Should I even think about 2 wheel drive

[cmyoung2]

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.

 

[Torvy]

Personally, I would only use a 2wd tractor on flat terrain. Just because grandpa had no option, it is not worth the risk, to me. You get that heavier tractor and a log going downhill out of control, you will want every option available to get back under control...or hopefully not lose control in the first place.

 

[Buggs67]

Everything you've said screams 4WD.

 

[jeff9366]

am I crazy even looking at 2wd?

YES

 

[Sawyer Rob]

With an ag tractor, you are not crazy, but you better get one TWO sizes bigger than you planned to make up for the difference!

Also, plan on putting weights on a 2wd tractor, where a MFWD tractor is already heavier in the front.

I would NOT buy a 2wd compact tractor!

SR

 

[cmyoung2]

The Massey 150 is bigger than the 135 I'm use to, will have ballast in the rear tires, weighs 5-6000. Hopefully it will have loader sometime in the future. Probably 16' logs will be the max, that's all my sawmill can handle. More concerned about stability than anything.I'm looking at what I would call a small to medium size, 35-50 hp. The BX2230 takes care of the small stuff. Just started looking, still deciding.

 

[CalG]

The Massey 150 is bigger than the 135 I'm use to, will have ballast in the rear tires, weighs 5-6000. Hopefully it will have loader sometime in the future. Probably 16' logs will be the max, that's all my sawmill can handle. More concerned about stability than anything.I'm looking at what I would call a small to medium size, 35-50 hp. The BX2230 takes care of the small stuff. Just started looking, still deciding.

2WD or 4WD stability will be the same.

I have three 2WD tractors and 1 4WD tractor. PULLING and stability is a function of tractor size. Weights can be placed front , rear or sidewise.
General utility , when the front end is waving and wagging in the air, 4WD is of no benefit ;-)
Getting out of crap situations?, 4WD and locking diffs win every time!

N.B. The 4WD tractor has a locking FRONT diff. Freaking thing climbs like a billy goat!

 

[kf4uda]

You will never utter the words “I wish I had bought the 2wd instead of the 4wd”. I bought a 4wd a few years back and have used that feature more than I thought. Don’t short yourself.

 

[jeff9366]

PULLING and stability are a function of tractor size.

1) PULLING

Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor WEIGHT than any other single (1) specification.


2) STABILITY

The small wheels and tires on a subcompact tractor result in low ground clearance, usually 7" to 9", therefore a low center of gravity.

Thinking about a larger tractor than my subcompact BX2230.
I think the larger tractor may be more stable but I'm not sure.
I have been around tractors a lot, but would value other opinions.

It is unlikely any TPH tractor with 12" to 14" of ground clearance will feel more stable to the OP than a subcompact tractor with 7" to 9" of ground clearance. A few TPH tractors with 12" of ground clearance, wide spaced rear wheels and 50% liquid filled tires may approximate the stability of subcompacts, but only a few.

Compact tractor instability relative to subcompact tractors is exacerbated by the heavier Loaders and (usually) greater lift height equipping contemporary compact tractors and by chair height seat in most compact tractors, positioning the operator's head (inner ear) higher above the ground.

If the TPH can be dropped from the equation, a Ventrac or Power Trac will compete for a stable feel relative to a subcompact TPH tractor, primarily because of the four or eight relatively small wheels and tires, again resulting in a lower center of gravity. Good stability, good PUSHING capability with these 'tractors', not much PULLING capability.

 

[Cycledude]

I prefer 4wd but rest assured there are plenty of 2wd tractors out there doing the work very safely.

 

[jeff9366]

I prefer 4wd but rest assured there are plenty of 2wd tractors out there doing the work very safely.

......on flat ground.

Our terrain is fairly steep.
For a lot of it I back the BX up the hill and mow down.


Tractors have brakes only on the rear wheels. Going downhill, tractor weight shifts to the front wheels. The rear wheels are only in reduced contact with the soil. THEREFORE A 2-WD TRACTOR MOVING DOWNHILL HAS ONLY LIMITED BRAKING.

You cannot enjoy a tractor when you are dead.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The Massey 150 is bigger than the 135 I'm use to, will have ballast in the rear tires, weighs 5-6000. Hopefully it will have loader sometime in the future. Probably 16' logs will be the max, that's all my sawmill can handle. More concerned about stability than anything.I'm looking at what I would call a small to medium size, 35-50 hp. The BX2230 takes care of the small stuff. Just started looking, still deciding.

See, now you added more info... You added a loader, 2wd's suck with a loader!

You will wish you had those front wheels pulling you every time you try to move something heavy, like a log. How can I be so sure about that? Because I have one,

You are harvesting 22" tree's and you want a 2wd with a loader?? As soon as the new-ness wears off buying something like that, you will start wishing you had made a better choice.

SR

 

[52wej]

Something no one has mentioned is the impact the width of the rear wheels has on stability on a hillside. larger tractors tend to have wider wheelbases and that translates into more stability, especially if weighted properly. That being said, as others have noted, you will never regret at 4wd tractor. I grew up with 2wd tractors, large and small and the 4wd drive tractors just run circles around them with better traction, especially on hillsides. Don't even think about bush hogging a swamp with a two wheel drive unless it is very, very dry. W.Jones

 

[Egon]

Personally, I would only use a 2wd tractor on flat terrain. Just because grandpa had no option, it is not worth the risk, to me. You get that heavier tractor and a log going downhill out of control, you will want every option available to get back under control...or hopefully not lose control in the first place.

When the towed load gets out sideways to the tractor two or four wheel drive don’t matter.

 

[RoyJackson]

Frankly, in a CUT...even a larger CUT, I wouldn't even consider a 2WD machine

 

[cmyoung2]

I guess my big problem is it seems like I might can afford a 70"s model tractor, none of those are 4wd. So I might have to stick with dragging logs with my 2 wheel BCS. Just can't go up hill.

 

[scaredychicken]

4WD and never regret it

some of that work you could do with an old jeep, just a thought

 

[Egon]

The stability of a tractor is related to the layout dimensions and weight distribution. Ie; how the force vectors fit into the layout dimensions. A low centre of gravity is independent of stability.

Loaders are usually the best downhill braking system.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I guess my big problem is it seems like I might can afford a 70"s model tractor, none of those are 4wd. So I might have to stick with dragging logs with my 2 wheel BCS. Just can't go up hill.

Deutz had pretty good MFWD tractors in the 70's...

I don't mind a decent 50hp 2wd tractor, I just have a problem with the loader part.

SR

 

[ptsg]

Deutz had pretty good MFWD tractors in the 70's...

I don't mind a decent 50hp 2wd tractor, I just have a problem with the loader part.

SR

True. Most European brands had 4WD tractors for very early on. Due to all the hilly conditions, the 4WD and crawler tractors were a lot more popular than 2WD.

SAME even released the first production 4WD tractor back in 1952. If I remember correctly, it was a 2 cylinder Air Cooled Diesel engine with 30 HP.