4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[briancd]

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[Doc_Bob]

Like has been said, it does indeed depend on your needs and that may well be determined on where you live.

That says it all.
Bob

 

[briancd]

I think the debate has already been settled but I figured I'd weigh in with my 2c as a little tractor owner. I don't have 40 or 20 or 2 years experience with tractors but what the h**l. Multiple opinions are where its at. I bought a NH tc26da in may 06 and I have 100 hours on it. Yes, listen to me because I speak from an unbiased position. We've used the tractor to regrade 300m of gravel drive with 7 loads of 5/8 gravel with fines, build gardens from about 6 loads of topsoil, and created 200m on new gravel laneways. PS m=39inches or 1.+ yards for you metrically challenged. Anyway, the only time I've used 2wd is driving up anmd down my lane with nothing in the FEL. In 2wd I lose traction trying to scoop a load of gravel, or going down a hill, or navigating rocky terrain. I feel really unsafe when doing "heavy" (I know it's all relative) work in 2wd. I don't know the price difference for "real" tractors but for my baby tractor 4wd is the ONLY way to go. And by the way, even in 2wd my 800# BH or my 500# boxblade Plus my filled rear wheels don't help like 4wd does. Or should I say, "front wheel assist". Just scale up my comments by 2x or 3x and you've got your "real tractor" answer.

 

[john_bud]

{snip]

I really like what John Bud said earlier about giving the FIL something to gripe about to make him feel good. Really good advice, John is a pretty savvy dude.

Gawwsh, you're mak'n me blush...


I actually learned that tid-bit when giving presentations to directors and VP's. They usually didn't undertand the technobabble, were made uncomfortable because they should have being technical in their backgrounds and would just try and kill me to make themselves feel better. Finally figured out to put a "dufus" thing in the first couple slides for them to find and correct, then they would sit back and concentrate on the information - having proven their superiority once more.


jb

 

[_RaT_]

Gawwsh, you're mak'n me blush...


I actually learned that tid-bit when giving presentations to directors and VP's. They usually didn't undertand the technobabble, were made uncomfortable because they should have being technical in their backgrounds and would just try and kill me to make themselves feel better. Finally figured out to put a "dufus" thing in the first couple slides for them to find and correct, then they would sit back and concentrate on the information - having proven their superiority once more.


jb

John Bud, I second 3 rivers comments.. that makes 2, a third and your well, not out but you are in...

 

[3RRL]

Gawwsh, you're mak'n me blush...


I actually learned that tid-bit when giving presentations to directors and VP's. They usually didn't undertand the technobabble, were made uncomfortable because they should have being technical in their backgrounds and would just try and kill me to make themselves feel better. Finally figured out to put a "dufus" thing in the first couple slides for them to find and correct, then they would sit back and concentrate on the information - having proven their superiority once more.


jb

Likewise John,
I learned to do that very same thing while presenting a design concept to my customer engineers (plastic injection molds). I would always draw an obvious mistake like an ejector pin going right through a water line and usually on page 2. This would hit them in the face and give them a chance to "correct" my design. They would then leave alone the main concept of what I was trying to accomplish. I used to teach that technique to all my designers and it worked every time.
Nevertheless, in reading your posts, I think you are still a pretty savvy guy, and your sarcasm is second to none too.

 

[john_bud]

and your sarcasm is second to none too.

Whoops! Have to back that down to a more manageable level.

jb

 

[Richard]

I was moving buckest full of rotten horse manure. The stuff was heavy and very slippery. I guess I had 800# of manure in the bucket.

Wow, them is some prolific horses!!

 

[JimParker]

..."You really need to hit a set of blades like these '57 Hogans....there's nothing better."

Well, I stiffed it again and I said to him, "Yeah, they're nice, but I bet those guys at the 1957 Indy 500 thought they had the fastest race car ever too"...

The funny thing is that those golf pros in '57 were scoring about the same as today's pros... (I know, courses have changed, and so have teaching methods, training methods, etc.)

I'm just saying that you have to be very selective how you use that argument... Lots of "old school stuff" beats the heck out of today's "upgrades"...

 

[3RRL]

I'm just saying that you have to be very selective how you use that argument... Lots of "old school stuff" beats the heck out of today's "upgrades"...

Big Jim,
I certainly agree with you there.
It was an example of how to make some people see, that in some cases, modern equipment/ideas, are sometimes useful and should be considered, (at least to make a comparison) rather than just overlooking them. Know what I mean?
BTW, LOL ... I have been playing blades (old school) same set for the last 15 years. hahaha
Rob-

 

[JoeinTX]

Probably the only disadvantage to FWA is potentially higher maintenance and costs should something go wrong with the drivetrain. But, I don't hear of too many actual FWA failures, so, it's probably not a likelihood on the average.

