BORA vs Kubota wheel spacers

[JME81]

Rear spacers for LX2610 from the dealer are $465, from Bora (steel) it's $195. What's the difference? Width is the same, will I have any warranty issues from Kubota if I used Bora?

 

[tacticalturnip]

Rear spacers for LX2610 from the dealer are $465, from Bora (steel) it's $195. What's the difference? Width is the same, will I have any warranty issues from Kubota if I used Bora?

Nope, and any dealer that would try to claim otherwise is being disingenuous, and trying to sell you on the more expensive Kubota spacers.

There should be no practical difference between the Kubota and Bora spacers, and Bora has been quite well regarded in the subcompact/compact tractor community.

 

[JWR]

I agree. Bought Bora myself. 100% good. But I got 6" each side spacers and they were a lot more than $195.

 

[JME81]

6" spacers? Wow! I have a couple of questions:

1. Is 2" sufficient for basic tractor work? I'm not working on slops, just in fields and trails with some ruts.
2. They don't state the differences in aluminum and the steel. Assuming the steel is stronger?
3. Do I need front spacers as well?

Edit: I have turf tires

 

[JWR]

6" spacers? Wow! I have a couple of questions:

1. Is 2" sufficient for basic tractor work? I'm not working on slops, just in fields and trails with some ruts.
2. They don't state the differences in aluminum and the steel. Assuming the steel is stronger?
3. Do I need front spacers as well?

Edit: I have turf tires

Well, your working circumstances and slopes are what you need to deal with. I bought mine because my B2150 Kubota was not safe going sideways across a 45% slope and I either got the rear wheels out wider or did not use it on those slopes.

It is not that I need to run sideways on real steep slopes but I DO NEED to be comfortable and feel I have a good margin for error. Among all mfrs Kubota is the worst about lacking rear wheel spacing and the smaller ones have no adjustment options. Just look at all their models on dealer lots.

My B2150 that I added spacers on has turf tires too. That in itself is not great for steep slope work but I am selective where and when I use that tractor. I also use it for midmount grass mowing (and had to modify the mower to clear the wider tire configuration.)

Every inch of greater rear wheel spacing adds stability on slopes. How much you need to add (if any) is a judgment call.

There should not be any "warrantee" issues. Many Kubota dealers sell rear wheel spacers and friends of mine have an L3400 with dealer installed 6" steel spacers specifically because they were uncomfortable on steep ground with it until they added the spacers. Same friends have an M6040 Kubota with 6" spacers that are solid aluminum so they have a set of each type. None of us have had any spacer problems. I installed my own and they had theirs done by the dealer.

Strength is really not an issue. My friends steel spacers are made of 2 round plates with tubing in between. My aluminum spacers are solid billets of machine aluminum. Neither one has any strength concerns. The main competitive experienced companies in this business know what they are doing.

Hell no (sorry) you do not need front spacers ! Unless you have some peculiar crop clearance issue or some such. Your front axle is pivoted in the middle and is not going to prevent tip-over in practical circumstances no matter how wide it is.

 

[JME81]

I'm leaning towards 2.5". It's difficult to determine how much I need. I appreciate your prior post.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'm leaning towards 2.5". It's difficult to determine how much I need. I appreciate your prior post.

I don't think 2.5" is going to give you a lot of increased confidence. I bought 2" ones from Bora. They look like pieces of jewelry - really nice and perfect fit. But I've wised many times I gone ahead and bought 4" ones even though I don't use the tractor on my 30* dam banks. The 4" instill much more confidence.

 

[Rdrcr]

Bora makes great spacers! I wouldn’t even consider the Kubota option. One thing to consider when going with the steel Bora spacers is that you’ll need to prep and paint before installation.

Mike

 

[ctgoldwing]

I went with 3" Bro-Tek spacers. I work on hilly terrain also and wanted a little more insurance as my pucker factor meter is very sensitive.

