4WD: Advantages/disadvantages

[SkyPup]

One disadvantage to 4WD is that when you are using it, you are much more prone to breaking something when the tractor comes into contact with something you were not expecting, in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

 

[_RaT_]

One disadvantage to 4WD is that when you are using it, you are much more prone to breaking something when the tractor comes into contact with something you were not expecting, in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

Ask me how I know that? That plus a TnT on my box scraper and it can spell structural failure. The rock was easily twice the weight of my tractor however.

 

[Doc_Bob]

in 2WD usually the rear tires just spin without the 3 pt hitch or whatever getting bent outa shape.....(another good reason to be a proficent welder! )

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

 

[Glowplug]

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

I think he was (somewhat sarcastically) referring to the lack of traction in 2WD being a safety benefit. In 2WD the point of least resistance would be the traction. If you hit something, the first thing to "give" is the traction. In 4WD the point of least resistance is the piece of tractor that has hit an obstacle. For example, your 3ph hits an obstacle. In 2WD you just lose traction and start spinning. The 3PH structure is preserved. With 4WD the traction is better and thus doesn't fail. The traction pulls so that the 3PH is what gives and is thus bent.

I don't think he was referring to just spinning in 2WD due to traction problems.

Of course, this is all just theorectical.

 

[Dargo]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

 

[john_bud]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

Now that's a funny post!

jb

 

[SkyPup]

My NH manual says that spinnning in 2WD is a bad bad thing.
Bob

Does your NH manual say that spinning in 4WD is twice a bad bad thing as spinning in 2WD?

 

[Soundguy]

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?

Before 4wd was a common implementation.. the overwhelming bulk of plowing that this nation say for decades upon decades was done with 2wd tractors... I don't think 4wd magically changed any of that history. What it did was allow the same work to be done with a slightly smaller tractor. Thus.. what might have been done with a large heavy dual rear 2wd tractor could be accomplished with a smaller 4wd job... .. both getting the same tractive force to the ground.. just differently... still got 4 pieces of drive rubber on each example.. etc.

If you have ever looked at early tractors that plowed.. you may have noticed single rib tires that huged a furrow real good, and cut in to make turning more positive.

One of the main concepts of the draft sensing 3pt hitch was to keep hp to the ground.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Numerous advantages have already been addressed. Let's see, disadvantages........hmm,.......well, I guess that about sums up all the disadvantages.

Disadvantage for 4wd would have to be based on a application specific situation.. I.E. a per unit cost on a job... specifically one where traction was not a deciding factor in the cost analysis.

For instance.. you wouldn't want the extra expense of 4wd on a tractor whose sole purpose was to set and run a genset or a water pump on a job... All that unused traction, possibly tieing up thousands of dollars on a large tractor are utterly wasted on a stationary engine... etc...

everything has pro's and con's... they just aren't always standing out in front and on fire drawing attention to themselves.

Soundguy

 

[JoeinTX]

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.

Much like charlesw, you have lost me here too. If you are losing traction while shredding, well, then you either have entirely too heavy of vegitation to try to cut or your trying to pull entirely too large of a shredder for your tractor. Shredding is not a "traction" issue.........it is an engine horsepower and shredder strength issue.


The 4wd has become a recent favorite among the many buyers....it looks good, there's the "anything four wheel drive has got to be better than two wheel drive" syndrome, and the impact of resale.

Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder. You may not need something but simply want it because the appearance is more pleasing.

We see the 4wd syndrome played out most apparently today in the pickup and SUV market. They are a symbiosis of all the factors above.......looks cool, costs more, more at resale, etc.....some (but actually very few) have a genuine need for them. However, they're what the "Jones's" are buying and I need one too.

FWA does allow a smaller tractor to do more to a degree. But, weight and operation are factors. As well, the application may increase or decrease the effect of FWA in practical or financial terms. As soundguy states above, an FWA tractor may well be a monetary and capability overkill for you needs. Vice versa, 2wd may not give the extra "umph" in particular uses that FWA does. In short, guage your needs and match accordingly.

