Is Full Time Use of 4WD a Problem?

[SmokemanGRP]

I have a Kubota L3800 with HST. A neighbor who has used tractors and heavy equipment for many years suggested that I use 2 wheel drive whenever possible and only use the 4 wheel drive when necessary. Since purchasing it new in 2011 I have always left it in 4 wheel drive all the time. I have 110 hours on it. The rear tires are loaded with antifreeze if that makes a difference in this case. It is never used on pavement, other than parking it in the garage, always dirt or gravel.

What do you guys recommend?

 

[RoyJackson]

I leave mine in 2WD unless I have a need for 4WD.
I see no good reason for putting more wear and tear on the front axle.

 

[k0ua]

As long as you are not operating on hard surfaces then I don't see a problem with leaving it in 4wd. Keep in mind ALL of the drive line components still rotate in a tractor in 2WD including the drive shaft as it is all driven by friction of the front wheels with the ground. There are no "locking hubs" or any way to disconnect the drive line components except at the rear connection point. If you use it in 4wd on the pavement, you will accelerate tire wear, and perhaps some component wear due to binding when turning. My tractors have pretty much stayed in 4wd except when on pavement but even then sometimes with our steep hills I have to leave the tractor in 4wd when I have a heavy load in the bucket and descending a steep hill to prevent the rear wheels from slipping and the tractor running away. If you are not noticing the torque binding when turning then I would say leave it in 4WD. I cannot go up and down a lot of hills in our yard without it. A 2WD tractor would be useless where I live.

 

[vetteman46]

Hi SmokemanGRP,
Many people will probably suggest using 4WD only when needed because of the wear issue. I have an old Yanmar 135D that I've used for 20 years or so. It has been in 4WD the whole time and I've never had a drivetrain problem.
I recently purchased a new Kubota B2320 and when asked, the dealer rep. suggested using the FWD only when needed and so I've been switching to 2-wheel when possible, but for most of what I do I need all wheels churning so I'm not losing any sleep over it. BTW, all tires are loaded on both my tractors. I don't think loading is a factor.
Mike

 

[Gary Fowler]

Always put your tractor in 2 WD before tracking onto a hard surface. On my Kubota B26 and RTV900, they have a mechanical lever to move and if I wait till they are on hard ground to try to shift, the lever is hard or impossible to move till I put in reverse and back up a bit which tells me that there is a lot of pressure on the drive train when in 4 WD on hard surfaces which cant be good.

That said, I usually keep my B26 TLB in 4 WD all the time unless I am on highway which is very rare. Actually I had to look for the lever when I put it on the road a few weeks ago, first time in almost 2 years of ownership that it has not been in 4 WD. The R4 tires spin pretty easily so it doesn't put much pressure on the drive train on grass. I don't think it hurts them as long as you are on grass or soft dirt so the wheels can slip easily.

I take my LS P7010 out of 4 WD when not needed because 1) it has R1 tires that tear up the ground a bit in short turns due to the outside tire needing to spin a bit and 2) it has a bit shorter turning radius when in 2 wd but when using the FEL or pulling a disc, I have to have it in 4 WD for it to be of much use.

 

[vetteman46]

Hi again,
Like kOua, I'm negotiating steep slopes regularly, often with a loaded trailer. I'm never on pavement for any more than 100 yards or so, so the issue of front/rear drive ratio on hard surfaces isn't a concern for me. Right now, blowing snow on a sloping driveway, I need all the traction I can get.

That reminds me - gotta blow! BYE!

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what k0ua said, we have a lot of hills and run 4WD a lot. Our propert is separated bt a quarter mile road and one field 3/4 a mile, so we put it in 2WD between fields. You DO NOT want to forget to engage 4WD and start down a pond levy with a loaded bucket in 2WD, trust me.

 

[k0ua]

Pretty much what k0ua said, we have a lot of hills and run 4WD a lot. Our propert is separated bt a quarter mile road and one field 3/4 a mile, so we put it in 2WD between fields. You DO NOT want to forget to engage 4WD and start down a pond levy with a loaded bucket in 2WD, trust me.

Even I forget sometimes and start down a paved road with a load in 2wd and the gravel on the road surface "reminds" me.. As Homer Simpson would say "WOOO-HOO"

 

[Bluegill2]

Mine stays in 2wd most of the time. Only use 4wd when needed.

 

[buickanddeere]

Not a issue to worry about unless turning sharp on hard dry surfaces with a load on.