Should I even think about 2 wheel drive

[Ledgemere Farm]

Thinking about a slightly larger tractor than my BX2230, mainly to pull logs, power a chipper and maybe bushhogging. Limited budget of course. Looking at some 40-50 hp tractors like a Massey 150, but the two things that concern me are- one-our terrain is fairly steep, as in for a lot of it I back the BX up the hill and mow down, just not comfortable turning around on top, and the top is not that steep.I think the larger tractor may be more stable but I'm not sure. And two, will the 2wd have enough traction. I do plan on a winch in the future, so traction may not be an issue. Most of the trees I am harvesting are 22"+, so a 16' log is around a ton. Not going to hook that to the BX going down hill, even with chains and filled tires. SO, am I crazy even looking at 2wd, or try to talk my wife into spending 2-3x for a 4x4(going to be a hard sale. I have been around tractors a lot, but would value other ideas.

2 wheel drive tractors are definitely still a viable option in certain situations, but the extra $ you’ll shell out for MFWD will pay dividend, especially for resale someday. I have a lot of old 2WD IH tractors and they do what I want them to do, but they never go in the woods or in the mud or snow. Good luck with what you decide.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Sawyer Rob, they do have 4-wheel braking, but only when 4-wheel drive is engaged. They don't have foundation brakes which are the brakes at the wheels, like disc or drum brakes, as on cars, trucks, and trailers. No FWD = no 4-wheel braking.

This is incorrect, as I already stated SOME tractors DO have 4 wheel braking... Yes, with actual brakes!

SR

 

[bernardcuziillo]

This is incorrect, as I already stated SOME tractors DO have 4 wheel braking... Yes, with actual brakes!

SR

You stated it but I have no idea how you know it since you offered no evidence. Contrary to the policy at Fox News, facts do matter here because people can get killed by misinformation. Name a tractor that does have foundation brakes. Maybe some do. Most don't.

In the past, it was common to have braking on only one axle. Even today brakes are often on only one axle of dual-axle trailers, with the other axle optional because it's not required in all states.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You stated it but I have no idea how you know it since you offered no evidence. Contrary to the policy at Fox News, facts do matter here because people can get killed by misinformation. Name a tractor that does have foundation brakes. Maybe some do. Most don't.

You need to get out more and learn more about the subject you are talking about!

How do I know? Because they were an option on FOUR of my tractors!

Name one? SAME, want another? John Deere...

Yes, most don't, but you stated none do, so don't get anyone killed by your misinformation!

BTW, what does any of this have to do with Fox News??

SR

 

[bernardcuziillo]

OK, I checked John Deere's site for a typical compact tractor and it has no optional foundation brakes. Show me one that does.

https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_us/configure/164833281

 

[Farmer495]

Sawyer Rob, they do have 4-wheel braking, but only when 4-wheel drive is engaged. They don't have foundation brakes which are the brakes at the wheels, like disc or drum brakes, as on cars, trucks, and trailers. No FWD = no 4-wheel braking.

By mid 90s most fwa tractors that used an electrical switch to engage the front axle would also automatically engage the front axle when you pushed the brake pedals down(locked together, not split) Gave "4 wheel braking", was nice, especially for road work. Deere 6000 series for example.

 

[Farmer495]

OK, I checked John Deere's site for a typical compact tractor and it has no optional foundation brakes. Show me one that does.

https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_us/configure/164833281

Doubt any compact would have front brakes, full frame ag tractor they are available on some.

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/row-crop-tractors/row-crop-7-family/7r-350-tractor/

 

[Tx Jim]

You need to get out more and learn more about the subject you are talking about!

How do I know? Because they were an option on FOUR of my tractors!

Name one? SAME, want another? John Deere...

Yes, most don't, but you stated none do, so don't get anyone killed by your misinformation!



SR

Please list the 4 John Deere tractor models that you own that have option for front axle brakes.

I've owned a 70 hp MFWD tractor with frt end loader for 11 yrs that the front axle has been engaged very few times since I purchased it. I used it to handle several 1000's of rd bales. Yes having MFWD engaged helps braking ability but not the same as having front axle brakes

 

[m1garand762]

The Massey would be ok or even something like an 860 ford. I have pulled some serious logs with a 640 but the extra ponies of the 800 series would have helped

 

[K5lwq]

Could add brakes if you need them. Apparently Knott is a company that will make custom brakes for tractors.

