Changing to 4 wheel drive

[Jasonized]

Filling rear tires are next on my list…. Moving logs, i‘ve lifted the rear tires a couple of times.. with my BB on the back, too!

of course, in that case I reposition to pick up half the log, then use a chainsaw to drop half the log…. Works every time!

 

[TGKY]

Taking some weight off of the front axle using the loader usually helps me to switch fro 2 to 4w.

This is what I do. Seems to work well for me.
I'm finally growing out of the force it until it does what I want or breaks.... my batting average was getting to low with that method.

 

[fried1765]

When your tires spin without it.

And.......Never on a dry asphalt or concrete surface!

 

[Jasonized]

And.......Never on a dry asphalt or concrete surface!

exactly! Front and back tires don’t have the same turning radius, so will fight slightly on a solid surface, ending up in lots of extra wear. On dirt/gravel, they will slip a bit if needed to ease differential differences.. but on concrete, they can’t…

 

[CGMKCM]

Also use 4wd when traveling down hill with load in the bucket/grapple and maybe even with no load (Wet/snowy conditions). I have had rear tires loose traction and slide the brake was worthless at that point. In 4wd you still have a chance of not sliding all 4 tires and having some control.

 

[NCL4701]

My OM says to wiggle the front wheels back and forth to shift in/out of 4WD. That sort of works but it works better to lift the front end completely off the ground with the loader and wiggle the wheels while off the ground if needed.

For when to use. I’ve gotten a 2WD loader stuck a bunch of times when trying to back up hill from a pile/hole with a loaded bucket. If operating the loader on slopes, 4WD is awesome for giving you power on the axle that’s carrying a bunch of weight. Also effectively gives you brakes on the front wheels as the only brakes are on the back but the transfer case ties the front wheels to the back wheels so when in 4WD braking force on the back wheels transfers through the drive train to give you braking force on the front wheels as well. Again, often very useful on uneven ground.

2WD is good for mowing as it is less likely to tear up the ground when you turn. It’s also imperative for driving on hard surfaces such as pavement.

Mine is in 4WD probably 90% of the time unless I’m mowing or driving on pavement but there if there’s a flat spot on our place I haven’t found it yet so maybe that plays into my affinity for 4WD.