Just how good is 4 wheel drive

[DK35vince]

How about the rest of you? Do you use 4WD "most" of the time, or only when you feel you really need it?

If my loader is on, I leave it in 4WD.
If the loader is off for mowing, only when I need it.

 

[TimP]

I have read that I should only use 4WD in challenging conditions because it supposedly uses more fuel, and can tear up the grass in sharp turns.

That was true with my B2150 since it had "Bi-Speed" turn, but I tear up he grass more with the B3000 unless I use 4WD.

Like you, I do use 4WD anytime I use the loader, and especially if I am going up or down any sort of incline.

 

[hks003]

How about the rest of you? Do you use 4WD "most" of the time, or only when you feel you really need it?

My yard is two big hills that meet at a creek. Even with an empty loader, going uphill in 2wd results in spinning tires, and going down hill results in pucker inducing slides, so mine stays in 4wd unless on the concrete drive.

 

[k0ua]

My yard is two big hills that meet at a creek. Even with an empty loader, going uphill in 2wd results in spinning tires, and going down hill results in pucker inducing slides, so mine stays in 4wd unless on the concrete drive.

Same here.

 

[mapper]

I don't have many steep hills on my place so I usually have it 2wd most of the time. 4wd really tears up the lawn whenever I turn. I use 4wd doing loader and ground engagement.

 

[goeduck]

On one property that is about 120 acres I have an elevation difference of about 12 feet (other than going in and out of the creek bed). I have an old 2WD tractor there for pasture mowing and another 4WD. The 4WD normally is in 2WD unless doing loader work or ground engaging. Where I live it is mostly sloped and the tractor there stays in 4 WD unless on concrete.

 

[Cougsfan]

How about the rest of you? Do you use 4WD "most" of the time, or only when you feel you really need it?

The only time I take it out of 4wd is when I am in tight areas where I need to turn sharp and the traction is good. So almost always it is in 4wd. It is amazing how often and how much it helps in so many ways.

 

[3Ts]

I use 4wd only when needed. 4wd tears up my grass, especially with sharp turns. Sometimes I use it with the loader, sometimes not, depends on the weight I'm lifting and what I have for ballast on the back. Use it most times with ground engaging equipment.

 

[fruitcakesa]

With ballast and loaded tires ,2wd in most conditions except wet, steep or downhill with a bucket load

 

[SmallChange]

The tractor bay in my barn requires very tight cornering, and I've disliked how much 4WD tears up the ground, so I often am in 2WD and always start out that way. But going down my driveway can be a bit iffy in 2WD, and absolutely so if I've got weight in the FEL. Filled rears plus an 800 lb ballast box definitely help.

My deep seated fear is that I will forget to go into 4WD on that hill until it is too late. I kind of wish there was some kind of red flag warning, "Hey, remember, you're only running on rears now!"

 

[Agvg]

Well, next time you buy a tractor, be sure it automatically engages 4WD when you brake.

 

[Code54]

I would not even consider 2wd in my part of the country. Fine for field work, not fine for anything else.

Have to agree with this statement. It is really needed in my area.

 

[sd455dan]

Benefits of having MFWD that may not have been mentioned,

front end weight carrying when equipped with FEL
the front axle itself is usually more robust than the 2 wheel drive tractor front axle

May support more weight when travelling over rough ground when a tractor is operating with a heavily loaded FEL.

Some MFWD front axles are also equipped with larger front tires and wheels than the 2 wheel drive counterparts which can make for a smoother ride to.

 

[TerryR]

How about the rest of you? Do you use 4WD "most" of the time, or only when you feel you really need it?

You can turn if off???

Actually, I do turn it off when I'm on pavement, which isn't often. Otherwise it's always on. Most of our place is pretty steep -- the only level areas are the small parking areas at the house and barn. No lawn to tear up, so that's not an issue.

 

[k0ua]

My deep seated fear is that I will forget to go into 4WD on that hill until it is too late. I kind of wish there was some kind of red flag warning, "Hey, remember, you're only running on rears now!"

Yes, that is how it happened to me... 2 or 3 times. "I forgot!". Whooo Hoo... what a ride.

 

[EddieWalker]

Look at it this way. All tractors have one wheel drive. Then when you need more traction, you push down on the lever at your feet the locks the rear differential and now you have 2 wheel drive. A so called 4 wheel drive tractor is actually 2 wheel drive all the time, so when you need more traction, you push down on that lever to lock the rear differential, and now you have 3 wheel drive.

It's a significant improvement. I have both types of tractor and it's night and day better getting around in poor conditions with three tires working over 2. In dry conditions, and where you don't really need the most traction possible, 2 wheel drive works fine. I just learned years ago to never take any chances with the 2 wheel drive tractor after it rains. I make sure everything is rock solid dry first!!!

 

[oosik]

I use 4WD when the situation calls for it. Otherwise - I'm in 2WD. I have 80 acres of virgin open range land. A few tractor tread marks here or there sure isn't going to upset anything.

 

[goeduck]

Well, next time you buy a tractor, be sure it automatically engages 4WD when you brake.

My tractors are not the newest, that is a feature these days?

 

[k0ua]

My tractors are not the newest, that is a feature these days?

Nope. not for the size of tractors most of us have. Under 60 horsepower, (CUT or SCUT) Never seen it on any brand/model. Large tillage tractors will have features like that.

 

[Agvg]

Well, it's a very simple construction, most tractors does have electric engagement of PTO and it's the same principle, so the cost of having a lot more safety and ease of use is quite low.

But maybe it's very little new thinking on those small tractors.