Why 4 Wheel Drive

[LBrown59]

I only made that statement based on what my farmer freinds have told me. I seem to stand corrected.

No worries.

OK ...

 

[Heavyduty]

Wow, I did'nt know people were so serious about 2 and 4 wheel drive systems? They both have situations in which they would be better suited for that particular reason.

 

[Reg]

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.

PLEASE explain this;
It might be geometry, it might be physics, it might be mechanics that I lack a good enough understanding of.
Just HOW can you set up a tractor to "actually be pulling down on the front end" ?
About the only invention I can come up with is a drop down draw bar on the front and a chain running back from that - hardly practical.
Some variant of a WDH maybe ?
Push out with the top link(hydraulic), but if the lift arms aren't somehow locked DOWN that probably doesn't work either.

Every tractor pull I've been to has had LARGE 2WD tractors pulling from the drawbar, which as we all know is about as low as you can go.
....and of course they do rear wheel stands as the chain gets to ground level and the wheelie self limits.
Can't tell THOSE guys that 4WD would help traction any, other than the added mass that might keep the front end down for a bit longer (& add more down force to the rear wheels when it does come up).

 

[JoelD]

I've owned both two wheel and four wheel, and even a couple of tracked dozers.

For the average owner, who will use their machine for almost anything and in most cases doesn't even know exactly for what at purchase I think 4x4 is a necesity.

There is no better argument for 4x4 than "I'm not exactly sure what I'll be using my machine for, but one things for sure, I'll be using it for a bunch of different stuff".

We all know the night and day difference in traction between 2 and 4 wheel drive.

Now, if I'm a farmer or some other professional user, and I know exactly what machine "X" is going to be used for each and every day, day after day, then I know which is best for my application 2 or 4 wheel drive.

For us non-professionals, I can't think of many reasons against 4x4 and I can list, as others have, many reasons for 4x4.

I did my first for money project yesterday for a buddies budy, I ended up box blading sand where an inground pool once stood. No chance of doing that in 2 wheel.

Sincerely,
Joel

 

[SPYDERLK]

PLEASE explain this;
It might be geometry, it might be physics, it might be mechanics that I lack a good enough understanding of.
Just HOW can you set up a tractor to "actually be pulling down on the front end" ?

You hit it. You would have to set up a pull point below ground level!!! - Forward of the rears would be a help too. No sweat.
larry

 

[joes_427_vette]

After operating both four and two wheel drive for a short period of time it is apparent four is the only option. For the little cost difference you receive 30% more traction and efficiency. Look on the machinery lots. Very little stock of new two wheel drive units. Same difference with lite trucks. The only two wheel drive units to be found are the price fighters with zero options in the areas of snow and adverse weather conditions. I have owned three four wheel drive tractors and the next three will be the same. I wouldn't even consider a two wheel drive garden tractor.

 

[klm]

A tractor without 4WD is half a tractor.

 

[Duffster]

A tractor without 4WD is half a tractor.

 

[spruce Deere]

What are some reasons you need a 4 WD tractor. I say they are a must with a loader attached, but why? Any other reasons it will help? I know there are more than just helping get unstuck.

Well here in the rocky mountain states, even some cars come with four wheel drive If you live anywhere other than perfectly flat ground no hills, no driveway to plow snow or tune up after winter by the equator with no real change in the weather snow, slimy ground in spring, one would wonder why 4WD. Older farmers here who have had nothin' but 2wd tractors for years trade in on a 4WD and are amazed at the traction difference in ALL situations. When you don't need it, shift out of 4wd.

 

[WilliamBos]

A tractor without 4WD is half a tractor.

I respectfully disagree. Both have a use. 2wd shines for things like cutting hay, baling, anything that requires a short turning radius. $wd/FWA has its uses too.