2wd vs 4wd

[wango tango]

I bought a Great Plains 3P606NT last year. My JD 4720 can lift it but it squats hard, even with the front ballasted with the loader.

I'm toying with getting an open station 2wd no loader 5325. It would be dedicated to my drill and bushhog. I'd use the extra funds from the 4720 sale for a skid loader or mini ex....decisions decisions....

Guessing a 5325 has a good bit more 3pt lift capacity? The one I'm looking at has 4 suitcase weights on the front. The other plus is the 5325 is about 11k and I could get 30+ for my 4720.

I am now thinking that if you need 4wd you should not be planting. Would others agree? Effectively rendering 4wd a moot point for my application? Agree or disagree?

 

[Hay Dude]

I bought a Great Plains 3P606NT last year. My JD 4720 can lift it but it squats hard, even with the front ballasted with the loader.

I'm toying with getting an open station 2wd no loader 5325. It would be dedicated to my drill and bushhog. I'd use the extra funds from the 4720 sale for a skid loader or mini ex....decisions decisions....

Guessing a 5325 has a good bit more 3pt lift capacity? The one I'm looking at has 4 suitcase weights on the front. The other plus is the 5325 is about 11k and I could get 30+ for my 4720.

I am now thinking that if you need 4wd you should not be planting. Would others agree? Effectively rendering 4wd a moot point for my application? Agree or disagree?

Agree about 2wd and planting, but will you need 4wd for other work?

 

[jeff9366]

I bought a Great Plains 3P606NT last year. My JD 4720 can lift it but it squats hard, even with the front ballasted with the loader.

One of your earlier posts, September 2019, mentions you have a CAB JD4720. With a heavy drill on the Three Point Hitch and 2-ply R1/ag tires of coarse the cab tractor will squat.

With 6-ply R4/industrial tires providing more sidewall support it would squat less but you would have less traction.

Which tires do you have? Are all four tires inflated to recommended pressures? Are rear tires filled with liquid or air?

Is tire squat your main issue? How old are your tires?

 

[Farmer495]

I bought a Great Plains 3P606NT last year. My JD 4720 can lift it but it squats hard, even with the front ballasted with the loader.

I'm toying with getting an open station 2wd no loader 5325. It would be dedicated to my drill and bushhog. I'd use the extra funds from the 4720 sale for a skid loader or mini ex....decisions decisions....

Guessing a 5325 has a good bit more 3pt lift capacity? The one I'm looking at has 4 suitcase weights on the front. The other plus is the 5325 is about 11k and I could get 30+ for my 4720.

I am now thinking that if you need 4wd you should not be planting. Would others agree? Effectively rendering 4wd a moot point for my application? Agree or disagree?

Did field work for years with a 2wd tractor. Only have the 4wd tractor in 4x4 to do tillage. I seed in 2wd.

The 5325 you are looking at does not have a loader...so 2wd is fine.

 

[RickB]

Wil the front weight bracket accommodate more weights? You probably will need more. Will the drill cover the width of the wheel tracks? Other than that I think you will be fine, just stay out of wet spots.

 

[wango tango]

One of your earlier posts, September 2019, mentions you have a CAB JD4720. With a heavy drill on the Three Point Hitch and 2-ply R1/ag tires of coarse the cab tractor will squat.

With 6-ply R4/industrial tires providing more sidewall support it would squat less but you would have less traction.

Which tires do you have? Are all four tires inflated to recommended pressures? Are rear tires filled with liquid or air?

Is tire squat your main issue? How old are your tires?

Has r4 with beet juice. 2012 tires.

 

[wango tango]

Agree about 2wd and planting, but will you need 4wd for other work?

Planning on a skid loader for other work. The FEL on my 4410 and 4720 feel flimsy. Combine that with general clumsiness and I just want to replatform to a much more capable machine. Like a skid loader.

 

[wango tango]

Wil the front weight bracket accommodate more weights? You probably will need more. Will the drill cover the width of the wheel tracks? Other than that I think you will be fine, just stay out of wet spots.

Yes, looks like it will.

 

[Hay Dude]

Planning on a skid loader for other work. The FEL on my 4410 and 4720 feel flimsy. Combine that with general clumsiness and I just want to replatform to a much more capable machine. Like a skid loader.

I hear you.
I am constantly “tweaking” my farming & contracting operation. I will probably have everything right about 1 year before I retire. :laughing:

 

[Zebrafive]

JD 5325 is rated at 3374lbs on the 3pt.

 

[wango tango]

My 4720 is 2500 lbs. The 5325 should lift my drill ok. Like I said my 4720 does but squats. I only get a few inches or clearance.

 

[wango tango]

I assume a 2wd 5325 with R1s would have the same pulling ability as my 4720 with MFWD and R4’s. Thoughts? I’m just always worried that 2 wheel drive will not be enough but again this is only going to be used to drill and bushhog. Probably should not be in the fields if it’s that wet I guess. That’s my logic.

Thoughts?

 

[Hay Dude]

I assume a 2wd 5325 with R1s would have the same pulling ability as my 4720 with MFWD and R4’s. Thoughts? I’m just always worried that 2 wheel drive will not be enough but again this is only going to be used to drill and bushhog. Probably should not be in the fields if it’s that wet I guess. That’s my logic.

Thoughts?

I think youre probably over thinking this, but then again I dont know how either rig is weighted, tire condition, loader, etc. Pictures would really help. I think you have a sound plan, but remember, the weather wont always cooperate. Thats in Gods hands. If ground is slightly wet, you may still have to bush hog.....whats the bush hog property look like? Hilly? Damp? I mow hundreds of acres of conservancy meadows, which can be challenging even if it rained several days prior to mowing. Nice thing about 4WD is you wont have spinning tires if you must "go" shortly after rain.
Does the 5325 have real fresh deep rubber? Weights? That will make a difference.
My ground is too hilly for 2WD, so my decision is made for me.

 

[wango tango]

4720 has R4’s with time guard. Full cab and loader

The 5325 will be R1 with 400-800lbs on front via old school weights. No cab. No loader. The tires are good. Not new but good.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/192096117/2008-john-deere-5325

 

[Hay Dude]

4720 has R4’s with time guard. Full cab and loader

The 5325 will be R1 with 400-800lbs on front via old school weights. No cab. No loader. The tires are good. Not new but good.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/192096117/2008-john-deere-5325

And you’re hanging how much weight on the 3pt?

 

[wango tango]

About 2800-3100 I’d guess. Drill is 2500ish empty. Depending on seed load.

 

[Hay Dude]

About 2800-3100 I’d guess. Drill is 2500ish empty. Depending on seed load.

Well, I think you are going too small, but it’s easy for me to spend your money.
Tractor data says 3pt lift capacity 3375lbs at 24” Total tractor weight is only ~6,000lbs
Once full of seed, I think you’ll be at capacity.
If I were in your situation, I’d go to an older 80-100HP tractor with more frame and weight without hesitation. There’s a plethora of those tractors sitting around for sale.

 

[wango tango]

I appreciate your wisdom!

Found a 1978 allis chalmers 185 with 2k hours and a lot of replaced stuff for $7k. Bonus is it’s right by my farm!

I can’t find 3 pt lift capacity though....

 

[Hay Dude]

It’s not a heck of a lot more tractor than the 5325.
I’d keep looking

 

[wango tango]

Any models you’d think would be a good fit? Go ahead and spend my money. It’s ok.

I just don’t have much to spend!