I use mine for shredding, fencing, some plowing and sowing........but I operate rationally with good weight and have never felt like I needed two smaller front wheels helping me along at 15-20% engine output.

Again, if buying new I'm not slavish to the FWA model. I like all aspects of the 2wd and will buy/trade as I see it fits me. I prefer the looks of 2wd and the fewer moving parts and maintenance points. And, I am the oldest 30 year old codger you'll run into.......

 

[_RaT_]

I remember reading from a Michelin website years ago about how getting more traction is more important then meets the eye. The need to weigh down a tractor to gain much needed traction and reduce wheel slip can also be a contributing factor to poor crop growth. Compact soils can severely stunt a plants growth which was easily determined by seeing plants stunted growth where the tractor ran on loose soil and out on the wings where the tractor did not. The remedy was to use low pressure and larger footprint tires. It also mentioned that 4WD and track drives have helped out in this area by helping to eliminate high front/rear weight discrepancies commonly found on 2WD where the farmer will add wheel weights to gain much needed traction. The article was geared towards farmers but I have always remembered the article and the picture of a farmer holding two plants in his hands. One from a low compaction soil and the other from a high compaction soil. The root structure was remarkably different. Here is a newer article about this subject.

Michelin AG - Reduce Soil Compaction

 

[Soundguy]

Again.. it's an application issue... If no vegitation is involved.. there may be a situation where a heavy 2wd may be cheaper than a lighter 4wd.. get the same work done, and a compaction issue may not be involved. Too many variables to tie this argument down with a right/wrong answer.

Soundguy

 

[_RaT_]

Again.. it's an application issue... If no vegitation is involved.. there may be a situation where a heavy 2wd may be cheaper than a lighter 4wd.. get the same work done, and a compaction issue may not be involved. Too many variables to tie this argument down with a right/wrong answer.

Soundguy

Oh, have you mentioned the "application" issue before?
I could see a few applications where 2WD would be good for me, in Chuck's case (the guy who posted this thread), its clearly obvious that 2WD is definitely out. Heavy loader work, snow plowing etc are all 4WD applications, areas where 2WD is miserable at best when compared to 4WD. Even if my applications involved just mowing on flat, moist to dry ground or hauling trailers loaded with hay on pavement, I would still want 4WD. After years of having a 2WD that was heavy, powerful, R1's loaded and then buying a much lighter, less powerful 4WD Kubota, I would never go back. It's that good. So Chuck, GET THE 4WD, you will never be sorry but the reverse will very likely be true.

 

[Dargo]

Again.. it's an application issue... If no vegitation is involved.. there may be a situation where a heavy 2wd may be cheaper than a lighter 4wd.. get the same work done, and a compaction issue may not be involved. Too many variables to tie this argument down with a right/wrong answer.

Soundguy

Now what?? I just bought a new tractor that is both heavy and 4wd. Does that give me the best of both worlds? I can be really heavy and 2wd if I want to, and I can be 4wd as well if need be. Yeehaa! Now with my bush hog on the back I'll weigh about 12,000 pounds and have over 80 hp to chop up anything I run over and to sling mud with all 4 tires.

Psst. You do know my earlier post in this thread was intended to be funny, don't you?

 

[N80]

FWA does allow a smaller tractor to do more to a degree.

I think that is an understatement. Anyone with a small 4wd tractor can tell you that the difference is huge. Application is important, but in any appliacation in which 4wd is useful in a small tractor, trying to do the same thing in 2wd is _dramatically_ harder if not impossible, and possibly a lot less safe.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I bought my CUT, I wanted 4wd because of my jeeping experience. I had only run an older Kubota 4wd tractor before, but really didn't know what Iw as doing when I bought mine. I knew that my jeep would get me into trouble in 2wd, but usually get me out when I put it into 4wd. I expected the CUT to be the same. I was wrong.

You cannot compare tractors to jeeps. They are totally different and there really is nothing similar from one to the other.

