Just how good is 4 wheel drive

[thoner7]

I've never had the luxury of owning a 4x4 tractor, but I assume it must be the cat's meow. My truck is a totally different beast when the 4x4 is engaged. It's gotta make a huge difference on a tractor too, I'd imagine.

With 2 wheel drive and a loader, it's nearly impossible for me to reverse up hill. I'm always getting stuck in little gofer holes and ditches. Muddy slopes? Not a chance. I even slide down hills in gear when mowing a steep section of my property.

How much does 4x4 change your life?? Let's hear some stories from the other side.

 

[holeycow]

It's about the same difference as your pickup. Go. Or no go.

 

[4570Man]

Probably more difference than your truck makes. Reversing up a hill is probably the biggest difference but it’s a game changer all around.

 

[deserteagle71]

Just unloaded 4 pallets of pellets (2,000 lb per pallet) with the Kubota. Even with the rotary mower on the 3 point in the back, I couldn't back up the tractor without engaging the front tires. All that weight up front on the forks - the rear tires just spun.

 

[3Ts]

I would not have a tractor without 4wd! It makes that much difference for loader work and ground engaging tools. There are several implements that have a different HP rating for 2 wd and a lower one for 4 wd so you can think of it as a power boost. Just be aware though that if you get a 4wd tractor stuck, you're really stuck.

 

[/pine]

Descending a hill in 2 WD with a loaded bucket can get very dicey if the rear wheels break traction...it can happen even with loaded rears and ballast...once it's free wheeling there are no brakes...

 

[davrow]

4wd helps, but I have areas of silt (runoff) where I can still spin all four wheels without going anywhere.

 

[jgedmond]

I would not have a tractor without 4wd! It makes that much difference for loader work and ground engaging tools. There are several implements that have a different HP rating for 2 wd and a lower one for 4 wd so you can think of it as a power boost. Just be aware though that if you get a 4wd tractor stuck, you're really stuck.

Been there done that. Once I got the Mahindra stuck and pulled it out with the 4Runner which got stuck and pulled it out with the Mahindra. By then everything was on solid enough ground.

That's why you need a good long chain and a 4WD truck / SUV or, better yet, another 4WD tractor. :laughing:

 

[goeduck]

I have been in 4 WD and spinning like crazy in 2 situations. On rutted wet high clay ground and in a cattle corral after a heavy rain. That said, I only use my 2 WD on flay dry ground if at all possible.

 

[chim]

My first tractor was 2WD, turf tires with a belly mower. There were times that it wouldn't do gentle hills on damp grass. However, with tire chains it would clear snow like a 4WD. Next 4 were all 4WD. Last 3 tractors had loaders and 4WD has often been needed to fill the bucket.

 

[oosik]

Back in the day - when God made dirt - I was a member of the local 4WD club in Anchorage, AK. There was a saying among club members - "a 4WD unit will probably get you to places where nobody other than a club member can come help you out".

This is true with my 4WD "Taco Wagon" and my 4WD Kubota M6040. Just be aware of where you are and where you intend to go.

That being said - there are DEFINITELY areas, on my property, where I WILL NOT take the Power Wagon( Taco Wagon ) nor the Kubota during the spring wet season. I have never been stuck with the Power Wagon - my first tractor, not so fortunate. It took a few sessions before I learned where/when I could go in certain areas. It's a loooong walk back to get the hand operated cable come-along.

I made a couple really foolish mistakes with my first tractor. This will never be repeated.

 

[TheMan419]

Huge difference. I go in and out of 4wd depending on the task. 2wd for mowing and light work. If I need to move manure or snow or dirt 4wd makes all the difference. Of course you need to have proper ballast for the task at hand. 4wd is not a substitute for loaded tires or a weight box hanging off the 3 point.

If you get stuck in 2wd, pop into 4wd will, usually, get you out. If you get stuck in 4wd that is a whole different game. So be careful about that.

 

[RalphVa]

Only way to go here on our property with lots of slopes and uneven spots. BIG SAFETY hazard to go downhill not in 4wd. Stays in except for runs up and down the paved driveway.

Ralph

 

[Jchonline]

I would not even consider 2wd in my part of the country. Fine for field work, not fine for anything else.

 

[AWSubie]

4WD and a locking differential make almost anything possible.

 

[k0ua]

As everyone has said, it makes a huge difference. A 2wd tractor on my hilly place would be totally useless. It would be at the bottom of one of the hills and there it would stay. Like everyone else I made the mistake of accidently descending one of my hills in 2wd with a loaded bucket. Oh boy! Talk about a ride! I successfully operated a Large full size 2wd tractor on flat ground for a number of years. It even had a loader on it and it worked pretty well with loaded tires and ballast on the rear at all times. It did OK as long as it wasn't too wet. But it was a full size tractor with R1 tires. But the whole place was fairly flat. But down here in Branson with nothing but steep hills, it would not be of much use.

 

[k0ua]

Only way to go here on our property with lots of slopes and uneven spots. BIG SAFETY hazard to go downhill not in 4wd. Stays in except for runs up and down the paved driveway.

Ralph

Kind of like a cheap thrill carnival ride. Once those rear tires break traction, its WHOO HOO! hang on Nellie !

 

[ericm979]

I think 4wd makes more difference with a tractor than a truck. It gives you front wheel braking. And with a tractor you can change the weight distribution much more than on a truck since the tractor wheelbase is shorter and you can load the front end quite a bit with a full load in the loader.

My land is steep, I would not be without 4wd.

 

[nyone]

I went from a 2wd 60hp old farm tractor with loader to a 19hp 4x4 tractor with loader. I find that 4x4 basicly gets me stuck worse.

If you find your self needing 4x4 just to do loader work on flat ground you need more rear weight and or better traction for the rear tires.

 

[Jstpssng]

Been there done that. Once I got the Mahindra stuck and pulled it out with the 4Runner which got stuck and pulled it out with the Mahindra. By then everything was on solid enough ground.

That's why you need a good long chain and a 4WD truck / SUV or, better yet, another 4WD tractor. :laughing:

You can do as well if not better with a chain running from a center bucket hook to a tree, then curling the bucket. That isn't much help if you can't go forward but I try not to get into that type of situation. Of course there's always that one time... as shown in this pic which I posted last winter. That day I was shoveling... despite having the bucket on front and winch on back I was stuck between the snow bank and my shed. :shocked: