Front End Loader on a 2WD Tractor?

[Dargo]

We have 85 hp loader tractors at each facility and 1 more on the farm. All 2 wheel drive with FEL and no problems. What did people do before 4 wheel drive? Ken Sweet

That's simple; they were far, far less productive with their machines. I can make my 4wd tractor a 2wd with the push of a button. I do not know one single person who would prefer using an FEL in 2wd when you can have 4wd. Period. I operated an end loader with a 12 yard bucket on the front of it. It was a beast of a machine. Fill the bucket and disengage the front wheels and it was a pig that was useless.

That explains why others comment that it's very rare to see anyone sell a 2wd tractor with an FEL anymore. Unless the FEL is for looks only, having the front wheels pull would help in every application of an FEL. Can I drive out my driveway with 12" of snow covering it? Actually, yes, but it takes a very long time and is hard on equipment and my driveway. Does it make it easier to drive out of my driveway if all the snow is cleared and it's dry concrete? Of course. It's about the same difference with using an FEL on a 2wd tractor vs a 4wd tractor. Can you do it? Yes. Is it very efficient or even safe? Nope.

 

[TripleR]

Unless you are comparing two vehicles of the same weight/distribution and tires with one equipped with 2WD and one 4WD, the whole 2WD v 4WD seems meaningless.

 

[Dargo]

A 2 wd tractor and front end loader will make you smarter...At least when it comes to tractor operation and safety.

Yes it will. It will teach you that you are in big trouble if you want to use it on a slope. I completely disagree with your "safety" thought. A 4wd tractor is far safer to operate an FEL with than a 2wd. How do those front brakes work for you when you need to stop a 2wd tractor with a load in the bucket? Your "novice" operator doesn't know his only option is to drop his load. He'll keep standing on the brakes and the tractor will continue to pick up speed as long as it's going down a slope.

 

[Dargo]

Unless you are comparing two vehicles of the same weight/distribution and tires with one equipped with 2WD and one 4WD, the whole 2WD v 4WD seems meaningless.

How can you?? As soon as you pick up a load in an FEL your weight distribution changes greatly. That's why 2wd tractors don't stop going down hills with a load nor are able to back up any incline with a load in the bucket.

 

[sweettractors]

Unless you are comparing two vehicles of the same weight/distribution and tires with one equipped with 2WD and one 4WD, the whole 2WD v 4WD seems meaningless.

Most of the farm tractors here, with FEL only move round bales of hay, We hardley ever sell a bucket with a loader anymore. Don't need the extra traction for feeding cows rolled hay here. I have a new 6 ft Allied QT bucket that has not been on in 15 years. Ken Sweet

 

[jlsmith]

That explains why others comment that it's very rare to see anyone sell a 2wd tractor with an FEL anymore. Unless the FEL is for looks only, having the front wheels pull would help in every application of an FEL.

Funny you say that. I sell alot to 2wd tractors with FEL that are used in the field everday. I have hay customers that wont even touch a 4wd tractor much less put one in a hay field. It all depends on what your wanting the tractor for weither to get 2wd or 4wd. I only have 2wd tractors and do alot with them and never have i had a need for 4wd. And yes all my big tractors have loaders.:thumbsup:

 

[rjkobbeman]

No, it was fair, he had 4 wheel drive and I was handicapped with only had 2 wheel drive. To made it even, I would have needed 4 WD and he could have added however much weight he wanted. Ken Sweet

No, the comparison was not equal. You are touting your 2wd as being better than 4wd.

If there was a true apples-to-apples comparison, with the exception of one has 2wd and one has 4wd, the 4wd would have won.

It is about traction. In your situation your 2wd had better traction than the other guy's 4wd.

I'm sure a 100 HP 2wd tractor with ags will out put a 50 HP 4wd tractor with turfs... but that really isn't a good comparison of 2wd vs 4wd capabilities.

This thread after all is talking about 2wd vs 4wd abilities -- sort of, we kind of got off track a little from the OP FEL concern.

Taking your truck against a 4wd version of your truck, with everything else being equal (tires, gearing, engine, weight, etc.) would have yielded different results. Heck, just moving the weight from your truck to his probably would have made a big difference.

 

[Dargo]

That explains why others comment that it's very rare to see anyone sell a 2wd tractor with an FEL anymore. Unless the FEL is for looks only, having the front wheels pull would help in every application of an FEL.

Funny you say that. I sell alot to 2wd tractors with FEL that are used in the field everday. I have hay customers that wont even touch a 4wd tractor much less put one in a hay field. It all depends on what your wanting the tractor for weither to get 2wd or 4wd. I only have 2wd tractors and do alot with them and never have i had a need for 4wd. And yes all my big tractors have loaders.:thumbsup:

Yup, and I never saw a use for an air ratchet in the shop either until we found that we could do 4X the work using one. Never had any use for one before. Couldn't take nearly as many customers in a day before either :thumbsup:

Clearly you don't have 2wd "big tractors" with 12 yard buckets loading trucks all day either. What kind of "big tractors" you talking about that wouldn't improve FEL work with the front tires pulling? I only know of one kind; those running on tracks.

 

[Duffster]

2wd with a loader is preferred by many for in hay fields.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I have hay customers that wont even touch a 4wd tractor much less put one in a hay field. It all depends on what your wanting the tractor for weither to get 2wd or 4wd. I only have 2wd tractors and do alot with them and never have i had a need for 4wd. And yes all my big tractors have loaders.:thumbsup:

Having a need for (or not having a need for) 4wd and arguing (or giving the impression) that 2wd is just as capable is totally different.

4wd (anything) is/are more capable than the equivalent 2wd. Please try and explain where I am wrong...

Someone in the thread made a good point, 4wd (most anything -- barring some exceptions) are 2wd with a flip of a switch/lever. Are you saying capability goes DOWN when you turn ON 4wd?

Again, nobody is putting down 2wd. I just can't quietly sit while I read some give the impression that 2wd is better than 4wd. If a guy wants to buy 2wd, all the power to him. Just don't say they can do more with 2wd or 4wd is bad.