Why 4 Wheel Drive

[tld]

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.

 

[Duffster]

It is not exactly a must on a loader either

 

[studor]

Four wheel drive is like a shirt pocket to a smoker -- you will notice all the reasons you need it only if you don't have it any more.

 

[rexcramer]

The smaller the tractor, the more necessary 4wd becomes.

I have done a crapload of work with my 2wd backhoe, but it weighs 14000#s and has big tires

 

[carpenter383]

Aside from overall better traction in snow, mud, hills, etc. 4x4 makes a huge difference with a loader because a heavy load in the front takes alot of weight off the back tires....Also if your pushing an impliment like a box blade backwards 4x4 makes a huge difference because the impliment tries to lift the back of the tractor....4x4 is good for resale too

 

[warhammer]

There are times when in 2WD the rear tires spin and you go nowhere. The ground can be dry and the slope not very steep.
Sometimes if the ground is uneven and you have an implement on the back you can get stuck.
On my farm there are some terraces and getting from one level to another can either go up some pretty steep inclines or drive a long way around.
4WD is very helpful in all these scenarios. In mud even more so.
The only way I think I would get a 2WD is if I only worked in flat fields and never anticipated working when it has rained.

Warhammer

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.

 

[mjncad]

I have a flat yard with a ditch by the county road. There have been times working by the ditch or at a neighbor's house where 4WD was a necessity along with the differential lock.

I had a 2WD pickup once, and never again; so I feel the same way towards tractors. All the wheels better have drive capability or I'm not interested.

 

[Skyco]

Its all about traction. I back my BX24 up a ramp onto my trailer. Can't do it in 2 wd, the rears spin.

 

[irvingj]

In addition to snow removal, I like it because it allows me to drive the tractor over places where I'd rather not tear up the ground.

 

[wolc123]

It makes a very significant difference in fuel consumption during tillage operations, sometimes 25% or more. This is the main reason they dont sell too many large 2wd tractors to big farmers these days. Most of the "CUT" folks on this site cant understand that because they are more used to operation of cars on hard pavement which can not absorb energy like soft, tilled ground can.

 

[cowboy357]

I couldn,t live without it . in 2 wheel drive I tear up to much ground due to the very sandy soil We have. in 4 wd its not an issue . Bob

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

It would take pages to detail all the situations where 4WD makes a huge difference.

I would NEVER purchase a CUT without 4WD

The only time I do not use 4WD is for road travel. On occasion after getting off the road I forget to go back into 4WD...when that happens it's not long before the tractor starts slipping

 

[Bud Soda]

Safety, The only way you will have four wheel brakes is to have 4X4. A must for going down a hill with a loaded bucket.

 

[LD1]

I agree with about everyone here. the only time I am in 2wd is mowing (with the loader detached), and roading.

My father has a JD 2040 2wd. It is a larger tractor than my l3400. His has a 6ft bucket, 14.9 x 28 tires filled (about 1000lbs total) and he can even have an implement on. I can work circles around him unless it is very dry and very hard. A load in the FEL of the 2040 makes it a very difficult task to back up.
And forget about moving much snow with it in the winter.

I wont say 4wd is a MUST because they got by fine without it for many years, but for those of us that have used a 4wd tractor, woner how anyone cound get by with 2wd.

I don't think it has been mentioned yet, but I will add that 4wd also guves you 4 wheed breaking to. Which van be nice going down a hill in the winter with a trailer load of wood behind.

 

[LBrown59]

A big safety factor is only 4x4 tractors have all wheel braking.

 

[Negligence]

So you don't hate your tractor (and yourself for buying 2wd) for being incapable of working in crappy situations with lots of mud, manure, snow, or all three mixed together.

 

[shane]

Has anybody mentioned that 4WD helps braking?

If it's a truck, tractor, or four-wheeler, I want 4X4. It just increases your options to put it to work.

 

[Sackett2]

Traction: Was digging a small bank out, and even in 4wd, the rear wheels would start to slip, so lock up the rear axle. My FIL before he passed told me "Don't you get a 2wd tractor, you will regret it." I didn't, and I am thankful.
Braking: Shifted it out of 4wd to drive it home, and on the way down the hill (asphalt driveway) braking for the end locked up the rt rear wheel. The braking is much better in 4wd!

 

[ampsucker]

smaller tractors don't have individual rear brakes. having the front wheels pulling gives you a lot more steering in difficult situations similar to what you can get by riding the left or right brakes on a rwd larger tractor.

also helps with steering when diff is locked and tractor tends to plow forward in a straight line.

totally true about braking going down hill. when the ***** end is light like with a heavy loader load, the only way to slow down or stop is if you have 4x4 engaged or you drop the FEL.

amp

 

[LD1]

Has anybody mentioned that 4WD helps braking?

If it's a truck, tractor, or four-wheeler, I want 4X4. It just increases your options to put it to work.

I mentioned it at the end of my post about 3 posts before yours