4WD on a lawn?

[Ginormous]

Do you think 4WD would be particularly hard on a lawn, more so than 2WD? I have some hills, but my current 2WD does ok on them, so they're not too steep. If the grass is wet, I sometimes have to engage the locking differential.

 

[Zork]

The only problem I could see is the agricultural tires and tight turns. I use R4's on mine and the front axle eats the lawn if I turn too sharply. My smaller tractor is 2wd with Ag's in the rear but still eats turf in the front when I turn too sharp.

 

[winston1]

Engaged 4 wheel drive + agricultural tires + tight turns = chewed up yard.

Engaged 4 wheel drive + agricultural tires + gentle turns = smooth turf :thumbsup:

I have a YM2002D and mow with 2 wheel drive when at all possible. I do engage 4 wheel drive occasionally but only when really needed.

Turf tires would be the ideal thing but they are cost prohibitive for me plus I do a lot of gardening and I am doubtful I would get the same traction in loose dirt with the turf tires. My rears are also filled with a weak antifreeze solution and will tear up the ground quicker than before non filled.

 

[TripleR]

We use 4WD on all of our yards; no problem if use properly, ie engaged only when the traction is needed.

It doesn't sound as though you need 4WD if 2WD is working OK for you.

 

[jonyyuma]

Okay I use 4x4 all time and have the Titan turf tires. Don't turn hard or they will cut just like the single ribs on my old 2x ford...I pull a 62inch tiller with no wheel spin..32hp Bota.

 

[Car Doc]

I never use it on my lawn its a flat 2+ acres but I think if I did need it and was out there using it that would cause me great suffering after she saw it.

 

[clemsonfor]

I use a freinds JD855. Its a yanmar painted green!! Its got 4wd and when i till the garden with it (only thing i use it for unless i need their loader) and they have the 4wd engaged when i borrow it (say they always leave it in 4wd) if i turn tight even the turf tires will chew the grass down slick under the front tires. IT looks about the same as if you spun out in your truck in the grass. just kind of burns it up and tears it down flat to the ground.

 

[MMagis]

4wd plays little to no part in what damage is done to a yard. It’s the tire design and turning radius that does it. I don’t think anything will tear up a yard more than ribbed front tires.

 

[clemsonfor]

Turning tight in 4wd will deffinitly tear up a yard, i have seen it. Like i said cause there turfs its not really a big deal to me as i have just what ever grows grass but if i had some fancy sod it would bother me. Same tractor turning same radius in 2wd does no damage.

 

[winston1]

4wd plays little to no part in what damage is done to a yard. It痴 the tire design and turning radius that does it. I don稚 think anything will tear up a yard more than ribbed front tires.

I strongly disagree about the 4 wheel drive not playing much of a part. When turning sharply with any tires the front to rear differential difference causes the tire with least resistance to spin, in turn it chews up the grass.

If 4 wheel drive is not engaged the tires do not spin, therefore not near the damage.

I'm sure you are correct about the rib tires and I am not disagreeing with that.

I'm probably wrong but won't be the first time.