Traction MFWD or 2wd?

Duffster · Dec 30, 2011

I am a bit of a fan of 2WD. UNLESS it is primarily a loader tractor.

Unless you are trying to farm several hundred acres with that tractor you probably won't/don't need to buy implements big enough to notice a difference in traction.

Yes resale will be better with 4WD but probably not enough to cover carrying costs. If you really need the pulling power you can spend the extra 10k 4WD will cost you and spend it on a bigger tractor. Then you have the power on the PTO and when on the road as well.

Victory Pete · Dec 30, 2011

Have you ever heard of a "2 legged Mule"? Good luck in your decision and Happy New Year!

VP

JD 4520 · Dec 30, 2011

beenthere said:
Where are you from?
If no hills, then maybe debatable. But if hills, then MFWD.

As stated By beenthere, hills are a big factor and MFWD necessary for this reason alone. Don't learn the hard way.

scrappy isb67 · Dec 30, 2011

a 2wd and MFWD in the same size tractor will turn nearly the same. JD's caster action frontend design and the 100 hp area tractors are "sculpted" like was mentioned previously makes them turn very sharply. so unless you are trying to pull a single basket rake, turning radius shouldn't be a factor. IMHO, a 2wd is a dinosaur, and what you are going to spend to buy the tractor to begin with, MFD is not that much more. while I was growing up, we baled with a 3588 (articulated 4wd) and never had issues with turn radius and the JD MFWD's turn shorter than it did.

D7E · Dec 30, 2011

SVaughn said:
radman1 mentioned earlier that I should drive a MFWD to see if it would work. My neighbor used to use a John Deere 7210 MFWD with loader to roll hay, but bought a 6615 2wd a few years ago and now uses the 6615 for rolling, drilling seed, etc. When I asked his daughter why he did so, she told me that the MFWD would "bounce" too much and that it was harder to steer.

Load of rubbish , 4x4 larger tyres smooth the ride more and steer/travel easier in loose dirt .

Bigfoot62 · Dec 30, 2011

I bought my last 2wd tractor nearly 20 years ago, and replaced it with a MFWD in 2003. I still have one 2wd, but that's mostly because it was my Dad's, and it's handy for a few jobs, like pulling the finish mower, broadcasting seed, and pulling a one-row planter.

I harvest about 55 acres of hay meadow for myself, and another 35 acres for a neighbor. I use MFWD tractors exclusively. I've never had a problem with turning radius. The hay rake or baler will limit your turning radius more than the MFWD will.

The ONLY way I would even consider a 2wd tractor in the future, is if (a) it would never be fitted with a loader and (b) I would still have my two MFWD's for "real" work.

Robert_in_NY · Dec 30, 2011

For haying I like 2wd and prefer it as it will turn tighter. For tillage work I prefer FWA. This last year I needed FWA to hay as there were wet spots that the kicker wagon wanted to sink in (it wasn't a good year).

I don't know your operation if you are a one tractor farm or are just adding a tractor to your fleet so I will just say this, if your main use is haying with just a little tillage go with the 2wd if that will work for you. If your doing a lot of tillage then I would want FWA.

What I like to do for haying is rake with the same tractor/same size tractor that I will use to bale. Its not always an option but if you do then you know your baler will do fine with the windrows as your windrows are made with the wider turn radius of the FWA tractor so their easier to follow.

D7E · Dec 31, 2011

For the grain we run articulted tractors and have several fwa's for lighter work along side the 2wd's. In our app a fwa is essential for spraying to get it done when conditions would'nt normally allow it . If we were exclusiveley hay i would'nt even think about a fwa as regardless of brand it is more headaches somewhere down line and not worth the expense but a lot of you guys are'nt putting 500 hours a year on tractors so maybe a non issue .
Turning circle is a non issue too as our fwa's will turn far shorter than the PTO angle will allow on many machines .
But european model tractors have generally been pretty much standard FWA since the 80's and are generally shy'd away from due to their spec and can be bought cheap in NA ...good buys in my opinion !

Duffster · Dec 31, 2011

It seems few take into account the upfront purchase price of 4WD. It would seem even less acount for the increased operating expense of 4WD.

Bigfoot62 · Dec 31, 2011

Duffster said:
It seems few take into account the upfront purchase price of 4WD. It would seem even less acount for the increased operating expense of 4WD.

It's worth it, for me anyway.
IIRC, it was about a $5000 option. That's a small price to pay for not being stuck, and for not spinning tires when pulling plows, discs, etc. Also, as already mentioned, when using a loader, the value of MFWD is immeasurable.

What "increased operating expense" are you talking about?
I can see that front tire replacement would cost a little more, or IF you had front driveline failure. But, I've never had a front driveline failure on a MFWD tractor. In fact, I don't know of anyone that has. A buddy of mine had the bearings and seals replaced in the front end of his MFWD tractor this year. It's a big Ford that's 25 years old and has over 5000 hours on it. He also had the engine rebuilt. I think that's just normal wear.
However, I do know of a BUNCH of 2wd tractors that have broken axles, busted bearings, snapped tie rod ends, etc. That's the difference between the 2wd and MFWD tractors when you run a loader on them.

JMHO