Difference Between 4WD and MFWD ?

[bigcut]

It's probably been asked before, but, what is the difference between 4WD and MFWD ? Is one better than the other or have advantages ? Is one typically more expensive ? How about maintenance & repair, problems, etc. ?

Appreciate any education you could provide me.
John

 

[k0ua]

I will take a crack at it and see what others say. 4WD, may or may not be "mechanical" as in MFWD (Mechanical Front Wheel Drive). Some front drive system are hydraulic with hydraulic motors on the front, not drive shafts, U joints, and differentials. Also some mechanical systems are not really designed to be full time 4wd system, but to only be used to assist the main rear drive, and are called MFWA as in "Mechanical Front Wheel Assist". Most CUT sized tractors are going to be Mechanical in nature, in other words, drive shafts, and such, not hydraulic, and are going to be considered "assist" not full time systems...One thing to note is the tires on most CUTS are much smaller on the front than the back, and do not have the pulling power that the rear tires do.

Others may argue some or all of these points, but that is what I think.

 

[hosspuller]

In the ag world, A 4WD is an articulated tractor... That is it steers by bending in the middle. A MFWD is a tractor that steers the front wheels while driving them.

 

[ModMech]

^^^ What he said, or "4 WD" can also refer to a "2 WD" tractor with 4 rear tires, but that's not common.

 

[MHarryE]

What Hossworld said - 4wd in ag refers to large articulated. MFWD is Mechanical Front Wheel Drive - like an old time 2 WD tractor with mechanical front wheel drive that can be engaged or not engaged. The 4wd tractors have the articulation joint in the exact center so there is no differential needed between front and rear. Consequently front and rear tires are the same size. MFWD is typically disengaged for highway travel. Our John Deere and New Holland tractors have an auto position on their MFWD. When the tractor reaches a certain ground speed the front wheels are automatically disengaged - assumption is the tractor is being roadbed. If the brakes are engaged the MFWD is automatically engaged to reduce stopping distance.

 

[bigcut]

What Hossworld said - 4wd in ag refers to large articulated. MFWD is Mechanical Front Wheel Drive - like an old time 2 WD tractor with mechanical front wheel drive that can be engaged or not engaged. The 4wd tractors have the articulation joint in the exact center so there is no differential needed between front and rear. Consequently front and rear tires are the same size. MFWD is typically disengaged for highway travel. Our John Deere and New Holland tractors have an auto position on their MFWD. When the tractor reaches a certain ground speed the front wheels are automatically disengaged - assumption is the tractor is being roadbed. If the brakes are engaged the MFWD is automatically engaged to reduce stopping distance.

Thank you for your response...however, I'm still unclear...must be me. I have an old Ford truck that I can lock out the front hubs and engage 4WD. I know some Ford's are equipped with hydraulics that enable one to shift on the fly from inside the cab. Is this anything like that ?

On tractors, is the MFWD more desirable or advantageous over what I'll call full-time 4WD ?

Sorry about my inability to grasp things. I appreciate your patience.
John

 

[Coyote machine]

You're confusing apples/oranges. Your furd truck has the ability to engage the front axle to make all 4 wheels pull when the front hubs are engaged, locked IN, not locked out. When unlocked the truck is rear wheel drive only. In the cab is a button that actuates 4wd electrically, instead of manual hub turning at the front wheels.
The posters were talking about articulating tractors which are pinned in the middle of the chassis/frame and allow all four wheels to turn, and the tractor front 1/2 can and does turn at the pivot point instead of the entire tractor following the front wheels in a straight line, therefore a more flexible turning radius, and all four wheels are independently turning and pulling at the same time. More traction, more maneuverability, etc. And they mentioned mechanical 4wd uses axles, differentials, etc. like your truck.

 

[Tx Jim]

Back in the heyday of large 4WD tractors besides articulated models that pivoted in the center some manufacturers built "crab steering" where both frt & rear wheels steered similar to MFWD frt axle.

 

[ber72564]

It's probably been asked before, but, what is the difference between 4WD and MFWD ? Is one better than the other or have advantages ? Is one typically more expensive ? How about maintenance & repair, problems, etc. ?

Appreciate any education you could provide me.
John

bigcut, your profile says Garden Tractor. I too have a garden tractor. A John Deere X748 with HFWD (Hydrostatic Front Wheel Drive). There were previous models of the X700 series that had MFWD (Mechanical Front Wheel Drive). The difference is a MFWD has a mechanical drive shaft from the rear trans axle to the front axle. The front axle contains a traditional differential and transfer case all mechanically linked to the rear hydro static trans-axle where the power is generated.

A HFWD's front axle is actually two variable displacement hydrostatic motors where the fluid for the motors comes from the hydro static pump in the rear trans axle. There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles.

 

[bigcut]

Thanks ber,
I now understand what HFWD is....but must confess my understanding is still unclear on my original post. Thanks,
John