2 or 4 wheel drive

[klint]

is it better to have a smaller 20hp and under 4x4 or a bigger 20 and over 2 wheel drive?Would be used for mowing,plowing snow,and brush hogging.Can you get away with 2 wheel plowing snow.I know mowing and hogging hp is more important.

 

[devildog1]

You did not include where you are located, so That would make a huge difference since total snow fall winds and drifting snow have to figured into the mix. In the past where I live in Up-state N.Y. we do regularly receive some huge snow falls and seeing that I live in the country surrounded by open cut fields of corn the wind is my enemy.My past tractors were 2 wd's with ring chains at around 55 HP. Even that Hp With the back blade I would spin the tires if snow was deep and wet, not a good thing for black top driveways. With a rear mount snow blower task was much easier but some times I would still spin tires. I had a BX23 TLB with front snow blower and I have to say never spun tires even when I went off blacktop, only used 4 WD when I went across back field to make paths for the dogs. That tractor was only 23 HP and with the front blower snow clean up was a dream, I can't say what it would do with plow because I never had one for it. But my experiences with plows and the weight of your machine and traction are your friend. Hopes this helps you make your choice.
DevilDog

 

[bp fick]

Back in our youth, all tractors were 2wd. They worked hard and well. Many of them are still on farm, field and estate working.
The tractor then was a manual. It also likely weighed in heavy, with its cast iron body, and heavy iron features. It has large rear tires that turn slowly and surely. They also "only" had 12-24 hp and almost always burnt gasoline.

Today, a typical lighter tractor with nifty features like POWER STEERING rule the day. With Front Wheel Assist, they perform very, very well.

If I had to choose between 20-24 hp on a 2wd or 18-20 hp on 4wd, there'd be no consternation in choosing whatsoever. Oh wait, I did just have that choice!! No doubt 4wd.


I suspect you ask because if you had $12000 only, and had to choose spending that $12000 on the examples you gave, your $12000 would only buy one or the other. Or, buy used and get both hp and 4wd.

 

[trook]

4WD all the way

 

[MikeInEburg]

If you're mowing lawn, you'll want a lighter-weight tractor, hence smaller 4-wheel drive is better bet. Much also depends on the terrain of your land. For me, it would be the only way to go...

Mike

 

[easygo]

I would join the ones posted before me. The slower mowing lower HP 4 wd tractor would certainly be less frustrating in the snow when the 2wd would work much worse. Besides the 20-25 hp 2wd tractor will not weigh much more then the 16-20 hp 4x4.

 

[Johndeere3720]

4wd! makes me wonder what to use my 2wd simplicity for. Oh well, my 4wd Yanmar will do the job just fine.

 

[CHDinCT]

Does anybody make an under 40 or 30 hp tractor that isn't 4WD? I haven't seen any late models in this range that are 2WD. I'm sure there are older tractors in this hp range that are 2WD, but it seems 4WD is almost standard now until you get to the big boys with their much heavier weight.

 

[aczlan]

My father just went from a 2wd 50hp MF Industrial 35 (50hp Perkins, monster loader, loaded tires, wheel weights and chains) to a 4wd Kubota L3650 (~36hp, four loaded tires, much smaller, tighter turning radius, cab).
The Kubota will pull the 10' offset disc that he has better than the Massey used to. Time will tell, but I think it will be more useful than the old tractor was due to the fact that it has a better power to weight ratio and 4wd.

Aaron Z

 

[klint]

Im in michigan.The reason i ask 2 or 4 wheel is i was looking at buying kubota b1700 for $5800 but i could get a massey 1220 for $4000.The kubota is 4x4 and the massey is not.The kubota is 17hp and the massey is 20hp both hydro trans.I went and test drove a b7300 wich is the same 17hp as the b1700 and when i was testing the mowing deck (60inch mmm) the tractor felt like it was bogging down.I have never had anything but 4x4 tractors and i have had 33 to 20 hp ones but nothing under 20.Im just worried that the 17 hp might under powered.Your thoughts?

