i would say 2wd can do pretty good damage. so can 4wd.
if it was an option and within price range, i would most likely went with a 4wd TLB (tractor loader backhoe) but after taking a fully day 20 hours i think and looking at i want to say 14 to 16 different TLB in price range. it came out to be very last TLB i looked at which was the ford/new holland 555c.
the allis chalmers CA was i need of a riding lawn mower that had extra power and ability to handle hills when mowing.
the 555c will eventually be sold and then a utiltiy class tractor 40hp range will be bought. but dollar for dollar and what needs to be done on the farm. the backhoe has came in very handy plus much more HP and weight class. granted at moment i can not do anything with 3pt hitch equipment. (allis chlamers ca is so old 3pt hitch wasn't really around yet when it was made) and 555c TLB the backhoe doesn't come off due to it being a construction tractor, and not a farm / utiltiy tractor model.
4wd drive, would allow me to be out in the mud, doing things but would also be putting ruts every place i went, and i would end up spending extra time after being out in mud cleaning up all the ruts. vs waiting for things to dry out. by the time things dry out 2wd gets me around just fine.
on other hand, when i do sell 555c TLB and then get a utilty class 40hp tractor or a little bigger. it will be required to have MFWD (4wd) left and rear stearing brakes, differential lock. FEL (front end loader) and possibly a small size 3pt hitch backhoe that is easy to disconnect and reconnect.
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older tractors more so 2wd tractors are selling left and right majorly ((
www.tractorhouse.com)) you rarely see MFWD (4wd) for sell. and if you do. it is a very slim number compared to 2wd tractors. due to farmers upgrade there equipment they are selling off the old 2wd and going with bigger machines and most likely MFWD (4wd) tractors. to get them into the fields or into mushy wet muddy conditions sooner than they could with 2wd.
i wished the 555c TLB i have had the 4wd option on it. i could of done a few more things vs fighting the mud. and not being able to steer and needing to backup or not relying as heavily on left and right back brake pedals to steer me as much.
but just having 4wd. does not take the cake, ya need the experience and the know how. to work things and drive. and know your limits and the tractor limits. 90% of what i do 2wd is just fine. but that other 10% getting out of muddy situations or climbing up or down a hill and keep from sliding all over the place 4wd would by my bread and better. and actually be a lot less free of stress. ya MFWD (4wd) tractors are more complicated vs 2wd tractor. but there built hard to be abused hard, like any other piece of machinery, ya need to stay on preventive maintenance. if ya can't do an oil change on regular basis on a car. you will pay the price of tearing things up on tractors and machinery for them. due to all the grease spots, oil locations and types of oil, amount of time it takes to wash out all the nock and crannies on them. a car or truck is simply compared to tractors in keeping them maintained.