pros and cons to running a 4WD tractor in 2WD

[RobJ]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For many operations like soil tillage, fuel consumption is significantly increased when operating in 2wd.

As fuel costs have risen, the popularity of 2wd has decreased, especially for ag operations. )</font>

I think I have to disagree with these 2. You will not burn more fuel running in 2wd when you have a 4wd. There is really no dead weight, the front axles are freewheeling. And I don't think fuel costs cause more 4wd to be sold. The main reason for the 4wd (IMO) is most here are dealing with small CUT tractors that are light. The 4wd gives them the abilit to do more work instead of slipping. Yes there are larger 100+hp tractors with 4wd now, this is because of the conditions they are working in, mud and such. A Combine with 4wd can work longer in a wet condition than a 2wd.

 

[RedRocker]

What are you calling 4 wheel assist and how does it differ from 4WD? Is there a clutch in the transfer case that slips the front drive shaft so it only pulls a little bit as opposed to pulling full strength? Just curious.

 

[CTyler]

My L3130 is listed as front wheel assist instead of 4wd although I seem to say 4wd all the time. There is a lever that lets you run in 2wd or 4wd. What exactly makes the difference between front assist and 4wd is not clear to me either.

An earlier poster stated that front assist is a 2wd tractor with 4wd drive added on to it. I would tend to disagree with that since the Grand L series Kubotas for example was a new design.

...When putting it in 4wd it is direct drive between the front and rear, no clutch or fluid coupling to let it slip.

 

[Alan L.]

I can't imagine any harm would come to the tractor as the result of using 2wd. However I always use 4wd unless on pavement, because my B2710 just does not get good traction turning on flat dry grass in 2wd. It is so light, it needs 4wd all the time.

 

[JerryG]

What we normally call 4wd here on TBN is actually front wheel assist. 4WD is technically a tractor that has four wheels of the same size and bends in the middle. If you look at the stats that are published by the manufactures they all list them this way. The small front wheels help out or assist the large rear wheels. That is why they call it front wheel assist. Here is one of the sites that list tractor sales as such. Front wheel assist tractors are included in the 2wd figures.

 

[RalphVa]

In uneven terrain like we have here, I see no reason to ever go out of 4wd except for going a long distance on paved surface to save wear on the front tires, which rotate a tad faster than the fronts.

Doubt fuel consumption is affected as it is most affected by weight and load factors.

Ralph

 

[mark4Jesus]

I used to have a '91 Kubota B2150. I forgot to take it out of FWD and went to a neighbor's place to pick up a plow. Went down the road in 3 high. The tractor never leaked a drop of anything until that! The oil in the front blew past the seal and made a mess. I now have a '04 MF 1433v and both manuals advise to use FWD only when needed.

 

[bugstruck]

Agreed, braking is what makes me reach for 4WD assist faster than anything. Steep downhills in snow (asphalt too), trailering, or the need for improved forward bite are the only times I'm in 4WD. But that's my standard configuration with loaded rears and BH out back. Plenty of 2WD traction, even for the FEL in loose materials. However if your light in the back for any reason and seldom transition asphalt I think I'd be in 4WD a lot more. So the answer is configuration and usage based. Bet 80+% of us would be in the same drive configuration on the same tractor in the same situation. The posts don't necessarily reflect that continuity though.

 

[leeinmemphis]

I typically leave my tractor in 4wd. My farm is uneven terrain and I find myself needing it more often than not when running a box blade/disk/tiller/and even a bush hog.

 

[Slamfire]

Since adding the additional rear wheels the only time I've needed 4 wheel assist is when operating with heavy ground engagment attachments, like my pond scoop. Normally stepping on the differential lock is enough.