 

[MikeInEburg]

17 HP is OK for all of your tasks except brush hogging. You're realistically limited to a 4' mower - which may work fine for you. Regardless, I'd stick with 4 wheel drive.
Mike

 

[klint]

I wouldnt be doing much brush hogging 1/2 to 1 acere is it,mostly cutting paths.My other thinking was if i run a tiller or disc for a small half acere food plot.Its main task are grass cutting between 2 to 3 aceres and plowing a 250 ft driveway with drifts at the end.I just got rid of a b2150 wich was a 24 hp, so my concern is the speed of what the 17 horse will cut.It used to take 1 and 1/2 hours with the a 5ft deck.The only reason i got rid of the 2150 is i wanted the open platform.

 

[klint]

Oh and i was thinking why not just get the 2 wheel drive and get a 5ft 3 point snow blower.Anyone know how much a used one would cost or where to get it?And is there a problem using a snowblower on 2 wheel drive?

 

[LBrown59]

4WD all the way

If you're mowing lawn, you'll want a lighter-weight tractor, hence smaller 4-wheel drive is better bet. Much also depends on the terrain of your land. For me, it would be the only way to go...

Mike

4x4 is the only way to fly.

 

[dirt clod]

For ground engaging work you weight and traction for mowing you need hp.
Bottom line you can mow slower to make up for lower hp. The same can not be said for traction. 4wd is important on compacts for traction.

 

[bp fick]

Im in michigan.The reason i ask 2 or 4 wheel is i was looking at buying kubota b1700 for $5800 but i could get a massey 1220 for $4000.The kubota is 4x4 and the massey is not.The kubota is 17hp and the massey is 20hp both hydro trans.I went and test drove a b7300 wich is the same 17hp as the b1700 and when i was testing the mowing deck (60inch mmm) the tractor felt like it was bogging down.I have never had anything but 4x4 tractors and i have had 33 to 20 hp ones but nothing under 20.Im just worried that the 17 hp might under powered.Your thoughts?

You may indeed have felt the 17 hp bogged a bit dealing with tough grass, thick grass or damp grass under the 60" MMM. That is a rather large deck for a 17 hp. Estimating the PTO hp at 13. A 48" or even a 54" would have been a slightly better fit, perhaps, for that b1700, imho.

Here's the thing. It isn't nearly so much about gross hp as it is about properly matching things. A properly matched implement makes a joyful experience. Mismatching can occur at ANY hp. It just takes the joy out of things. I occasionally borrow an implement that is too big for my machine. I get by, but it just isn't easy and makes the job more difficult. Even if a smaller hp tractor may need a few more passes to complete the job with a smaller implement, still, in the end, it is a more efficient and enjoyable experience.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I couldn't even imagine having a 2WD for snow removal.

 

[bp fick]

I couldn't even imagine having a 2WD for snow removal.

There certainly are a huge number of places where out back sits an old Fergie or Ford with back blade and is what folks use to plow snow. It's what they have. I would just prefer a modern tractor with power steering, 4wd and work off the front with full hydraulics control.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Don't know your terrain but my hillsides require 4wd. Ocassionally I put mine in 2wd crossing the yard but then when starting up the hill it starts spinning and it's back to 4wd. Also coming down the steep parts when in 2wd it's like a run away but in 4wd I never notice how steep the hill is because it holds itself back. Don't do snow so have no experience with that but to me I'd think 4wd would be required but don't know from experience.

 

[Reg]

With a diff lock and the loader removed there isn't THAT MUCH difference in traction between a 2 wd and 4wd tractor.
Those front wheels don't do a heck of a lot of pulling at tractor pulls once they're off the ground (-:
Diff lock and chains can probably get you through the snow plowing, though of course you will probably want the loader ON for moving accumulated snow.