Why FWD

[MChalkley]

You guys are giving me a headache. Since this is supposed to be a tractor forum, can we just skip the philosophy? I always do... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

This calls for a new topic under Other Forums//Tractor Zen.

Or is this really pushing things.... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Terry

 

[MikePA]

Ohmmmmmmmm /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[ric]

The reason your tractor is stuck is your are using wide turf tires that are not intended to be used in a low traction situation. Engaging your 4wd allowed you to overcome that problem. I'd bet your tractor will lose traction in wet grass when you are mowing from time to time. I have a 2wd 1500 pound L175 with Ag tires that would have gone right through that. This tractor has a MMM that's left on year around like I'd bet you do. I mow about 6 acres of combined hilly and flat terrain with about 40 trees and I have never been stuck. Ag tires don't tear up the yard when I mow unless it's very wet. I don't mow when it's wet. I also have a 1800 pound 4wd L245DT with Ag tires. I bought this unit thinking I'd need 4wd to work in the yard, but actual use has proven otherwise. In the entire time I've owned this tractor I have only used 4wd twice and neither time did I need it, I used 4wd because I was curious if it made any difference. Once was going up hill which it did then I went back down the hill and went up in 2wd with the same result. I use a box blade, grading blade and fel on this tractor regularly without engaging 4wd or the LOCK. The Ag tires did all the work. 4wd on a compact tractor seems a little overated, it's nice to have, but not essential, although everbody thinks it is. As an example, I'd bet I could not give away my L175 because it's 2WD, but I'd have little problem selling my 4wd L245DT, yet the L175 in many ways is the better tractor mostly because it's 2wd. I had a 2wd TO35 Furgeson with Ag tires before I got the Kubotas that I used for yard work for years and never once got stuck. In fact, it never occurred to me that I might be at risk to get stuck. ric

 

[TerryinMD]

ric,

Have to disagree with a little about 4wd being overrated.

When using ground engagement implements and the FEL, I have found that the 4wd gives me a lot more traction with my R4s.

Now if I had the R1's, that might be somewhat different. However, I believe having that extra traction (I believe it gets you somewhere near 25% increase) even with the R1s would be adventageous at times.

Let me pose a question. Why don't they allow 4wd on tractors at Tractor Pulls? Additional tractive force!

Terry

 

[ric]

Terry,
No argument that 4wd adds traction to your tractor. No argument that R1 and R4 tires benefit from 4wd due to their inherent low traction design. Having said that tractors with R1 and R4 tires with their 4wd engaged when driven in muddy, sandy or otherwise loose soil conditions will get hung up. I'd bet you have probably come close to hanging your tractor more than once in 4wd using your R4's. If you have not you will eventually. Overrated to me means that there are significant number of compact tractor buyers who paid the high cost for a 4x4 because their dealer or someone else talked them into to something they probably didn't need when 2wd with the R3's would be much cheaper and do the job. Generally, the cornerstone of the argument is 4wd will get you out of whatever you get into. You don't want to get stuck do you? Change will to may in the argument and the real picture appears. The 4wd option is more of a marketing or sales gimmick that adds to the cost of the unit first on the sales side then the maintenance side. Nearly every Spring or Fall one of my neighbors shows up at my front door needing help getting their 4wd R1 or R4 equipped tractor unstuck. I always use my 4wd unit, but have never used 4wd as 2wd R3's got the job done. Before I used the 4wd unit I used my Ferguson 2wd unit with R3's with the same results.

I dont know too much about the sanctioning body for professional pulling and only consider myself the infrequent spectator but are tractor pulls regionalized? I've seen 4x4 tractors pulling around here in competition.
ric

 

[TerryinMD]

ric,

Any vehicle can get stuck with any kind of tire. That's a given. And yes, I probably will get stuck in the future. I've gotten partially stuck already and was able to get out with the use of 4wd and the differential lock - luckily.

As far as the general use of 4wd, it helps when using the FEL and MMM in some applications. A general dismissal of 4wd as a marketing or sales gimmick is an opinion. I don't think that the manufacturer's would offer it unless there was a demand.

We choose to differ and that's okay.... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

 

[Harv]

At the risk of inviting criticism here, I'll have to confess to the fact that I've had my L2500DT for over a year now, and I've never had it out of 4WD.

I may be taking years off the life of my tires, but the fact is I've only had it on real pavement once, and at that time I didn't realize that 4WD was a bad thing on that surface. My property has only a little bit of gravel road, and I'm usually only on that part when I'm taking the tractor out or putting it away.

My normal runs, going almost anywhere on the property, take me over combinations of firm, loose and occasionally mushy soil. It's almost all on hills and uneven terrain, and it's not uncommon for me to spin a wheel or two. Also, when I'm using the box blade (a common occurrence), especially with the rippers down, the tractor tends to get a little light in front, and I'm convinced that in those cases 4WD improves steering.

I hate digging holes with my R1's, so it's comforting to have 4-wheel traction when pushing into a pile or doing various other FEL chores, too. In short, I just feel that it would drive me crazy to be shifting in and out of 4WD as often as I would have to if I were the truly conscientious type. I guess you can tell that I don't consider 4WD a frivolous marketing add-on.

 

[gerard]

Also have to disagree with Ric. Can you do without 4wd? Yes. Just does a lot of things better and easier with it. You have to make the decision if the added cost is worth it. In my opinion is itsn't even a question. In snow/ice/mud/hills/grading/earth moving/ loading work 4wd is far superior and well worth the added cost which wasn't that much. You can dig a pond using a spoon if you want but the right tool makes it a lot easier!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif 4wd is just another "tool"

 

[snowman]

I did alot of dirt moving last summer with R4's on my B7500; always needed to be in 4WD to get a good scoop of dirt and, in many cases, to get up or down the dirt pile. Also needed it when carrying the dirt around, if I had to cross the driveway or some other small incline; being in 4WD would help pull the tractor over the incline versus the rear wheels just trying to push the front end over.

I'd stick it in 4WD when mowing when I was going up or down a steep section, or a real wet section of lawn.

Definitely need it in snow. I have chains on my rears this year, along with a back blade and a front blower. Haven't had much snow yet, but I was scraping a few inches off of the driveway a few weeks ago going uphill (gentle incline) in 2WD and the rears were slipping (mainly because the chains were pretty much on bare pavement) - needed to stick it back in 4WD to stop the slipping.

It may be true that there's a good profit percentage for the dealer in 4WD versus 2WD, but you don't have to pay for it if you don't want. I think it's worth it. Even in cars/trucks, I would never go back to 2WD unless I moved south. It pays for itself in terms of peace of mind when I have to drive through a foot of snow in a snowstorm.