What buy 2wd vs 4wd

[Gary Fowler]

I have a 50 HP 4 WD with FEL and it does OK pulling a bushhog in 2WD as long as I dont try to turn sharp and climb a hill at the same time, then the tires will spin out even if it is dry on grass. I never thought I would need a 4 WD till I got this one and I bought it on recommendation that 4WD was required with a FEL. They are absolutely right. With a FEL,you are almost required to have a 4WD just to get around. I also would never buy a tractor to use with a FEL with a direct drive gear. My shuttleshift is great with the 12forward/4reverse shift on the go transmission. I have never had a HST but I would think that would be similar in performance.

 

[wolc123]

I am a big advocate of 4wd for loader use, however in this case I think the much larger 2wd is a far better option than a mini 4wd. The bigger tractor will easily let you haul two bales at a time. Pick up one with a 3 pt spear, then grab a second one with the loader spear. The little 4wd will not safely handle a single bale by the sound of things. If you were looking to move a lot of dirt it would be another story, but 4wd is seldom much of an advantage on a hayfield. If you were doing a lot of tillage, then again, 2wd is a poor choice because they use about 20% more fuel to do the same work on account of the energy that is lost pushing the "dead" axle thru the soft ground. If all you got to do is a little "light disking" then this is also insignificant. I move a lot of dirt and do a lot of tillage so I could never get by with just a 2wd. I do have a few 2wd's and they are real handy in the hayfields.

 

[Bob1476]

Actually, the Kubota 4wd has a stronger 3pt and the loader is nearly as strong as the larger tractor. Really the only advantage to the NH is that i has more PTO horsepower and is heavier. But it is alot more HP, 50% more.

I think either would do what I need, but the Kubota is a nicer machine. I've heard a few folks really favoring 4wd which makes me think the 4wd machine would have better resale later. I'm leaning strongly toward Kubota and L3240. Although I still haven't decided between the slightly used HST and the new shuttle shift DT machine.

I've never used HST, but some folks seem to think it is better. Again, probably pushes the resale up there another 1k or so.

Bob

 

[john_bud]

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I've never used HST, but some folks seem to think it is better. Again, probably pushes the resale up there another 1k or so.

Bob

Comparing HST to gears is like a hand crank Model T to a hummer.

One of the biggest things is anybody can jump on a kubota hst and in a few minutes be productive. That's good in itself but it's great at resale time.


jb

 

[GaryCrowell]

I think I'd keep looking for something that's a little more ideal for your use, I don't see these as being right. If I had a loader on it I'd only want a 4wd tractor. Put that heavy loader bucket out front and it takes a lot of weight off the rear tires, even empty. My 4wd massey 471 spins the rear tires pretty quick in 2wd when I'm bush hogging, if I take the loader off it'll get a lot better traction in 2wd but I don't drop the loader very often (never). You're pretty much limited to half the function of the loader with a 2wd tractor, it's pretty frustrating trying to pick up something with the back tires spinning. On the other hand, the TT60 is a lot more tractor than the little L3240's. You're basically talking a real ag tractor vs. a homeowner style compact utility. If I had 65 acres I'd want a real ag tractor especially when it comes to moving hay and bush hogging on a regular basis. In a tractor I value simplicity above most else, more bells and whistles aren't usually good, just more junk to break. I wouldn't give you two squirts for HST on a tractor you're going to use around a farm, they're nice on the little tractors for mowing the lawn and moving piles of manure but for real work give me gears. Have you considered buying used? A few hundred hours on an ag tractor is nothing and you can save some decent money if you are in the right place at the right time. I found a couple of low hour 4wd ag tractors in the 45-50 HP range on tractorhouse that would probably be in the same price range as what you're looking at. One doesn't have a loader but if you add it it'll probably be about the price you're looking at. I'd recommend finding something better suited to your needs that what you're looking at.

2005 NEW HOLLAND TN60A 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com


2003 MASSEY-FERGUSON 451 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[Soundguy]

But you forget, Chris is big enough that he just gets off the tractor and picks it up out of any mud and carries it to terra firma. I heard that one time he got so angry that he threw the NH in his picture up onto the top of his barn!

My old days of competitive lifting are long since gone. Heck, I even broke down a few years ago and bought a forklift. No more acting like a human forklift for me. I think that ended about 2 or 3 surgeries ago.

Heck.. it's almost as tall as the barn is!. Seriously though.. I've went through some bad 'tank traps' with that 7610s. It's tires are simply soo tall that even going thru 2' deep goo that I don't high center.. the fronts tend to plow at anything deeper than a foot.. but there are enough 'nads' under the hood, and plenty of traction with diffy lock that the front don't really matter and she walks right thru.. though, in general.. i like to avoid wet spots.

i think If i got her stuck.. I'd be in trouble... she weighs more than my truck.. plus she will have a sizeable mower behind her .

