Why 4 Wheel Drive
- Thread starter tld
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LD1
Epic Contributor
No offence to anyone, but i often wonder if anyone reads all the posts before commenting . Just seems the same answers are given over & over . No big deal, just curious.
shane
Gold Member
I was just being a wise guy when I asked "has anybody mentioned braking?". I was thinking of the improved braking as I was reading through the posts and was going to mention it if no one else had. Toward the end of my reading before I posted it was mentioned three times. I just could not resist. 
4wd is about efficiency. It痴 the best way to get power to the ground. Back when I worked on a farm we could do the same work with a 85 hp 4wd that a 105 hp 2 wd drive could do except PTO applications. It would pull our disk and plows without duals that our 2wd had to have weight and duals. When towing if the tractor is set up properly you will actually be pulling down on the front end (no not always but a lot of the time) this allows the front end to help. Usually 4wd has a larger front tires and greater floatation. We could leave the tractor set up much lighter and do the same work or heavier and do much more. Lighter reduces wear and tear on the machine and the ground. Most 4wd have heavier front axles and can handle a loader much easier.
As far a braking unless you have a machine that kicks the 4wd drive on under braking it would only help off road at lower speeds. Most 4wd do not recommend leaving it in over certain speeds.
As far a braking unless you have a machine that kicks the 4wd drive on under braking it would only help off road at lower speeds. Most 4wd do not recommend leaving it in over certain speeds.
Lasgambler
Gold Member
Same here. Everything I own is 4 wheel drive with the exception of the Motorhome and I wish it was too. Terry
Lyrch75
Bronze Member
Saw that when my neighbors got their first 4wd tractor.
They had always bought 105-125 hp 2wd tractors for tillage, so they got their first 4wd in this range as well. They would end up bogging the tractor down before they would spin the tires. Next tractor was a few horsies more.
For the CUT/UT I would not have a 2wd. Loader work, mowing on rough hilly land, or plowing snow; the 4wd really makes the work easier and safer.
jimmyj
Elite Member
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You guys crack me up.
I also have a CUT and it's the first time I have had 4wd. It is GREAT just to be able to have choices. I have found it indespensible for snow work and also when doing muddy loader work. It just gives you an extra edge, particularly with a smaller tractor. I usually use the unit in 2wd but there is no way I could have done all the work I've had to with just 2wd.
I think it is completely worth it.
NOTE: I do not do any tilling or haying, so I would think 2wd is ok for those applications since most of my farming buddies use 2wd for that sort of stuff, they just have bigger tractors.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Has anyone mentioned breaking yet?
SPYDERLK
Super Star Member
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No...Has anyone mentioned breaking yet?
But sometimes they do break when the front drive is not designed with appropriate margin to take full engine transmitted torque in low gear at least for short periods. In loader applications, a heavy lift-push situation can virtually stand the tractor on its nose. Tremendous weight and traction on the front.Anyway, I think the versatile traction advantage of 4wd is great just by itself. Add the others; efficiency in tillage and [similarly] climbing over obstacles, 4 wheel braking, steering on side slopes, being able to back up even with a fel load, etc, and the greater initial cost becomes justified many times over.
