John Deere 45 Loader: 2wd vs 4wd (Part 2)

Using the John Deere X748 and 45 loader to demonstrate the effectiveness of 2wd vs 4wd when moving material.

[@Greg_Gatsby]

Yesterday I took deliver on a new X354 with the 42” mower deck, replacing a 2007 X300 with the 42” mower deck. I bought the X300 about 5 years ago and it gave me good service, but there was a lot I didn’t know about its history and maintenance. Since that X300 purchase I’ve come too know two things; don’t buy a used lawn tractor (and there are a multitude of reasons), and new mowers are comparably priced to late model and well maintained units. When I unloaded it from my trailer, it still had 0.0 hours on the ticker. Today it has 1.0 hours and my lawn and my neighbor’s lawn are nicely mowed. I am thrilled with the new mower and my decision to buy now. It’s just a mower, but a great ride as well.

[@tudor6508]

With experience, 2wd operators usually figure out that starting to remove material from half way up the pile results in less wheelspin and more material in the bucket. Excellent demonstration mmrbeef!

[@FloridaDeere]

I concur for sure, I had a 445 with a 40 loader and I always made it do what I wanted it to do right? For the most part yes. Now apples to oranges comparison really, I have a 1023E, which of course is not only 4x4 but also 2-speed, high and low, wow, what a difference. Can you make a 2WD work really good, absolutely, I did and we all did before 2002 for tractors this size, but introduce 4x4 and low range and wow, what a difference. I love to see these comparisons.

[@greghostetler238]

I Appreciate the time you spent on this ... I have an x485 that I was debating on getting a loader for but wondered how well it would work on it ... I suspected what you displayed would be the case ... Thanks again for the video

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks for the idea! 2wd is still functional, just a little slower and you have to be a little more aware.

[@paulciampa]

All I noticed is you might need more ballast

[@Kcducttaper1]

I've casually had my eye out for an x585/x595 to replace my x485 for this reason. Only thing is, just the tractor upgrade is ~$2k and the bucket is another ~$4k, so we're talking around $6k just for 4wd and a bucket. At that point, I figure I'd almost be better off saving up to ~$10k and just buying a small used skid steer.

[@johnpyle8027]

These small tractors with loaders on them 2 or 4 wheel drive are good for handling and moving material instead of killing yourself with a shovel and wheelbarrow. If you have significant amounts you're correct, buy a used loader. I have a nice 84 430 Diesel and it saves my back all the time, but I wouldn't want to move a tri-axle of black dirt all over my property.

[@artszabo1015]

If it can be simply answered, why would a hydro front axle be better than a mechanical? Art

[@FloridaDeere]

Following as well since the 1023E has MFWD and not hydro.

[@beunbad]

Can an front axle from a 4wd unit be added to a 2wd?

[@FloridaDeere]

@@beunbad I suppose it could be, but would require more modification than it's probably worth.

[@freedomlawnservice1987]

It’s not! I have a x595 and x748. X748 has hydro front axle. My x595 4wd is much much better. Has what I call REAL 4wd. The all wheel drive is ground sensitive and doesn’t always spin all 4 tires like it should which can put you in a bad spot sometimes. My x595 when in 4wd all 4 tires always spin. The x595 is nice to have being able to switch in out 4wd. There’s lots of thing it’s not necessary to have it in . I’ve had already 10 x series and the manual 4wd is definitely better for heavy work.

[@artszabo1015]

@@freedomlawnservice1987 Thank you, Sir.

[@mikeoreilly6795]

Can you tell me what the compression should be on a Kohler kt 17 series 2. I have about 85 pounds and lots of blow by. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@FishFind3000]

Probably worn out. Needs new rings and honing, maybe even oversized piston+rings