4WD benefits seen first-hand

[beppington]

Was pulling out trees of various sizes this past Saturday. Needed 4WD on almost all, sometimes even differential lock. Pulling one tree, it just wouldn't go; I realized oops I had put the tractor back in 2WD; when I put it back in 4WD again, the tree came right out :thumbsup:

Just saying, for those who aren't sure whether or not 4WD is useful, it has been for me. Not only for the tree yankin', but I was also discing some pretty muddy ground, & 4WD kept me moving thru it ... whereas in 2WD I would get stalled & had to lift the disc to get moving again.

 

[TripleR]

A similar thing happened to me yesterday as I was bush hogging as well as pushing trees over and uprooting them. On flat ground, I bush hog in 2WD and a couple of times neglected to engage 4WD when pushing the trees.

I used a 2WD up here in the hills for a few years, but went over to 4WD some time ago and my 2WD lives on our flat land farm now.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I head off into the woods fairly often. I'm sure I'd be walking back half the time if I only had 2WD...or else I'd just have to avoid undertaking some jobs. On the other hand, having 4WD means that when you are stuck, you are really STUCK!
BOB

 

[scoutcub]

4wd is a huge benefit. I recently dug out a hillside for my new garage, and the tractor stayed in 4wd after 2 minutes of attempted digging in 2wd. What a difference!

 

[MBDiagMan]

How heavy is your tractor? I pulled several pretty good size trees out of the ground this weekend with my 2WD 5045D JD. I had to use the differential lock on one of them but they popped right out of the ground. With FEL this tractor weighs over 6,000 pounds. With the smaller machines with less weight, the 4Wd is indeed mandatory.

 

[beppington]

How heavy is your tractor? I pulled several pretty good size trees out of the ground this weekend with my 2WD 5045D JD. I had to use the differential lock on one of them but they popped right out of the ground. With FEL this tractor weighs over 6,000 pounds. With the smaller machines with less weight, the 4Wd is indeed mandatory.

If you're asking me, mine's about 6,156 total (tractor + FEL + bucket + filled tires) without a rear implement.

My area is somewhat sandy here & there.

 

[Car Doc]

I agree 4wd is a must I wont ever go back same as pickups.

 

[Dargo]

I agree 4wd is a must I wont ever go back same as pickups.

Yup, agreed. The only reason I'd buy either in 2wd is if it were just plain dirt cheap. I've been that way since about 1977 or 1978. A lot of guys say that there is more to wear out with a 4X4. Unless I was playing and being just plain abusive, I've never had to replace anything in the 4X4 portion of either truck nor tractor. I've never regretted having 4X4 either. Even when selling, I get my money back every time. It's sort of like A/C. I've never regretted buying a tractor or vehicle with A/C; especially when selling!

 

[rekees4300]

Just saying, for those who aren't sure whether or not 4WD is useful, it has been for me.

Ditto ... without 4WD my tractor would be basically a big lawn mower.

 

[k0ua]

Yep 2WD tractor here in hilly Branson, would be worthless. I used one for several years further north in rolling hill country with pretty good success, but it was a very heavy tractor. I think that is one of the keys when guys say they are using 2WD tractors with great success, get a BIG one!. But our little SCUTS and CUTS really need 4WD most of the time, unless the ground is dry and flat. Of course proper ballasting helps a bunch. But why not "paw" with 4 instead of 2? Except maybe lawn mowing on mostly flat ground.
James K0UA

 

[Marveltone]

Try tugging and pushing stuff around with turfs. Virtually impossible without 4WD. In fact I'm going to be ordering chains soon, as they will be a huge asset in all four seasons... But still no replacement for 4WD, especially when doing loader work.

Joe

 

[Car Doc]

I went the last 15 years with an old skinny front Massey Harris 22 drawbar hp gasser and I did the mowing, post hole digging, back bladeing snow-dirt etc and wishing I had a good diesel 4wd especially during the winter.

Now I have one its a new lease on life its a whole different world project wise nothing I cant do now where there was only a few things I could do before.

 

[Chilly807]

On the other hand, having 4WD means that when you are stuck, you are really STUCK!
BOB

And THAT, my friends, Is The Truth...

Sean

 

[Interlaux]

Fer new owners I'm thinking that it and a FEL with a big bucket should be required before your first time to cut some trails after its rained - a lot. Dont ask me why.:laughing:
Really I thought I was stuck when someone showed me the magic of 4wd and a little front end help. Never stuck again!?! SWEET

 

[Car Doc]

Off subject but the previous post reminded me with his bucket leverage comment anyway which is very true.

The first time I watched a guy unload and after work done onload a backhoe off the side of his trailer not using ramps. That was interesting use of hydraulics and buckets and skill these guys do stuff like that all the time. I could do it now myself I think but I was sure amazed when I saw it the first time.

 

[stravis]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned while using the loader. I've been helping a friend build his house. We've moved about 15 truckloads of dirt from one pile to another and from a pile into his foundation block. Him on a Case 580 2wd backhoe and me on my JD 5101E. The backhoe is made for that work, but is two wheel drive and he had a hard time getting the bucket to fill because his tires would just spin. He didn't have the traction to dig the bucket into the pile. My JD however, with MFWD engaged had a full bucket every time. I'd be willing to bet I moved about a 1/3 more soil than he did while we were working simultaneously even thought he backhoe is made for it and has a bucket significantly larger than mine.

On a side note, when we were done he was covered in dust and sweat (open cab on the Case) and I was fresh as a daisy in my cab.

 

[slaveToHorses]

How heavy is your tractor? I pulled several pretty good size trees out of the ground this weekend with my 2WD 5045D JD. I had to use the differential lock on one of them but they popped right out of the ground. With FEL this tractor weighs over 6,000 pounds. With the smaller machines with less weight, the 4Wd is indeed mandatory.

Sure, a heavier tractor is better. My JD 2355 2WD will out pull my JD 3720 4WD even when the 3720 has the loader and backhoe mounted and it has all 4 tires filled. If I need to pull something out of the mud or yank out a hung tree, I always go for the 2355.

However, it would pull even better if it was 4WD!

 

[MBDiagMan]

I suppose that I'm just lucky enough to be on relatively flat land with good soil. Never found 4WD to be necessary. For those who need it, I guess it's good that it is so common these days. Makes more money for the tractor makers too. That's a win/win.

 

[wedge40]

I suppose that I'm just lucky enough to be on relatively flat land with good soil. Never found 4WD to be necessary. For those who need it, I guess it's good that it is so common these days. Makes more money for the tractor makers too. That's a win/win.

Ditto.. I'm not saying I wouldn't like 4wd, but my 2wd with loaded tires seems to work just fine for me so far.

Wedge

 

[Ford tractor]

How heavy is your tractor? I pulled several pretty good size trees out of the ground this weekend with my 2WD 5045D JD. I had to use the differential lock on one of them but they popped right out of the ground. With FEL this tractor weighs over 6,000 pounds. With the smaller machines with less weight, the 4Wd is indeed mandatory.

The old 2wd ford is 9000# and it can't back up a 20 degree grade with the fel bucket full of dirt (3/4 yd bucket). Ballast? over 3000# with 2500 off the rear. One of the smaller 4wd machines with a 9 cf bucket goes up and down like nothing. So for that one use, the 2wd would accomplish zero work compared to the smaller (6000#) 4wd machine moving about 100+ cu-yd a day.

Backing up a grade in 2wd with a FEL bucket full is the hardest thing to do (at least that's what I've discovered).