Yanmar 186d how to widen rear stance

[Haggard]

I’m new to operating tractors with a loader. I’ve ran an old kubota for many years since I was a kid mostly just mowing the field. The only experience I’ve had running a tractor with a loader has been at work doing easy things like grabbing some mulch from a pile and mostly on flat ground. Recently I purchased a Yanmar 186d with a loader to work on a new property that is very hilly and uneven. I almost turned it on its side with an old heavy stump in the bucket the other day. The incline was very minimal I was surprised how easy it wanted to turn over. Guess I had the loader too high as well. It looks like I can slide the back tires out wider on the axel to make it more stable but have not had any success finding answers on how to do that. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[ponytug]

I’m new to operating tractors with a loader. I’ve ran an old kubota for many years since I was a kid mostly just mowing the field. The only experience I’ve had running a tractor with a loader has been at work doing easy things like grabbing some mulch from a pile and mostly on flat ground. Recently I purchased a Yanmar 186d with a loader to work on a new property that is very hilly and uneven. I almost turned it on its side with an old heavy stump in the bucket the other day. The incline was very minimal I was surprised how easy it wanted to turn over. Guess I had the loader too high as well. It looks like I can slide the back tires out wider on the axel to make it more stable but have not had any success finding answers on how to do that. Any help greatly appreciated.

Welcome to TBN. Where are you located?

Yes, rollover is a big deal. Over the years, three neighbors and acquaintances have died due to rollovers. It also resulted in the sales of the family farms.

I keep the bucket within a few inches of the ground when in motion, and try to straight up or down inclines, not across.

When we bought a ranch with steep hillsides, I upgraded to a tractor designed for slopes, a Power-Trac. They make a range of tractors with slope capabilities to 45 degrees. Mine is capable to closer to 25-30 degrees of cross slope.

All the best, Peter

 

[California]

I have a YM186D.

Unbolt the wheels from the hubs and mount the hubs wide side out. The outer edge will be flush with the ends of the axles.Then mount the wheels outboard from those hubs.

In my sloping orchard that wasn't enough. I added wheel weights (unknown origin, 75 lbs each) that rest on the outer shoulders of the wheels, to get them as far outboard as possible.

And as Ponytug said, always keep the bucket as low as possible.

I don't recall a scare but I'm always cautious. The biggest risk here is going across a slope then falling in a gopher or badger hole on the low side.

And I've read, don't widen the front. 1) you will tip over before the axle reaches the stops 2) without power steering it will be a monster to steer, and 3) widening puts unexpected stress on the outer wheel bearings.

I didn't know if mounting the wheels on the outer surface of the hubs would rest on an uneven, un machined surface. So I cleaned them on the belt sander. Turned out that side is flat also.

This photo illustrates how far out the wheels are now. The center of each tread is about at the outer edge of its fender.

 

[Haggard]

Thanks Peter and California for your replies. Peter I’m from Maryland. I’m 27 yr old and this first property iv ever purchased.

On obvious slopes I’ve always tried to take them straight on. Honestly the slope I crossed was so slight I didn’t even think twice about it. Tractor started to tip to the right forward and when the bucket touched the ground it saved me from going all the way over. I lowered the loader while I was in a sort of teeter toter position which sat the back left tire back on the ground.

Worst of all during the initial tipping I found myself trying to bail off the tractor off the same side it was tipping towards out of instinct. Once the tractor settled I thought it over and realized that was very stupid. Really opened my eyes by how easy things can go south. I’ll be sure to walk out my routes I’m traveling first to plan them out. California mentioned gopher holes and my property it littered with them. When I first bought all the land I am working it was completely overgrown and wooded with brush I’ve been clearing for about a year now.

Thanks California for all the instruction and pics they were helpful. I was under the impression those two bolts loaded with springs in the hub were some kind of pin that would make it so the whole hub would slide on the axel into the two exposed holes in the axel you can see on the axel on the outer part of the wheel. Seems that isn’t the case and you have the turn the hub around that was good piece of info. I’ll have to look into some wheel weights too.

I’ll post some pics on this thread in the next few days when I have some free time from work.

Until then, best wishes to everyone

 

[California]

I was under the impression those two bolts loaded with springs in the hub were some kind of pin that would make it so the whole hub would slide on the axel into the two exposed holes in the axel you can see on the axel on the outer part of the wheel.

The bolts with springs are to prevent wobble. There should be another bolt through the axle, for assurance that a loose hub can't slide off.

Check the wobble bolts occasionally. Especially if you hear squeaking.