Combines 4wd vs duals question

No, not unless you have a narrow spacer band dual and then it is close. RWA will go better than duals in mud in most conditions. lot of weight on rear ax. Steering on hilsides is much better with RWA. RWA will be over ten grand. RWA takes the load off the hydro and reduces pressure needed to pull the machine. RWA gives the operator a 2 speed on the go shift. Harvest in RWA mode, travel to the truck or across ends in 2WD and it speeds up about 25-30% when the RWA is clicked off.

Not to be disagreeable, but I've been running 18.4-42 duals on my 62 since '96, I don't have RWA. I am running a 6180, 12 row planter, and if I don't pay attention with the guess rows I can lose some corn, but the benefits of the duals more than outweigh the corn lost. As far as RWA is concerned, I have run 3 different combines with RWA, and I am not sure of the benefits of RWA. My experience has been if you are running in the mud, without it you can nearly always back out and get it from the other direction. With RWA, if you don't make it across the RWA will push you so far out, it can't back out on it's own,it takes a tractor to get it out. Just my own observations, for what it's worth.

I've never had duals, but have run two gleaners w_rwa m2 and r62 and am a firm believer in it. I have never gotten stuck in a rwa combine. ihave seen conditions where i could not go, but always repeat always got out. rice tires are not worth the money unless you have a firm bottom to dig to. i have a set of flotation tires off my m2 that made all the difference in getting done in 2000. in that year, m2 with rwa and flotation tires did not cut deep ruts in beans when the identical m2 with only rice cut deep ruts and then had to back out. duals are often better than singles but my money goes to the rwa every time. my two cents worth James 67-34-30 tires and rims for sale call 217 825 3982 tires are 90% tread rims for M,l series combines locaated in central Il

Not to be disagreeable but last year we put RWA on our M2 because the soil here is sandy with a clay bottom and we were cutting 30" ruts 6-8 inches deep the whole length of the field. Where the combine would float with RWA the tractor or anything else sank out of sight. I'm hopeing this year isn't as bad as last year, I haven't even been in the field yet from all the rain. Happy Harvest, Part-time

Hey Part-time, no offense taken here, I was only discribing my experience, your results may vary!lOl! I can tell you in '01 I had one field of corn that was so wet I had to have the cart on the far end so the combine was as light as it could be. Now I'm not bragging here, but I had ruts that were 8-10" deep,3-400 feet in length, I never had to be pulled out once, this was in clay. Sorry to here you haven't started yet, where are you locatedIJ Thankfully, I finished last Tues.

Tbran, I always make a complete stop before engaging or disengaging rear wheel assist. Is it okay to engage or disengage on the go. thanks randy

Duals biggest advantage would be in hilly sloped ground (more stability) RWA big advantage is back wheels that do not drag, also you have steering response that could never be matched by a 2WD with duals. I started with a 2WD M2 and added RWA and was the best money I ever spent. I havent touched the right of left brake pedals for 6 years now. RWA also helps propel the machine 3 drive motors instead of one,(read a Case IH book nad they reccommend using all the time when in the field). I run thru standing water if I need to, have never been stuck or ever worried, I would never have tried it with duals. Our machine loaded with header weighs around 22,500 lbs. Not as heavy as the bigger R machines. Hope my opinion helps...............

Where are you at in central Il with those conditionsIJ

south of decatur,little town of shelbyville. Shelby county has dark soil in the north and older, much poorer clay soils in southern part of county. from basically I 70 south, 75% or more of combines have rwa versus 10 % or so north of rt 36. different soils = different conditions my .02 worth