Sorry, not to be argumnetative but not in your universe or anyone elses universe will a SMALL 2WD tractor pull or push as much as a SMALL 4WD tractor with or without chains. Further, 4WD is not a marketing ploy to trick people into spending more money. True enough it is not used often while mowing but every other task I use my tractors for benifits from 4WD. The BX simply will not pull the boxblade or push effectively into a dirt pile with the FEL much less dig in 2WD mode. I generally do pull my harrow in 2WD but if the ground is slightly damp--better results with the harrow---then even it needs 4WD and in this case 4WD results in LESS damage to the ground because there is no spinning. Nope, neither 4WD or power steering is a marketing trick. A 25 horsepower on a Sears lawnmower is a trick, 4WD is not. Small tractors, it is only reasonalbe to expect, would benifit the most. I also suspect, without solid proof however, that a small 2WD tractor with R1 tires would have less traction than a small 4WD with turf tires and of course chains can be used on either. The 4WD also increases stability when going up and down hills because it keeps the wheels from slipping and allows the transmission to do the braking and there have been several guys here including me who discovered that the hard way. Good luck, maybe you should look at a used JD455 or their new X series avaialble in either 2 or 4WD. J