{"id":26579,"date":"2019-06-14T09:33:24","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T23:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/?p=26579"},"modified":"2022-03-29T13:13:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T03:13:57","slug":"2wd-tractor-vs-4wd-tractor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/2wd-tractor-vs-4wd-tractor\/","title":{"rendered":"4WD Tractor vs 2WD Tractor: Which is Better for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tractor is a must-have workhorse for just about anyone in the agricultural industry, but how do you decide whether a 2WD or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/4wd-tractors-80-100hp-1679\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4WD tractor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is right for you? Well, to begin with, you&#8217;ve got to weigh up what you need to use your tractor for. Most farmers use their tractors for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ploughing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harrowing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both 4WD and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/2wd-tractors-0-79hp-464\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD tractors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tractors will help you complete these tasks, each have their strengths and weaknesses. So, to help you make an informed decision, we\u2019ll compare the two by looking at their pros and cons, price point, application and usage differences.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4WD Tractor<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26583\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26583\" style=\"width: 521px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26583 \" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/30388059.o-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"New Holland Tractor\" width=\"521\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084614\/30388059.o-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084614\/30388059.o-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084614\/30388059.o-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084614\/30388059.o-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Pictured: New Holland 4WD T5030 Tractor. Source: Machines4U.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s start by looking at the more popular of the two. As with any four-wheel drive vehicle, a 4WD tractor has dynamic movement of all four wheels, which makes them versatile and perfect for a variety of applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With power to all four wheels, it\u2019s no surprise 4WD tractors have better traction to the ground than the 2WD varieties. So, if you\u2019re looking to use your tractor in more than just basic applications, the 4WD will be your best choice. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 4WD tractor can be used for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tillage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Livestock operations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crop protection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mowing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slashing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Haulage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loader applications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So long as you have the right attachments, your 4WD tractor will see you completing more than just basic farm chores\u2014which is great news for your back pocket as you\u2019ll save on buying multiple machines.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD Tractor<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26585\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26585\" style=\"width: 582px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-26585\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/30291740.o-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"John Deere 5065E 2WD Tractor\" width=\"582\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084624\/30291740.o-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084624\/30291740.o-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084624\/30291740.o-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084624\/30291740.o-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Pictured: John Deere 5065E 2WD 65 Hp Tractor. Source: Machines4U.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD tractors operate by a powered and propelled single axle which can be used to carry a range of attachments. These tractors are generally used in dry farming conditions where the operator doesn\u2019t have to worry about overly wet, muddy or sloped terrain. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key benefit to having a 2WD tractor is the small turning circle, simple design and affordability. Smaller 2WD tractors are the most comparable to the 4WD range but often have a better price point and manoeuverability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD tractors are ideal for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pasture topping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fertiliser spreading<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can be used on livestock, orchard, vineyard or crop farms for jobs where manoeuverability and a sharp turning circle are more important than pulling power.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD vs 4WD Tractor<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26584\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26584\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-26584\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/15428958.o.jpg\" alt=\"Solis 60 Tractor 4WD\" width=\"580\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084618\/15428958.o.jpg 860w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084618\/15428958.o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084618\/15428958.o-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084618\/15428958.o-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084618\/15428958.o-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Pictured: Solis 60 Tractor 4WD. Source: Machines4U.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tractor Power<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the main things to consider when looking at any tractor is the power. As with anything, your needs will determine the horsepower you choose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For basic farm work, either of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/2wd-tractors-0-79hp-464\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD 0-79hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/4wd-tractors-0-79hp-466\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4WD 0-79hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ranges will get the job done. However, according to anecdotal feedback, a 2WD tractor is a better choice if you don\u2019t need the pulling power or traction of a 4WD tractor, and are looking for a cheaper purchase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need your tractor for large-scale projects or work on uneven terrain, 4WD machines in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/4wd-tractors-101-200hp-1681\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">101-200hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/4wd-tractors-200-hp-1683\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">200+hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> range shine. The extra traction ensures that the horsepower is not lost, and the bigger engine provides superior torque.