I've never operated an FWA tractor......plenty of 2wd from 20-120hp though. My father recently got a Kubota with all the bells and whistles including FWA and he uses it primarily for dirt work and utility jobs......and he was one to criticize 4wd be it on a tractor or truck or whatever else up to that time. Now, he swears by it and comments about how much of a worker it is compared to what he's had in the past.

Me, I'm kind a stick-in-the-mud and still probably wouldn't seek out an FWA model versus a 2wd if looking to buy.

As soundguy mentioned earler, weighting has a great deal to do with tractor performance. Besides, I'm in no wet or rough conditions so it seems like something I can "live without" and not miss.......maybe because I don't know what I'm missing........?

 

[Soundguy]

All depends of what you are doing. it sounds like you've worked with 2wd tractors that have been fine... thus you don't 'feel' like you are missing anything. Same here... I don't need 4wd to mow a flat pasture...

Soundguy

 

[JerryG]

I some instances a person doesn’t need to own a 4wd. Soundguy’s situation is one of those instances. If you don’t do ground engagement that is on the edge of what the tractor is capable of (weight wise or HP) or you only have flat ground that you mow, there is no need for 4wd. On the other hand, the type of land and operations that I have, I have to have 4wd to be able to complete my work. I mow on extremely steep places where I have no room to turn around when I get to the top. I have to do an about face and go right back down. Some of these areas are so steep that when I have tried to do some parts in 2wd, I couldn’t even get started up the hill. This was because of how steep it was and also the thickness of the grass and weeds. When going off these same areas in 2wd it is like a roller coaster. I need that 4wd drive train braking.

 

[_RaT_]

I some instances a person doesn’t need to own a 4wd. Soundguy’s situation is one of those instances. If you don’t do ground engagement that is on the edge of what the tractor is capable of (weight wise or HP) or you only have flat ground that you mow, there is no need for 4wd. On the other hand, the type of land and operations that I have, I have to have 4wd to be able to complete my work. I mow on extremely steep places where I have no room to turn around when I get to the top. I have to do an about face and go right back down. Some of these areas are so steep that when I have tried to do some parts in 2wd, I couldn’t even get started up the hill. This was because of how steep it was and also the thickness of the grass and weeds. When going off these same areas in 2wd it is like a roller coaster. I need that 4wd drive train braking.

Your experience is quite similar to mine Jerry. I need the braking of all 4 wheels. I suppose thats one of the nice advantages of livng with slopes, you don't just contemplate 4WD, you get it and you will indeed use it.

 

[charlesw]

Well... In the first 10 minutes of operation of my new tractor I got stuck. Sure, I could have gotten out by dumping the loader or something. Or... I could just pop it in 4wd. Which I did. It was like I'd never been stuck.

 

[therebarely]

There are many times while brushhogging that the rear tires will loose traction and the tractor will stop. This has never happened in 4 wd, and that is even on flat, rough ground. To me, a 2 wd tractor just isn't close to being comparable. Also, if you research, the one option that you get all your money back on is front wheel assist.

 

[charlesw]

There are many times while brushhogging that the rear tires will loose traction and the tractor will stop.

You know, you've just lot me, there. Unless there's something I'm missing like big hills or a boggy area, or something, it doesn't seem like this activity would have much chance for losing traction. With my old 9n (obviously 2wd) the only time I got stuck was in a swap. Well, other than the time that I high-sided on a stump... But... I mean, I was pulling a 5 footer with that tractor (way too much for it) and never got stuck. Again, there must be something I'm missing...

 

[Soundguy]

Again.. I think it's an issue of application... those of us mowing happily on 2wd tractors are obviously mowing in areas was extreme traction is not needed. Like you mention... with ford ford and mower.. I pull my 15' batwing all over my pasture with my 2wd tractor.. have -never- broke traction.. even in weeds taller than my canopy... ( and the canopy on a NH 7610s is on up there.. ). They must be refering to extreme terain.. etc.

That's why manufacturers make 2wd and 4wd tractors... those of use that don't need it.. don't want to pay for it.. and resale options are only usefull if you don't plan on keeping your tractor..

Soundguy

 

[john_bud]

Sound,

You are exactly right! On your flat ground 4wd would have no benefit while mowing. On my ground there are a couple places where I need to go up a 25% slope on ground that has heavy clay and grows rocks. That is an extreme that requires some extra traction. I'm glad that it is available.

jb

 

[machmeter62]

I believe if one is working in semi-soft conditions like plowing, etc.; FWD will do the job with more efficiency, by eliminating the front "dead wheel" syndrome of being pushed through soft soil, vs pulling like the rears? But using 4WD, which may require more HP, may cancel that advantage?