Can I leave my Kubota 3901 in 4WD?

[RickB]

Fully agree with the above advice. The only time that I ensure that I'm in 2WD is when I'm 'on the road', which basically means that you are 'at speed' (high revs+high range+pedal to the metal).

At speed or on hard, dry surfaces.

 

[Egon]

I let traction be my guide and only turn on 4WD when I need it. Less ground damage and less wear and tear on the tractor that way.

Try this method. You. Will soon know where four wheel drive helps. There are situations where four wheel drive does not turn as easily as the two wheel drive.

 

[TerryR]

I live on similar property. The only level spot outside the barn is a small yard in front of it.

My recommendation: Never take it out of 4WD except when you go onto a hard surface, like pavement. Trying to remember when to put it in or out will sooner or later lead to finding yourself in 2WD when you shouldn't be and in trouble.

My JD 870 has been in 4WD for over 20 years except only when I have it on the paved road. In that time maybe it wore my front tires a bit faster, but they were starting to rot anyway and needed replacing a couple of years ago.

 

[mpsmith60]

My property is mostly quite rugged and hilly, so I leave it in 4WD most of the time, except when driving on pavement. Every now and then I'll leave it in 2WD and soon I am reminded why I am so glad I got a 4WD tractor!

 

[Ortimber]

Leave in 4wd unless you are on hard surfaces. It’s better to have it in 4wd and not need it, vs the other way around.

Someone mentioned driveline wind up. This is a non issue. 45 years of farming with 4wd tractors, not once have I ever experienced that. Never really heard anyone have that happen with a tractor. 4wd pickup w/ lockers, and mismatched tires = yes!

Front tire and unusually high wear on driveline components, also a non issue in my experience.

 

[bearthebruce]

I learned the hard way by having our Massey Ferg in 2wd when working hills.. It only took one time for me to always check if I am in 4wd when I climb the hills with our 5' brush hog on the back. That "Oh S$^t" moment when I turned downhill cured me! Talk about seat pucker!

I have read many posts on TBN where this has been argued back and forth. My advice is on flat paved road, go 2wd.. but on all other surfaces - leave it in 4wd. You may not be like me cause I am old, dumb, and only have 300 hours on one of these beasts. I never ever want to forget again!

One other point: since you are doing hills, do check your brakes often - as in every time you start working the hills.. check 'em before you need 'em!

 

[Smokeydog]

Similar conditions with hilly property. Keep multiple tractors, atvs, trucks in 4x4 drive while on the farm. Safer, less damage to property and equipment. On the tractors have not noted any abnormal wear or damage of the four wheel drive components over 30 years and thousands of hours of use. Be sure to follow your maintenance schedules.

 

[repete]

Try this method. You. Will soon know where four wheel drive helps. There are situations where four wheel drive does not turn as easily as the two wheel drive.

"I let traction be my guide and only turn on 4WD when I need it. Less ground damage and less wear and tear on the tractor that way."

I agree fully. As your front tires wear the ratio will be different between the front and the rear. The fronts will wear even faster as they get smaller in diameter than the rears, especially if your rears are loaded. Also, if you want to see if it is a load on the tractor, just do a tight circle on gravel in and out of 4WD. When my little 2550 is in 4WD, it is obvious to me.

I have also replaced the driveline to the front end due to wear. Too much 4WD is my assumption as the spline was gone. But bear in mind that I have nearly 6000 hours on this unit. And not just lawn mowing although that is some of it.

BTW, I do like the IH584 as it uses a clutch to engage the 4WD, I can shift in and out on the fly but it takes an arm to overcome the clutch pressure to disengage.

 

[k0ua]

My property is mostly quite rugged and hilly, so I leave it in 4WD most of the time, except when driving on pavement. Every now and then I'll leave it in 2WD and soon I am reminded why I am so glad I got a 4WD tractor!

Exactly. If I had a 2WD tractor, it would be at the bottom of one of my hills, and there it would stay. A 2WD tractor would be useless here.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a 3301, which is the next step down from the OP's tractor. The only time I take it out is when running up and down the gravel road in front of my house... if I don't the tractor soon "reminds" me, as I can feel it binding. (hi range, 2000 RPMs.)
On uneven ground waiting until you need it is a recipe for disaster; about the time the rear looses traction and you start sliding, it's too late. And that gear box isn't exactly synchroed.