tire traction?

[trook]

Which set-up will give me better overall traction with any given tractor:
1. 2 wheel drive with Ag tires, or
2. 4 wheel drive with R4 tires

If you must know a tractor model, use the 990 for comparison purposes.

 

[kennyd]

My guess would be the 4WD model hands down.

 

[Builder]

Which set-up will give me better overall traction with any given tractor:
1. 2 wheel drive with Ag tires, or
2. 4 wheel drive with R4 tires

If you must know a tractor model, use the 990 for comparison purposes.

4x4 with R-4's hands down. Tractors have a lot of weight over their front axles that helps the front axle dig in and pull you through the slop. Look at how superior front wheel drive cars are than RWD. I've seen 4x2 tractors get into slop so bad the front tires actually start to "plow" into the slop, rather than roll through it like a wheel should. Now imagine that same tire being under power, pulling you through that same mess.


I'd even take a 4x4 tractor with turfs over a 4x2 with R-1's.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

I have used both setups on different sized tractors. The 4x4 with R4s is the winner without question.

 

[trook]

thanks guys!!

 

[wolc123]

In most agricultural tillage-type applications they will be about equal and in some, like pulling a 3pt mounted moldboard plow, the 2wd with R1's will actually be a lot better than the 4wd with R4's. Obviously this implement transfers most of the weight to the rear of the tractor minimizing the effect of front axle traction.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Hmmmmmmmmm, I'm not so sure on everyones opinion. I think we need some real World testing.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[LBrown59]

A 4 wheel drive will always have more traction then a 2 wheel drive/that's why it's 4 wheel drive.
I'm replacing a 2 wheel drive Cub Cadet with ag rear tries with a 4 wheel drive tractor with turf tires.
I have no doubts about which tractor will have the most traction./

 

[wolc123]

Many people on this forum have been disapointed in the traction provided by R4 tires. They are ok on dry firm ground but severely limited in loose ground, mud or snow. In these conditions an equal weight 2wd with R1's will almost always perform equal to or better than a 4wd with R4's when performing drawbar work. In many cases the 4wd is able to offset the traction deficiencies of R4 tires, but if you really need traction to get your job done then a 4wd with R1's is what you will want. If you try to use the same machine for cutting your lawn and doing feild work you will be making some sacrifices in either lawn damage or traction, that is the cost of compromise that is associated with the R4 tire. Anyone who thinks R4 tires can match the off-road traction of R1's is very badly misguided.

 

[Builder]

Many people on this forum have been disapointed in the traction provided by R4 tires. They are ok on dry firm ground but severely limited in loose ground, mud or snow. In these conditions an equal weight 2wd with R1's will almost always perform equal to or better than a 4wd with R4's when performing drawbar work. In many cases the 4wd is able to offset the traction deficiencies of R4 tires, but if you really need traction to get your job done then a 4wd with R1's is what you will want. If you try to use the same machine for cutting your lawn and doing feild work you will be making some sacrifices in either lawn damage or traction, that is the cost of compromise that is associated with the R4 tire. Anyone who thinks R4 tires can match the off-road traction of R1's is very badly misguided.

I don't think anybody here is saying that. I think what they're saying is that R-4's on a 4x4 can out-traction R-1's on a 4x2 in a lot more situations.

I do think a 4x2 w/ R-1's could do as well or maybe better than a 4x4 with R-4's pulling a bottom plow on loose ground because the plow puts a lot of traction on the rear axle and helps to lessen the effectiveness of the front axle on a 4x4.

My R-4 equipped 4x4's are by no means severly limited in mud. I work in mud constantly and having 4x4 makes all the difference in the world. Plowing snow seems to be a piece of cake, too. Otherwise the 4x4 backhoe with R-4's and a snowpusher box wouldn't be the equipment of choice for big time snow removal.

You can always fill the tires on the R-4's or add wheel weights if you want more traction.

Looking at the advantages of R-4's, you get better tire wear, less damage on grass, pavement, concrete, etc.

Unless pulling a bottom plow is all you do, I'd still take the 4x4 over the 4x2.