Opinion between two tractors

[jcmseven]

Farm,

I do not disagree with you on the point that 2wd tractors have a purpose. I also know well that all tractors sell OK so long as they have been well-maintained and are fairly-priced. Where I live and in most surrounding areas to my locale, 2wd machines are very hard to move in the compact sizes. Maybe in flatter areas or for folks who are using them for crop work or are buying machines that are larger than a true compact, 2wd machines might offer fewer comprimises than they would here, so I doubt any of us could be totally confident in that fact. To me, part of resale is clientele and in this area of the country 2wd compacts are dead. MFWD is all anyone seems to want and that is for what they ask. Our poster asked initially whether a 2wd or MFWD would offer better resale and which would hold the resale best in a compact tractor. The answer to this depends I suppose on who comes to look, but here, and in most places near here, there would be some waiting involved and most likely some price reduction involved in the sale of a 2wd tractor in THIS SIZE RANGE. Now, going larger I think the difference is reduced. I am not demeaning 2wd tractors nor those that have them, their simplicity and ruggedness has survived many years, but I still feel MFWD machines have more inherant value for resale and have seen such firsthand.

John M

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Oh, and the wet grass, next time I'm on a golf course and a tractor can't make it up a small hill with turf tires because it's 2WD, I'll send you a video.

No that's scientific evidence for sure.... (he said with a great deal of sarcasm)

Funny too I might add. I'm headed out this afternoon to play a round with my wife at a course near here. Maybe you've hear of it..... Valhalla.... Site of, among other things, the 2008 Ryder Cup. It's a VERY hilly course, watered quite frequently, and mowed just about every day like any good golf course. Roughs and semi-roughs mowed with 2wd tractors. (fairways mowed with fairway mowers, ALSO 2wd)

But maybe wet grass is made different where you live at. (Again, sarcasm indicator light a'flashin' !)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

[hey, doesn't less abuse improve re-sale!].

Only in certain parts of the country by some reports.....

 

[JerryG]

There are three dealerships that I go to quite often. They all seem to keep 2wds that are in good shape for less time than they do 4wds. If they aren't in good shape it seems to be the opposite. There is no problem selling 2wds in this area what so ever. The farmers have 4wds, but they have far more 2wds. You will be hard pressed to find a Ranchette owner with 2wd.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I'm certainly not really qualified to speak on this, but it could be that both sides can be right. I think the size of the tractor has to be considered. I think perhaps that a smaller CUT with 2wd might not sell as well as a 4wd, but that in Utility tractors, the difference wouldn't matter as much. A lot of work has been done with larger 2wd tractors with large wheels, and lots of people know that........

 

[LoneCowboy]

You can always run your 4wd in 2wd mode. (I do it all the time on flat ground)
but you can't put your 2wd tractor in 4wd mode.

More options.

 

[crbr]

You can always run your 4wd in 2wd mode. (I do it all the time on flat ground)
but you can't put your 2wd tractor in 4wd mode.

More options.

I'm starting to like your way of thinking. Even on flat ground...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You can always run your 4wd in 2wd mode. (I do it all the time on flat ground)
but you can't put your 2wd tractor in 4wd mode.

More options.

Still, that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the question in the original post. You don't get that 4wd for free. The question was, which nets the best return on investment when you sell? There is no hard and fast across the board answer. It depends on the brand, the model, Hours on the clock, and the over-all CONDITION when you go to sell, for either 2wd OR 4wd.

For ages, I've done what some claim you HAVE to have 4wd to do, and I've done it without any trouble at all....mostly on 2wds. And done that with a much lower initial investment. In just about every case, I've been able to get my money back (or turn a profit) after years of use. I got my money back out of the mfwd tractor I bought and sold, but no greater (or no less) of a percentage of the original new purchase price based of 2wd or 4wd option.

At first I thought many 4wd owners replying to this thread were missing the point. More and more I'm convinced they're typically AVOIDING the point as the answer isn't what they want to hear.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm certainly not really qualified to speak on this, but it could be that both sides can be right. I think the size of the tractor has to be considered. I think perhaps that a smaller CUT with 2wd might not sell as well as a 4wd, but that in Utility tractors, the difference wouldn't matter as much. A lot of work has been done with larger 2wd tractors with large wheels, and lots of people know that........

Maybe you are qualified, as you seem to be looking at both sides of the coin, rather than simply rationalizing your purchase. I'm not trying to say 2wds sell better than 4wds. I'm not saying they are worth more. What I AM saying is there isn't a carved in stone rule that says 4wds bring a better return on original investment.

And yes, there are quite a few of us that don't see the logic in using a smaller, underpowered tractor to do what a much simpler, much less expensive, easier to maintain tractor with enough hp to do the job we need to do, can do with just as good of a return on dollars invested.

I've owned both types. I've sold both types. This isn't speculation on my part.

 

[Bob_Young]

Wisc,
A couple of large benefits of MFWD that I see in my own usage are:
1) For a machine that will do X amount of work, the MFWD version will be more easily trailerable. It'll typically be smaller and lighter than the "work equivalent" 2WD tractor. If you need to routinely use your tractor in widely seperated locations, this can be an issue.

2) If you work alone on or near land that can be soft/muddy, MFWD can keep you productive. On soft ground, I work in 2WD until I get stuck (or close to it) and then use 4WD to get out of there. If you have another tractor and a helper available to do the rescue, then they can bail you out and you don't see much value from 4WD. If not, you can lose a whole day trying to get unstuck.

3) The greater FEL effectiveness of MFWD tractors, which almost everyone agrees on. It's no accident that the loader buckets, used on big 2WD Ag tractors from 30 years ago, now look almost ridiculously small (compared to the tractor).

If you will only have one tractor, MFWD makes a lot of sense, especially if loader work is expected. A 2WD makes a very cost effective second tractor. A big one is an excellent source of cheap HP if you have to run a baler or a big brush hog. A small one is fine for pulling wagons, raking hay, seeding, or chore duties. This from the point of view of a small hobby farm user.

I'm more than aware of the role 2WD tractors have played in American agriculture. They were and are up to the task. I've operated Ag tractors since 1960 and never used a MFWD until 2002. There's no question, the big 2WD beasts will do it but, if size is a problem, MFWD can be the solution.

As to resale, I think FWJ has a better handle than anyone else here. Still, a 2WD market where 40 to 50 years worth of used tractors are readily available would tend to keep used 2WD prices somewhat suppressed compared to a 4WD market where used tractors from only the past 10 to 20 years are available...with 4WD CUTS available for even less time than that.
FWIW
Bob