Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor?

   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #21  
Of course FWD is better but certainly not necessary. 2WD drive will work just fine.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #22  
I have sold new and used 4 WD tractors for many years. I know the advantages. Biggest disadvantage that no one ever mentions is: after you get 2000-3000 hrs on one and the maintenance issues start to be a common occurrence. Lots of people will be digging deep into their pocket book on a regular basis just to keep one in the field. If you just play with one on weekends, you will never have any problems. Ken Sweet

This was on my mine when I bought our old worn out 310B backhoe this spring. Some said only get 4WD.

I do think with the backhoe there is the weight to balance about anything you can get in the bucket.

Key I thing to liking 2WD is to have a lot of experience working with their limitations and NEVER experience a 4WD.:D

Some 2WD tractors seem too light weight in the front axle for much of a FEL.

The joke years ago was the difference between 2WD and 4WD was the wrecker bill. :) I grew up in the swamps of Western KY and the lighter the better. Learned really fast Zetor's are heavier than they look when I was bushing years ago in the marsh area.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #23  
You have mixed reviews here but I think you are looking at the cut segment. If you have an 80 horse 10,000 lb. tractor I think a fel is great. But in the 50 horse cut range I think 4wd is almost a necessity. The lower weight will need the extra wheels pulling in a lot of situations. If I scoop up red dirt out of a pile with my 40 horse tractor it will just spin in 2wd, but has no problem in 4wd.
Just my 2 cents.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #24  
Anyone that doubts the capabilities of a 2wd vs 4 wd with a loader only needs to try a 4wd, and dig in pile of dirt or stone with the tractor first in 2wd, then switch to 4wd. HUGE difference. Also as noted get a really full bucket and start down a wet grassy slope in 2wd, even with weight, then try it in 4wd. You will be a believer.

By the way I never missed 4wd in a tractor or pickup - UNTIL - I owned one. Every purchase since has been 4wd.

+1 on that! Even with flat ground, I notice a huge difference between 2WD and 4WD for loader work, and that's because I forgot to put it in 4WD.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #25  
I have also used both and the 4WD is clearly better but it comes with a cost. If you carry a good amount of weight on the 3 pt hitch of a 2WD you can make up some of the difference.

Loren
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #26  
Well my 2 cents, Will a 2WD tractor with loader work? sure, I used one for many years, but it was a large heavy tractor, with loaded tires, and always had a heavy mower on the back. I moved many tons of dirt/gravel etc with it. But I was amazed by how well a 4 wheel drive CUT worked when I traded down in size and got more work done per hour. I had greater push ability and a whole lot less wheel spin. The large 2wd tractor had Loaded Ag tires and the CUT had R4 tires that were not loaded. Still the CUT would out work/push/pull the much larger 2WD tractor. go figure! To sum it up: Loader on 2WD tractor=good, Loader on 4WD tractor=Better:D
James K0UA
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #27  
I have sold new and used 4 WD tractors for many years. I know the advantages. Biggest disadvantage that no one ever mentions is: after you get 2000-3000 hrs on one and the maintenance issues start to be a common occurrence. Lots of people will be digging deep into their pocket book on a regular basis just to keep one in the field. If you just play with one on weekends, you will never have any problems. Ken Sweet

Interesting, in my area, a 2WD is rarely used by farmers who use them on a daily basis. In speaking with farmers, none have mentioned increased costs associated with FWD. When they buy new, it is always another FWD.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #28  
Like alot of folks said it depends on your land. Yes 4wd is better in some cases and 2wd is better in some cases "like mowing". You cant turn as sharp with 4wd but 4wd will give you the extra ump when you need it. I produce my own hay and load large trailers and do pasture mowing on the side. I have 3 85+ hp tractors and all are just 2wd and i have not had any problems with the preformance. And like Ken said there is add cost to maintain the 4wd vs the 2wd. I work on atleast 3 a month. The last one i just finished working on cost the customer about $3800 and it was just 4yrs old.
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #29  
I have a mid 60's IH 340 2wd w/FEL that has been in the family for almost 30 years and I've/we've never had a problem with it. It didn't have any power steering so it was a bear to turn when it was loaded, but it was way better then a wheel barrow. The key to a 2wd is rear ballast. Keep those tires filled, even add wheel weights on top of that, and of course a ballast box/counter weight needs to be on the 3 pt when using the FEL. Our driveway is a little over an 1/8th mile long with one long, huge hill. For around 25 years my father plowed the driveway with that same tractor and never had an issue with traction. There was always ballast in the tires, the counter weight on the 3 pt, and chains on the rear tires, (only in snow of course).

:cool:
 
   / Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor? #30  
The joke years ago was the difference between 2WD and 4WD was the wrecker bill. :) I grew up in the swamps of Western KY and the lighter the better. Learned really fast Zetor's are heavier than they look when I was bushing years ago in the marsh area.

Gale, I did not know about the swamps in western KY until about a month ago when I was in Wingo, KY. Ever have any dealings with a Zetor dealer in the area, "Diesel Doctor"? Ken Sweet
 
 

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