Operating tractor in 4wd all the time?

[PILOON]

A friend loans out his B21 a lot and it gets driven on paved surfaces travelling.
As the result his fronts had to be replaced after 4-500 hrs or so.
Nobody knew how to disengage the 4x function!

 

[Username Taken]

Didn't your tractor come with a selector for 4WD/2WD?

Use it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I basically keep the tractor in 2wd unless doing loader work, for example. Or if the task at hand is just slipping the rear wheels, then pull a lever into 4wd. When I'm done... back into 2wd.

Everyones needs are different... I don't have any slopes. Usually don't have any mud that I have to operate in.... For some, being in 4wd all the time is a necessity.

For me, switching back and forth is no big deal.... it also keeps all the linkages freed up and moving...

 

[RalphVa]

If you want 4 wheel brakes, you better keep it in 4wd. It's not fun and very dangerous to go skidding down a hill with rear wheels skidding away and front ones free wheeling. Turn sideways and it'll tumble.

I only take mine out of 4wd when going down our paved driveway.

Ralph

 

[tradosaurus]

If you want 4 wheel brakes, you better keep it in 4wd. It's not fun and very dangerous to go skidding down a hill with rear wheels skidding away and front ones free wheeling. Turn sideways and it'll tumble.

I only take mine out of 4wd when going down our paved driveway.

Ralph

From the replies it sounds like I should just keep mine in 4wd since I am never on concrete or asphalt. Always on dirt or grass. I guess when I drive on my gravel driveway I could take it out of 4wd.

 

[rScotty]

Sure, that sounds good. Even if it all goes wrong, the most common 4wd "windup failure" just requires some R&R work on the front drive shaft and front U-joints. That's nothing to fear. It's an easy afternoon job well within the mechanical ability of anyone who does their own maintenance.

You probably don't get much snow there in Texarkana - but deep wet snow coupled with chains, ag tires and/or a FEL load of wet snow can put a bunch of stress on a drive train real quick too. So at least you are spared that.

A good buddy of mine - Dwight Shellman - spent a lot of time in the Texarkana area back in 2000 setting up some Caddo Lake projects.
rScotty

 

[Smokeydog]

My truck gets put into 4wd from turning into driveway till leaving, 200Kmiles. Driveway 0.5 mile so has ~20K off-road miles in 25 years. Wife’s car awd. Tractors almost always in 4wd. 450’ elevation change just on my property. 60” rain last year. 4wd required to live in paradise.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

From the replies it sounds like I should just keep mine in 4wd since I am never on concrete or asphalt. Always on dirt or grass. I guess when I drive on my gravel driveway I could take it out of 4wd.

If your grass is like ... lawn ... and you care how it looks, don't use 4WD on it, or at least try not to be turning. When I'm driving on the lawn is about the only time I bother to take it out of 4WD.

 

[bearthebruce]

The property we manage is all hill. I keep the machine in 4WD because I have slid downhill... and the seat pucker is a bit much. I have been fortunate that I have been able to get the machine under control without damage and without injury to this old man.

The only place it goes in 2WD is when on the pavement leading into the barn/garage. Driveway is gravel.. trails are mud and grass.. and we do not use the tractor for lawn work. If we go on the lawn, and we make a turn, it does tear up the lawn.

My advice if you are on hills, stay in 4WD.

 

[Cougsfan]

I'm like Bullwinkle, About the only time I ever routinely take it out of 4wd is when I am driving on a lawn and don't want to tear it up as bad. Sometimes if I am working in a tight spot, like cleaning out the horse stall, I will take it out of 4wd in order to tear up the ground less. Otherwise, 4wd is always advantageous.