4wd or 2wd?

[JacobV]

Greetings everyone!

I am operating a kubota ZL1-315. It has two options, either 2wd or 4wd. The question is- does the usage of 4 wd accelerate the wear process for some of the tractors parts? Obviously it's much more comfortable to drive using all wheels.

Respectfully,
JacobV

 

[KennyV]

You have likely heard, Nothing is free... 4wheel or all wheel drive uses more parts... and yes it is "likely" very little difference in wear but it is going to be more... Best answer is Use 4 wheel when it is Needed... Use 2 wheel when 4wheel is Not needed.

 

[JacobV]

Thank you for your answer. But, for example, if i keep switching back and forth, doesn't it affect negatively some mechanisms? May be marasmatic to be so cautious, but still...

 

[big bubba]

my suggestion is to use 4wd only when you need it and for safety on slopes, etc. using it for long straight runs for example on pavement does put some added stress on the drive train (as in most 4wd vehicles -not "all wheel drive vehicles, etc) plus keeping it in 4wd will wear out ft tires quicker. as your common sense tells you, just use it only when needed, that's what you paid for. as far as repeated engage/disengage from 2 to 4 wd, don't see any excessive wear in that process. having said that, i always try to come to a full stop when going from one to the other, but that may be my own bias..... best regards

 

[JacobV]

Thank you for your answer. I conclude, that the proper usage is based on the situation, and I should not make things complicated too much

 

[Qapla]

Take this from experience - NEVER use the 4WD on pavement, if at all possible.

Most of our usage is on dirt so we keep it in 4WD most of the time. We used to "cheat it" when making a short run up the road to the other driveway but, no more. After having to replace the front differential gears, we learned to use 2WD when not in dirt.

BTW - ours is mostly FEL use, thus the need for 4WD

 

[KennyG]

All good advice. I don't think there is any chance of wearing out the transfer case shift before the drive components. I think the best reason to minimize 4WD is that, as long as you have rear wheel traction, you will have more power available (less losses) in 2WD.

 

[DT86]

Ditto on not using 4x4 on pavement, concrete, ect.

I keep my machines in 4x4 otherwise. Mostly due to going down hills.

One time down a steep hill with out the added braking (through the drive line) and I'm convinced it is the best practice for me. Ymmv.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ditto on not using 4x4 on pavement, concrete, ect.

I keep my machines in 4x4 otherwise. Mostly due to going down hills.

One time down a steep hill with out the added braking (through the drive line) and I'm convinced it is the best practice for me. Ymmv.

ONE TIME COMING DOWN A STEEP HILL ON GRASS AND MAYBE DIRT WILL TEACH YOU TO KEEP IN 4WD WHEN COMING DOWN A STEEP HILL ON GRASS AND MAYBE DIRT. I agree with 2 wd on pavement.

 

[Baby Grand]

Since the front axle is geared to turn at a rate of ground speed that's slightly different than the rear axle, there needs to be some slippage between the soil, which deforms easily, and the tires when 4WD is engaged. Otherwise, the tires will do all of the "slipping" on a the hard surface and scrub the tread off the fronts, quickly. When this happens, the drivetrain will bind up, due to the torque required to slip the tires, especially if you're moving a bucket full of wet clay or gravel, and accelerate the wear of gears, bearings, etc. It's especially bad if you turn on a hard surface while 4WD is engaged.

 

[rbargeron]

.......May be marasmatic to be so cautious...

I looked up "marasmatic" - sorta antithetical to my own condition

 

[buickanddeere]

If it's that fragile that shifting in and out to "save wear" . Better get rid of it now.

 

[JacobV]

I looked up "marasmatic" - sorta antithetical to my own condition

I am sorry to have offended you, since I am from Latvia I may not be able to express my thoughts properly. In our country we may use the term differently, my apologies.

 

[AStanton]

Probably the only time you could get away with using 4-wheel drive on pavement, is when the pavement is wet or snow-covered. When it dry--like an earlier poster said--forget about it.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have gravel drives on my property and the only concrete is right in front of the garage and garage floor.

If I forget and leave it in 4WD when I put it in the garage, the front tires leave black marks on the concrete.

 

[RalphVa]

I'd say NEVER to use 2wd on slopes. Otherwise, you'll have NO brakes going downhill. Rear wheels will just skid, and fronts will free wheel.

Ralph

 

[Jim Shooz]

I have a very minimal amount of hard surface and my tractor is in 4wd ALL the time. When you're going down the hill, one rear wheel is rotating forwards, the other backwards; and you're heading for the largest tree in your orchard, and the pucker factor is nudging 110, and you have no control; that's when you remember you should have left it in 4wd. The cost of a new pair of shorts is more than the infinitesimal extra transmission wear. (ask me how I know)

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I AGREE ONLY USE 4 WD WHEN NEEDED AS HAS BEEN STATED WEAR ON FRT TIRES ON PAVEMENT BUT ALSO I NOTICE A LOT MORE FUEL USAGE WHEN IN 4 WD

 

[Turbys_1700]

I run in 2WD when brush hogging and use 4WD when needed. I typically mow my yard in 2WD but I do have several sections it is best to leave it in 4WD. My little 1720 needed 4WD more than the Workmaster so it was used more.

 

[EddieWalker]

Do not confuse a 4wd tractor that is only going a few miles per hour on dirt to a vehicle driving very fast on pavement. You will never wear out your 4 wheel driveline on dirt. Use it every day, all day. You will go through front tires, but they are disposable and will wear out no matter what you do. Figure ten years for a set of front tires either way.