It's very tempting to buy a 2wd tractor. I nearly did myself earlier this year. They're so much cheaper for the same HP. Had a few folks talk me out of it, and I'm glad they did.

Well at age 61 this is gonna be my "forever" tractor, so I am thinking I am gonna have to bite the bullet and get the 4 wd and the transmission that comes along with it. That and a quick hitch for sure.Thanks for everyones input.

I’ve got a Massey 1433v 4x4 and a Ford Super Dexta 48hp. I’m trying to figure out a way to make the ford 4x4. Problem is it’s a 66 model and was my grandfathers so selling it is out of the question

^^what he said^^

Lord, how have I managed the past 40 years with 2wd tractors?
If I'm buying a used tractor and it happens to be a 4wd,thats great. But it's the least of the options I'm looking for, and certainly not the deal breaker.
Mostly it's an added expense, additional maintenance, and more moving pieces to break down.

A 300 hp tractor would look stupid in 2wd pulling a 40' turbo till. Matter of fact it doesn't happen. Buy 4wd and thank us later.

I'm gonna go out a limb and wager the majority of us here ain't talking about 300 hp tractors.

Watch the video and then ask yourself if you are using your tractor to mud ride or are you using it to do work?

If you are mud riding with it and unhappy with your 2wd setup... you might want to check into a basic set of clamp-on duals like in the video.

He got through that mud hole without Cab-N-Air too. Just want to point that out before someone says they won't work without an Air Conditioner either.

It is a Fordson; not a Ford. Calling it a Ford is like calling a Chevy a GMC.

I took my old Fordson Dextra a lot of places people never thought it would go. Knowing how to drive and how to work brakes is important. You can drive one with the front tires off the ground if you can work the brakes. Mud is about the only thing to give the 4x4 an advantage unless you are working the loader. Then it really helps out. I know I wouldn’t buy a new one without it. I have enjoyed it on my new one, for sure.

This...^^^ 4 WD for sure

That's funny.
If you goobers are getting stuck on wet grass y'all need to take up golf.

Get it. 4X4

I'm with OB on this one.

So you don't believe two tractors , same HP , same weight, same rear rubber, only difference is one is 2WD and other is 4WD that the 4WD will pull best? Also explain what difference the trans makes when doing loader work with a 4x4.

In most cases, it won't make any difference because the bulk of the weight and torque is on the rear-end. Any additional traction gained from a live front end is mainly noticeable in added steering control, rather than pulling power. On muddy ground, with a 4wd,you might not have to use the brakes to assist with steering as much as you would with a 2wd. But I can get the same job done every time with a 2wd tractor.
With regard to transmission, if you have a standard manual shift, you're just as likely to burn up a clutch, using a front end loader, with a 4wd or 2wd.
The 4wd does have an advantage when equipped with a shuttle shift or similar transmission.
The obvious downside of the 4wd (aside from added cost and maintenance) is rapid wear of the front tires, especially if you have to put them on the pavement very often.

When you need it its the most important option in the world.

Yeah , like going up a steep hill with a heavy bush hog on back, get a bucket full of dirt and put it in 4X4.

I use my tractor to work.

4x4 is a damn near necessity.

Save the BS for people who don’t know any better.

I must be one of the greatest tractor operators of all time. I'm not a row cropping farmer, just live on a small farm and use my tractor around home and on an 800 acre lease year round, about 200 hrs a year. Been doing it for about 30 years and have only gotten stuck a few times and only once that I couldn't get unstuck by unhooking the implement I was pulling. I've worn one tractor out, it was 25 yrs old when I got it and still use it occasionally, and have 6 years on the second one I bought new. Never had 4 wd but I guess it would be nice if I ever needed it but don't consider it a necessity. That's my story and I'm sticking to it