Can I leave my Kubota 3901 in 4WD?

CindyCRNA · Oct 14, 2020

We have 20 acres we just bought along with a new tractor. I have 5 square feet of flat ground and the rest in some form of hill. Some shallow, some I won't be mowing any time soon, if ever, with a tractor. I have a whopping total of 7 hours on the tach but am wondering if this is hard on the tractor. I do have maybe 3-4 acres that is flatish that would probably be fine in 2WD but have seen some videos of folks mowing a hill in 2WD vs 4WD and the 2WD started skidding down the hill with a rear tire slipping (not sure what was going on with the other 3 tires as the camera was only looking down on 1 rear tire). All I'm doing is pulling a 5' brush hog currently. Thoughts? Sorry for the newby question.

k0ua · Oct 14, 2020

In general leave it in 4wd unless you are solid pavement. For the safety reason you mentioned when operating on hilly terrain, and of course traction. if on concrete or asphalt, you can shift to 2WD. You may operate on flat grassy or dirt surfaces if they are mostly flat, but DON"T forget to put it back in 4wd when ascending and especially descending on hilly terrain. So again, in general leave it in 4WD most of the time is the norm.

s219 · Oct 14, 2020

As long as the ground surface is loose and allows the tires to slip in turns you should be OK. Obviously, don't do it on pavement, concrete, etc, or you can cause driveline damage.

That said, nothing you described seems to exceed the intended "on demand" setup for 4WD on that tractor. I have a similar mix of hills and flat, as well as mud and firm ground. When I know I will need 4WD I pull up the handle. It's not a major production to go in/out of 4WD on these tractors.

airbiscuit · Oct 14, 2020

Good advice above. That said, I would occasionally take it out of 4wd for a bit now and again so it doesn't get "wound up".

jeff9366 · Oct 15, 2020

Enter you new tractor make and model into your T-B-N PROFILE.

Wagtail · Oct 15, 2020

airbiscuit said:
Good advice above. That said, I would occasionally take it out of 4wd for a bit now and again so it doesn't get "wound up".

Fully agree with the above advice. The only time that I ensure that I'm in 2WD is when I'm 'on the road', which basically means that you are 'at speed' (high revs+high range+pedal to the metal).

mikester · Oct 15, 2020

I let traction be my guide and only turn on 4WD when I need it. Less ground damage and less wear and tear on the tractor that way.

RickB · Oct 15, 2020

jeff9366 said:
Enter you new tractor make and model into your T-B-N PROFILE.

Having difficulty reading the thread title?

seville009 · Oct 15, 2020

l leave it in 4wd when mowing because it seems like the tractor drives a little smoother when brush hogging my field, probably because the front wheels are helping pull the tractor iver the bumps and ridges.