looking or ordering to go with the very largest rear tire sizes available. This will help some. Also as mentioned, the two tractors mentioned really aren't comparable even if both are 4WD. If all you did was hayfield work the 2WD would be fine, but even then you would probably want to go larger and the moving of bales still benefits from 4WD.

 

[jenkinsph]

I also would vote for the 4x4 tractors, if what you feel you need is the 5045 then get the 5045E. The 4x4 tractors are much less likely to get stuck from my experience.