Custom Performance Brakes & Design | Find Custom Brake Products & Brake Shoes for Off-Highway Vehicles - Knott Brake Company

Knott Brake is proud to be the leading manufacturer of custom performance brakes, brake design and more for off-highway vehicles. Shop our selection today for premium brakes products!

knottbrake.com

 

[Williy]

Check out the Deutz tractors ;they have
4 wheel brakes standard

You can read about it here:

5D Keyline - Deutz-Fahr America

deutz-fahramerica.com

willy

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Please list the 4 John Deere tractor models that you own that have option for front axle brakes.

Please show me the post where I said "I" had 4 John Deere tractor models that I own that have option for front axle brakes.

SR

 

[dieselscout80]

Please show me the post where I said "I" had 4 John Deere tractor models that I own that have option for front axle brakes.

SR

I don’t know all, but I saw a 4455 or 4460 MFD with a disc brake on the front axle pinion.

 

[Raul-02]

when you get stuck this OHSHA approved method works

 

[hornett22]

After using both, I wouldn't even consider 2wd unless it was an antique for novelty/hobby purposes.

Honestly, you could probably get away with something fairly reasonable in 4x4. I do what you want to do with 4x4 26hp and shuttle shift. You should look at Mahindra, Kioti, and Branson. Those will be leaps and bounds of an improvement over your BX.

 

[cmyoung2]

Still looking for a used 4x4, nothing in my size or price range. Sorry, but a 26HP of anything will not power a 8" chipper. There was a reason for the 40-50 hp size.

 

[Tx Jim]

Please show me the post where I said "I" had 4 John Deere tractor models that I own that have option for front axle brakes.

SR

Sorry my mistake when you mentioned Same & JD my aging brain only noticed JD. Which model JD that you were referring to had frt axle brakes?

 

[IndyIan]

Some tractors DO have 4 wheel braking... AND when the MFWD is engaged, all 4 wheels are driven, giving 4 wheel braking.

SR

4wd kind of does, I have gone for a short ride down steep wet clay patch in the pasture watching the tires slide with my feet off the HST pedals, with the tires on one side spinning backwards and the tires on the other side spinning forwards! I then hit the brakes which stopped the rears from spinning opposite directions but the fronts continued for a couple more feet until they got onto the grass again.
Probably I would've slid with real brakes on all 4 but probably not as fast?
Anyways for sure 4wd lets you work in areas 2wd isn't going to work especially using the loader, but you can also get into worse trouble too, if you get too ambitious!
If you don't really need a loader, then a wide set 2wd tractor ballasted up with chains on, and good split brakes and diff lock can probably work on some pretty steep side slopes if its not greasy.
But I've found cleaning out the barnyard in wet manure on wet clay on a moderate side slope, once you put a good fork full way out front on that loader, the only way to bring it pointed back up the hill is to use the split brakes at the back and rotate the back of the tractor down the hill... Its kind of fun to rotate the tractor skid steer style and use the brakes as the diff lock, but its tricky not to slide into anything important...

 

[bernardcuziillo]

The choice boils down to simple physics. If you pull from the rear, it transfers weight onto the rear wheels which in most cases are bigger. The extreme case is the front wheels lifting off the ground, possibly culminating in a backflip. So for tilling, seeding, injecting anhydrous, harvesting etc., in which you're pulling an implement in a flat field, 2wd is fine. But on a utility tractor where sometimes you have a big load up front, the front wheels take most of the load and transfer weight from the rear. If the front wheels are not driven in that situation, you get poor traction. If you're on level pavement, no problem, you don't need much traction. So a tractor-loader-backhoe used by a municipal water system could do fine with 2wd. But out in the wild, yes you do need much traction.

On foundation brakes, yes there are exotic examples like the Deutz with them, but by and large the brakes are part of the drivetrain and are not foundation brakes. The triple whammy of an FEL or log grapple, steep slopes, and mud make 4wd pretty much required.

 

[cmyoung2]

I finally found something close to what I thought I wanted, of course cost more. Ended up with a Kubota L3600 with 1600 hrs. Has a loader with a 4 in 1 bucket, hyd top link and side link. OK condition, needs front tires and fluid in the rears. Also lucked up and found a Farmi winch, so for what I plan, I think I am almost set.
Thanks for all the ideas