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Actually, the Kubota 4wd has a stronger 3pt and the loader is nearly as strong as the larger tractor. Really the only advantage to the NH is that i has more PTO horsepower and is heavier. But it is alot more HP, 50% more.

I think either would do what I need, but the Kubota is a nicer machine. I've heard a few folks really favoring 4wd which makes me think the 4wd machine would have better resale later. I'm leaning strongly toward Kubota and L3240. Although I still haven't decided between the slightly used HST and the new shuttle shift DT machine.

I've never used HST, but some folks seem to think it is better. Again, probably pushes the resale up there another 1k or so.

Bob

For some of us.. who don't need specific features.. like 4wd or a reversing trans ( things a loader operator would want ).. we get more value out of our tractor by having more hp and or weight. IE.. for the same price my 2wd machine is big enough to pull a 15' mower.. if I had bought 4wd.. it wouldn't have had the hp needed to pull that size mower.. for the same money... Choice was clear.

Resale? Some of us actually keep our tractors! I don't have that 'new car every 2 years ' mentality!

soundguy

 

[greggh]

Here's my 2 cents... If mowing along with hauling and lifting large hay bales around are the main purpose for the tractor. In my opinion the choice would be the NH. If you are going to use the tractor for other purposes such as moving dirt. Then I would get a larger tractor like the NH with MFWD. But regardless of what you purchase... remember to post pictures... we like pictures.

 

[mjarrels]

TarHeel tractor in NC has NH TT60A's on sale for $15,263... Pretty sweet deal!

mark

 

[WilliamBos]

For some of us.. who don't need specific features.. like 4wd or a reversing trans ( things a loader operator would want ).. we get more value out of our tractor by having more hp and or weight. IE.. for the same price my 2wd machine is big enough to pull a 15' mower.. if I had bought 4wd.. it wouldn't have had the hp needed to pull that size mower.. for the same money... Choice was clear.

Resale? Some of us actually keep our tractors! I don't have that 'new car every 2 years ' mentality!

soundguy

I agree Chris. Resale is a line the JD crowd uses to not feel so bad about over paying for green and yellow paint.

I am another who does not have the new every 2 year disease. New Paint fever has put alot of people in the poor house, so unless you put 10,000 hours on every 2 years, why bother worrying about resale.

 

[Dargo]

I agree Chris. Resale is a line the JD crowd uses to not feel so bad about over paying for green and yellow paint.

I am another who does not have the new every 2 year disease. New Paint fever has put alot of people in the poor house, so unless you put 10,000 hours on every 2 years, why bother worrying about resale.

You're a funny guy. At least I hope someone typing what you did is trying to be funny! The only tractor I ever felt bad about buying was a POS tractor I bought on price. I get a real kick out of guys trying their best to make themselves feel better about buying cheap and getting junk.

 

[WilliamBos]

You're a funny guy. At least I hope someone typing what you did is trying to be funny! The only tractor I ever felt bad about buying was a POS tractor I bought on price. I get a real kick out of guys trying their best to make themselves feel better about buying cheap and getting junk.

Yeah I forgot the smiley after the JD comment, but as for resale, that IS THE LAST thing I look for when buying something. Resale is meaningless to me as I will work it (well maintained) until it expires.

 

[Dargo]

...as I will work it (well maintained) until it expires.

Now you sound like my wife talking about me! The only difference is the "well maintained" part and you're missing the "then just get another" part.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. If I get the itch for new paint.. I blow it on myself. Costs me about 200$ to put a good 'working' paint job on one of my larger tractors.. that and a few weekends of sweat equite with sand paper and degrease... after that I hang a new christmass tree air freshner from the steering wheel and close one aye and pretend she's new... and avoid the new loan payment.

soundguy

I agree Chris. Resale is a line the JD crowd uses to not feel so bad about over paying for green and yellow paint.

I am another who does not have the new every 2 year disease. New Paint fever has put alot of people in the poor house, so unless you put 10,000 hours on every 2 years, why bother worrying about resale.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I agree Chris. Resale is a line the JD crowd uses to not feel so bad about over paying for green and yellow paint.

I am another who does not have the new every 2 year disease. New Paint fever has put alot of people in the poor house, so unless you put 10,000 hours on every 2 years, why bother worrying about resale.

