use four wheel drive-yes or no ????

For me, it depends. 

If the ground is soft or muddy I'll use the four wheel assist..  For mowing I never need it, but going up and down to the creek, thru the woods, or mowing a fire lane in the cut over, I need to use it or I'll be spinning sitting still.  Definitely use it when I'm pulling logs out of the woods for fire wood.  Some of them are 2-3 feet across.   I use it more often than normal I suppose based on what I use it for.  Of the 500+ hrs, 1/2 of it is in 4W.  Clay is slick..

From other owners experience, using the 4W on hard surfaces or too much with front end loader work, they have had problems ie replace parts…

Aubrey

On my tractors I only use it when needed that away if I run across a hard road it is in 2 wheel .and I was always told if you get stuck in 2 wheel you can go to 4 wheel and diff lock. if you are in 4 wheel you are stuck get another tractor.

These tractors are designed to only use 4WD when the wheels can slip if they have to. Keep in mind also that the 254/284 use the same small front axle assembly as the 200 series, that's why they are prone to failure when used in 4WD in conjunction with the loader.

I never take mine out of 4wd. I'm never on hard road and it's hilly where I live. I've done considerable amount of gravel spreading this way and I know it's very risky but I end up needing 4wd either way. I did install braces from the loader mounts to the rear to help stop any pushing and stress on the bell housing. I think that has helped prevent that dreaded bell housing crack! But I'm knocking on wood and keeping my fingers crossed! BTW mine is a 2006 JM 284. I worry about tipping as much as anything. I need to put the tires in a wide stance, just have very limited tractor time.  BG

I rarely take mine off 4wd and I have over 500 hours on mine. The only issue I had was to replace a bearing on one of the front wheels.

bg, when I first got my tractor, it wasn't at a wide stance and on a few occasions, I came close to tipping the tractor. So let me tell you, I quickly changed the tires to a wide stance and this has made all the difference in the world. Now I use my tractor not worrying about tipping it over.

I only use the 4wd rarely if I need it on a hill or something.  Routine work is all done i 2wd and I use the diff lock if I need to counteract rear wheel slipping.  I have a 304 Jinma which has a heavier front end than the 200 series but I still wouldn't do any loader work in 4wd for fear of shearing a front axle.  I do have loader braces to the rear axle assembly, but that doesn't protect the front axles.