Just about every advantage to 4wd has been pointed out except steering. I also have a 2wd Loader/Backhoe, and my land is mostly red clay. Right after a rain, the 2wd tractor is pretty much useless. It will go forward, but you can't turn it. The tires just fill up wiht mud and slide in the mud. Using the rear brakes individually will work a little, but not much. Even a few weeks after the last rain, if I hit a wet spot, I can't steer.

With my 4wd CUT, it's not a problem. It's only 35hp, but it's my first choice to pull out anything that's stuck except my dozer. I have the R1 tires on it, so it does cause some damage, but for now, that's OK. When I'm done clearing and building my roads, I'll change to R4's for just mowing and maintaining.

Turning is better in 4wd because the front tires pull you through a turn when 2wd tires just slide. It's the difference between running your tractor and waiting for the land to dry out.

The only disadvantage besides price, is those front tires do tear up the grass when turning. In 2wd, it's not as bad. Fortunately, I can shift from one to the other, but I never do. It's just allot better to leave it in 4wd and never have to deal with losing traction.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[_RaT_]

When I bought my CUT, I wanted 4wd because of my jeeping experience. I had only run an older Kubota 4wd tractor before, but really didn't know what Iw as doing when I bought mine. I knew that my jeep would get me into trouble in 2wd, but usually get me out when I put it into 4wd. I expected the CUT to be the same. I was wrong.

You cannot compare tractors to jeeps. They are totally different and there really is nothing similar from one to the other.

Just about every advantage to 4wd has been pointed out except steering. I also have a 2wd Loader/Backhoe, and my land is mostly red clay. Right after a rain, the 2wd tractor is pretty much useless. It will go forward, but you can't turn it. The tires just fill up wiht mud and slide in the mud. Using the rear brakes individually will work a little, but not much. Even a few weeks after the last rain, if I hit a wet spot, I can't steer.

With my 4wd CUT, it's not a problem. It's only 35hp, but it's my first choice to pull out anything that's stuck except my dozer. I have the R1 tires on it, so it does cause some damage, but for now, that's OK. When I'm done clearing and building my roads, I'll change to R4's for just mowing and maintaining.

Turning is better in 4wd because the front tires pull you through a turn when 2wd tires just slide. It's the difference between running your tractor and waiting for the land to dry out.

The only disadvantage besides price, is those front tires do tear up the grass when turning. In 2wd, it's not as bad. Fortunately, I can shift from one to the other, but I never do. It's just allot better to leave it in 4wd and never have to deal with losing traction.

Good luck,
Eddie

Good point Eddie. I used to have that problem with an old Datsun truck up at Tahoe. I could navigate the tracks folks had made on the secondary roads in the snow, but could not turn off the tracks to go a different direction, the front wheels just slid in the tracks. Upon getting a Subaru, that issue disappeared. I know excatly what your talking about with regards to tractors as well, its the only way I can stay on the side of the hills around here.

 

[Glowplug]

I'll weigh about 12,000 pounds and have over 80 hp to chop up anything I run over and to sling mud with all 4 tires.

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!! Thanks, that's the best selling point on getting 4WD yet!

 

[Soundguy]

Now what?? I just bought a new tractor that is both heavy and 4wd. Does that give me the best of both worlds? I can be really heavy and 2wd if I want to, and I can be 4wd as well if need be. Yeehaa! Now with my bush hog on the back I'll weigh about 12,000 pounds and have over 80 hp to chop up anything I run over and to sling mud with all 4 tires.

Psst. You do know my earlier post in this thread was intended to be funny, don't you?

My response was not specifically directed at you.

Also.. as for _rat_ likeing to drive his 4wd on the pavement.. I hope his manual says that is ok... many of the 4wd applications say that is a no-no.

Also... The original poster asked for pro and con. Many people listed items for 2wd as being only a 'con'.. when in reality.. there can be application specific.. where sometimes they are a con.. and sometimes are either neutral.. or possibly a 'pro'.. when you take price and application into account.

As i said.. too many variabled to hard and fast lable any setup good or bad... ( just different, and based on use.. )

Soundguy

 

[Glowplug]

My response was not specifically directed at you.

Yeah, I know.