99 time in 100, "resale value" is the mantra of those who're more concerned about impressing those around them with how much money they have to throw away. In most of thoses cases, they're actually trying to impress themselves.

I'm always at a loss as to how people can pay more, then get it back upon resale, and see that as "smarter" then paying "less" and getting THAT back upon resale. That's not RESALE VALUE. If they were in fact, getting "more for their dollar", that's a decent reason. But when "less" buys equal in many instances, "less" becomes "more". (or at the very least, "smarter" use of capital)

Example; I have one tractor that stickered for just over $66,000, and 2 that stickered for around $52,000. All three netted virtually the same income over the last year. All operated with virtually equal "reliability". (2 cheaper tractors actually ran on LESS fuel per hr....while commanding same hourly rate!) Looking at trading them on 3 new units. (2000+ hrs per year) "Average resale" on all three is right at 90% of what I paid new with hours/condition considered. 2 "cheaper" models tied up less operating capital, made equal money, and will re-sell for roughly same "value" (as compared to purchase price. All three are what would be considered very modern, very comfortable tractors. Which makes more sense?

With regard to those "10,000 hours every 2 years" tractors, they generally don't hold a strong resale value anyway. Excessive hours scare away "big dollars" when resale time comes.

You pay dearly for IMAGE. If that's really, really important for a persons self esteem, then I guess it's worth all that extra money...................Personally, I don't have self esteem issues, AND, I prefer to KEEP my money rather than make a corporate giant wealthier.

 

[Dargo]

... I prefer to KEEP my money rather than make a corporate giant wealthier.

Hey, be sure to load up on your recommended Dark Horse products!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hey, be sure to load up on your recommended Dark Horse products!

A recent issue with your reading comprehension skills? Never once did I recommend "DARK HORSE"? I've surely asked a number of questions about them, commented on why I wouldn't automatically discount them simply because of point of origin, and took a look at their possibly being a good deal ---IF---- they matched the construction of the tiller they were patterened after (rather than basing my opinion strictly upon the premise of cost...More expensive is ALWAYS more impressive....), but in no way did I EVER "recommend" them. But you knew that didn't you. More of your usual antics........... Question for you.... Are you an Obama speech writer by day?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Never once did I recommend "DARK HORSE"?
Question for you.... Are you an Obama speech writer by day?

Are you saying we may have a "dark horse candidate"???

I see the sides of most everyone's coin. I respect most of you that have posted, but a few of you keep knocking JD just because you need to for your own reasons.

I perceive them as a giant corporation trying to supply a very high quality product to those who can, want or need to buy it. I know they aren't perfect. Show me a corporation who is.

The resale argument goes on and on but you can't ignore it. However, if you do get a lemon, will your dealer/brand back you up. History says JD will. I can't speak for the other brands.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Are you saying we may have a "dark horse candidate"???

I see the sides of most everyone's coin. I respect most of you that have posted, but a few of you keep knocking JD just because you need to for your own reasons.

I perceive them as a giant corporation trying to supply a very high quality product to those who can, want or need to buy it. I know they aren't perfect. Show me a corporation who is.

The resale argument goes on and on but you can't ignore it. However, if you do get a lemon, will your dealer/brand back you up. History says JD will. I can't speak for the other brands.

Not touching ANY reference to "dark" and Obama in the same sentence..........


1st and foremost, I don't "need" to knock JD. For the record, I own THREE JD tractors. They happen to be models that I THOUGHT were worth the extra cost over competitors models. In the case of 2 of the 3, I was wrong. They AREN'T AS GOOD as competing models for a litany of reasons, yet were more expensive. That sort of kills any chance of them being "worth the cost".

I've had extremely good luck with several dealers who handle a variety of brands. Most successful for my personal needs has been a couple different Massey Ferguson dealers I trade with. I've had mixed success with a couple different Deere dealers. In the case of the last combine I owned, a Deere, it had "issues" from day one and Deere refused to step up to the plate and handle the problems. History says Deere WON'T from my perspective. Personal history says I'm justified in my opinion that Deere ISN'T all some claim them to be. They're a good company from a business standpoint. They're an fair to average company from a product point of view.

All things being equal, they're HIGHLY over-rated in most cases.

 

[Dargo]

Question for you.... Are you an Obama speech writer by day?

I'm not really sure it's appropriate for your racial and political comments here when you are upset for being proven wrong on something. I've never seen anyone who is so proud of themselves that they go and get racial and political when they are wrong. I didn't think racial issues nor political issues were allowed here. Further, the best I can tell, several people seem to set you off when they prove you wrong. You ought to lighten up a bit and take a major dose of humility. Perhaps people would take you more seriously.