Is 4WD necessary?

[keegs]

Sticking with Mahindra, the 5530 is stretching it. The 4025 and 5010 are two 4wd models within my price range. The 5010 is lighter but with more HP than the 4025. I think both are 4 cyl diesels. I spent this past summer putting up a garage for it. Bonuses are distributed in Feb. so I'm looking at March or April to buy. I'm on the southern end of the County.

 

[davel8257]

What about a choice of tires? I've owned a small Ford (2wd) tractor with AG tires. It did a great job as long as you were going forward. If you had to back up -- good luck, they'd spin. My new tractor has industrial tires and is 4WD. I've not been in snow with it. It seems to want to slip on wet grass if I'm only in 2WD. Pop the lever into 4WD, no spin -- just go (forward or backward). The industrial tires haven't left much of an impression on the ground (but it's been dry this summer). I'm not sure I'd be happy with industrial tires on a 2WD tractor.

 

[AchingBack]

keegs, my big question - how is the land presently being taken care of? Are you hiring it done by people who own 2wd, or 4wd tractors? Since you are new to tractors, why not try renting some, and see what you think about their performance on your land. Perhaps it isn't possible to rent such large tractors. Around my neighborhood the rental yards have only smaller units.

 

[Jim Dodgins]

I agree that looking at a smaller 4x4 model may be a good idea. Size is only relative to what your doing, bigger isn't always better.

 

[keegs]

AchingBack,

A neighbor who ran a beef operation was harvesting the hay with a JD tractor but I can't honestly say I know if it was two or four wheel drive. He's retired now.

I've been running ads in CR and have a sign out front but no takers yet. I imagine that someone will be interested sooner or later. But even with someone harvesting it, there's enough cutting and other chores left to do that I need a tractor.

There's a rental outfit about 20 miles from our place. He has a JD 4wd that looks to be about 50hp. I think for about $500 dollars I could rent it with a brush hog for a day with pickup and delivery. That's not a bad idea really. I just hope I'm not persuaded right off the bat that I must have a 4wd. :laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

You have under 100 acres according to your profile...I have just over 200. I use a 50 hp tractor, no row crops, have done hay and grassland prep and all sorts of chores around the place. I ALWAYS leave my tractor in 4wd, when I take it out for a road trip and forget to put it back, it's about 10 minutes until some task reminds me why I have it in 4wd always. I know it costs some $ now, but over the many years you will have the tractor, it will pay for itself in the additional tasks you can get done and the speed and safety that it provides.

If you don't have it, you will often be compensating for the lack. If you do have it, you just get on with the work to be done. That's my :2cents:

 

[powerpace]

I have owned both. I have a 4WD now and I never ever wish I had a 2WD.

 

[hodge]

I have owned both. I have a 4WD now and I never ever wish I had a 2WD.

My dad always had 2WD tractors. Once he bought a 4WD Ford 3930, he wouldn't consider going back. I am on my first, and wouldn't consider buying a 2WD. I run a compact Kubota, and 4WD is necessary for my land. I don't know the statistics, but I would imagine that the manufacturers sell many more 4WD than 2WD, for good reason. And, how many 2WD backhoes do you see anymore? 4WD is safer, and opens up more opportunities.
I am surprised that the price difference is that wide- have you compared other brands, to see how their prices compare?

 

[groundcover]

I too grew up with big two wheel drives. Put a loader on and even with loaded R1's and chains a small 4x4 tractor could run circles around it. If it puts rubber on the ground I want it pullin !:thumbsup:
I would look around for a late model trade to stay in your price comfort zone, I have gone new and used and been very happy both ways. Good luck.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Looking at your pictures I would say 4wd. I can't imagine having one tractor (have 10), but if I could find a way to have a second (I buy quality used), I would have one of each.

 

[keegs]

Thanks Guys...someone mentioned how versatile tractors have become over the years and I guess a part of that is the prevalence of 4wd. I suppose it boils down to, if you want the versatility offered in today's utility tractors, you're going to have to pay for it.

It's oftentimes helpful to have this kind of discussion to sort it all out and to get other's perspectives. I much appreciate all your inputs.

Winter is setting in so we won't be making any trips up to the farm for a few months. In the mean time I'm going to continue chewing this over..maybe take another ride out to Bloomsberg and look at the 5010.

Kind regards to you all and thanks again.. Chris K.

 

[wcampbell47]

If your property is always dry and it never rains, never going to do any FEL work, only going to pull mowers and plows then you may be happy with 2WD. If your property get wet and it rains and you are going to do FEL work at all then you are just spinning your wheels with 2WD. If you are going 50hp 2WD then just about any 40hp 4WD will do the same work and more.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I'm wondering what work you are going to do that requires 50 HP. Consider what pto operations, what loader lift requirements you have, and how much plowing and discing you will need to do. That should give you an idea of HP and traction requirements.

You may be able to trade HP for 4wd for same $.

 

[texasjohn]

Thanks Guys...someone mentioned how versatile tractors have become over the years and I guess a part of that is the prevalence of 4wd. I suppose it boils down to, if you want the versatility offered in today's utility tractors, you're going to have to pay for it. /QUOTE]

I couldn't have said it better...exactly:thumbsup:

 

[bullbreaker]

We have never owned a 4 wheel for our farms. I have seen a couple times in the last 50 + yrs that one would have been handy. Ken Sweet

And here I thought all this time "Old Maude" was four wheel drive ! :laughing:

Boone

(sorry Ken could'nt help it) :thumbsup: Wishing You All the Best Holiday season comeing up !

 

[s219]

The biggest factor to me is that 4WD improves traction, both under power and braking. The braking part is even more important in my experience, especially when using the front loader. It makes a huge difference in control and stability.

As far as general traction, I tend to leave my tractor in 2WD most of the time but use 4WD whenever the ground is remotely wet, snowy, or muddy, or if there are any hills or obstacles. It's amazing how little it takes to get a 2WD tractor spinning a tire, and once that happens you're on the way to making the problem worse. And it can get worse in a heartbeat. So in certain conditions, I know to avoid the problem in the first place by preemptively putting it in 4WD.

Some of the cases where the forward traction of 4WD is a must in my experience are loader work where you are pushing into a pile to pick up material, pulling a box blade or other ground-engaging implement in the back, using ropes/cables for tree work (always with a pulley to redirect the pull for safety), and driving onto a trailer in wet weather with implements.

 

[mike69440]

4WD is nessary, maybe a bit less when you have a backhoe, as the BH is used to get you out of stuck situations. For my needs 4WD is essential, and my BH saved me countless tow calls. over hard surfaces, the hoe can take on almost same terrain as a track hoe.

 

[JerryK]

4 by 4 is not necessary, nor is a tractor for that matter. You can do lots of work if you have the time and a good shovel, hoe, rake, etc. A tractor is a convience, just like a car, truck, etc... something else to take care of and keep in good shape. It is also usually a long term investment. It is real easy to spend endless hours/days/years contemplating your purchase. You have to think about your current a future needs, and also if this is just a stepping stone tractor in the path of life... Me, I went with bigger and heavier than I need, and even threw in the hoe... 'cuz I knew I would never buy one later... What I am trying to say, sometimes frugal is not the best path for a tractor purchase.... but to each his own. For me, 4 by 4 is a no-brainer...

 

[TripleR]

If 4WD was truly necessary, no one would be able to make and sell 2WD tractors.

 

[yanmars]

Since I have hills and FELs I would not be comfortable with a 2wd.