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, 4WD tractors are more popular than the older 2WD models when it comes to matching horsepower. Although, according to anecdotal feedback, when it comes to tractors in the lower size and horsepower range both are comparable, with some people even stating the 2WD is a better purchase with lower repair costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tractor Brands Variety<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26586\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26586\" style=\"width: 584px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26586\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/31433160.o-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"John Deere 4WD Tractor\" width=\"584\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084630\/31433160.o-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084630\/31433160.o-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084630\/31433160.o-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magmedia.machines4u.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/14084630\/31433160.o-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26586\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Pictured: 233hp John Deere Tractor. Source: Machines4U.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most brands manufacture both 2WD and 4WD tractors, in recent years the market demand for 2WD machines has decreased. So, some manufacturers have stopped making them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, popular brands like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/john-deere\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">John Deere<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/case-ih\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Case IH<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/new-holland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Holland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/massey-ferguson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massey Ferguson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> still offer both types.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New and Used Tractor Price<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Machines4U data, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new and used tractors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cost anywhere from $1,100 to $272,727, averaging $53,948*. Obviously, there are a number of factors which determine the cost of a machine, including the make, model, use and attachments. But, how does a 2WD tractor compare to a 4WD tractor, in terms of price?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s look at tractors in the same horsepower range, 0-79hp:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/2wd-tractors-0-79hp-464\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2WD tractor 0-79hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> costs between $1,700 and $22,990*<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/4wd-tractors-0-79hp-466\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4WD tractor 0-79hp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> costs between $11,500 and $70,300*<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, that\u2019s a significant price increase between 2WD and 4WD models! In general, you\u2019ll find that 2WD tractors are cheaper, as they are often older and don\u2019t have the same features as 4WD tractors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although they are cheaper upfront, it\u2019s important to note that servicing for the 2WD models may be higher than a 4WD tractor. Two-wheel drive tractors, especially older models, have shorter service intervals which can increase costs as time goes on. On the other hand, a 4WD model is expensive upfront and can be expensive to service with the newer features and technology found within these machines. Though longer service intervals do save owners money, as it results in less downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and Cons: 2WD vs 4WD <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the day choosing between a 2WD and 4WD tractor will always come down to your needs. But, to help you decide, we\u2019ve weighed up some of the pros and cons of each.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left; width: 94px;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 339px;\"><b>Pros<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 357px;\"><b>Cons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 94px;\"><b>2WD Tractor<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: left; width: 339px;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cheaper upfront cost<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better manoeuverability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good for basic agricultural work<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: left; width: 357px;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less fuel efficient<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More wheelslip<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less brand variety to choose from<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 94px;\"><b>4WD Tractor<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: left; width: 339px;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better traction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More pulling power<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More fuel efficient<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Longer service intervals (usually)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More application versatility<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: left; width: 357px;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expensive upfront cost<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be expensive to repair with more technical components in newer machines<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot to consider when buying a tractor. Whether you end up going with a 2WD or 4WD machine, it\u2019s going to impact your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still trying to decide? Check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new and used tractors here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or try your luck at a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/farm-machinery\/tractors-88\/tractor-auctions-4953\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tractor auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 8pt;\">*Prices are indicative of Machines4U listing data by sellers\/advertisers and are an approximation only. Data is correct up to and at the time of publishing. Prices may change and need to be verified with individual sellers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 8pt;\">Sources: mytractorforum.com, tractors.pk, homesteadingtoday.com, www.quora.com\/advantages-of-a-4wd-tractor, Farmers Weekly<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The tractor is a must-have workhorse for just about anyone in the agricultural industry, but how do you decide whether a 2WD or 4WD tractor is right for you? Well, to begin with, you&#8217;ve got to weigh up what you need to use your tractor for. Most farmers use their tractors for: Ploughing Tiling Disking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":26582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7836],"tags":[1716,492],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-26579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-farming","tag-4wd-tractor","tag-farming"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26579"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28310,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26579\/revisions\/28310"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26579"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=26579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}