Noob question 4 wheel drive

[Hay Dude]

Tell you what, drive a tractor at full speed on the road and make a panic stop cause some jack wagon cuts you off.
If you slam unlocked brake pedals and only hit one, you in heap big trouble.

 

[Hay Dude]

Another accident waiting to happen is on hills. If you unlock brake pedals and forget to re-lock working on hills, and one were to turn to the left down the hill and hit the left brake pedal by mistake, it could roll the tractor.
On flat ground to assist turning, on headlands, or in between trees is fine, otherwise best to leave them locked.

 

[Boeing]

I agree with "J". My land is quite hilly and I frequently have gravel or dirt in the fel. If I'm not in 4wd almost any braking will slid ONE of the rear wheels. Also going down my steep gravel drive I find that 4wd keeps the speed down better and allows braking, if needed, to not lock up rear wheels.