The Bro-Teks are like a piece of art

 

[JWR]

I don't think 2.5" is going to give you a lot of increased confidence. I bought 2" ones from Bora. They look like pieces of jewelry - really nice and perfect fit. But I've wised many times I gone ahead and bought 4" ones even though I don't use the tractor on my 30* dam banks. The 4" instill much more confidence.

What do you mean by 30* ? If you mean 30 degrees that is about a 58% slope which is very steep for a tractor. Even with max wide spacers that is too steep for horizontal travel. With good ag tread tires and 4WD you better have prefect soil penetration or you are going to the bottom of that trying to go up or down it. Involuntarily.

 

[Gem99ultra]

What do you mean by 30* ? If you mean 30 degrees that is about a 58% slope which is very steep for a tractor. Even with max wide spacers that is too steep for horizontal travel. With good ag tread tires and 4WD you better have prefect soil penetration or you are going to the bottom of that trying to go up or down it. Involuntarily.

Actually, my statement of 30* was an exaggeration. Actual angle checked out to be 22* - 25*. Not slope... actual angle. Sorry, I tend to overstate based on my seat-of-the-pants measurement.

I did frequently mow the dam banks with my 27hp Husqvarna tractor style 52" mower. That is until I finally blew up the differential pilot gear. Even before, I'd mostly mow the steepest portion at an angle. For areas with less steep angles I'd mower up and down, but always forward. My 26hp Kubota 48" ZTR will not pull up the banks. Tires on both mowers were those factory installed crappy turf tires. Better tires probably would have permitted me to flip either mower over quicker

Regardless, I do not have the tenacity to attempt it either way, angle or up & down, with my Kubota L3400 tractor. Better judgement prevails. I doubt that 4" wheel spacers would be any better than my 2" spacers. Weed trimmer prevails.

 

[JME81]

I'm having a lot of back and forth. I'm unsure why the Kubuta ones are so narrow?

I am leaning towards the 3" spacers. It's more of the ruts with a loader full low to the ground that makes me nervous.

 

[JWR]

Yes, 22 to 25 degrees is quite comfy for my regular rounds. I am mowing both across and up/down 45% slopes a lot (which is right in the same range as 22 to 25 degrees.) As I mentioned in post #5 my friends use an L3400 a lot on 45% or around that range slopes (using 6" rear wheel spacers) and they are quite comfortable with it. I don't think you should be hesitant to mow the 22 to 25 degree bank if you use 4" or greater spacers. In my opinion the 2" is not enough. In your case a concern I would have is the water below you, whether the ground gets soft near the water, etc. plus if you roll even with a good ROPS and seat belt you'd rather not roll into the water ! A person just has to cut and try to confirm your comfort zone.

Another factor is the texture/surface -- whether you have potential low spots or holes. That can overwhelm other factors. If it is smooth, great. If it is rough and may have ground hog holes in it Lookout ! PA at their annual "AG Progress days" just south of Penn State Univ. used to have (maybe still do?) a demo where they ran a small to medium sized Ford tractor around a slope that looked very mundane -- maybe 40% -- under remote control with a dummy strapped in the seat and a ROPS on the tractor. Then they would purposely hit a hole on the downhill side and roll the tractor down the hill for one or two flops. Fascinating demo.

 

[JME81]

Well, I think that I've decided on 3" and Bro-Tek. Talk me out of it if it's a bad idea.

 

[JWR]

Well, I think that I've decided on 3" and Bro-Tek. Talk me out of it if it's a bad idea.

No question you will feel way more comfortable on any slope with the 3" spacers having been added. Whether that's enough for most or all of your activity -- I dunno... one thing is certain it won't hurt anything. The kind of thing where one wishes you had a way to try it without any purchase or installation effort and expense.

 

[Hopestill Farm]

"Talk me out of it if it's a bad idea." It's a very good idea!

I just installed Bro-tek 3" spacers on my LX2610. They do make a huge difference. I don't think I'd like the 2" ones, based on the feel of these.

 

[JME81]

I went with the Bro-Tek 2" spacers. I won't be installing until Spring. I'll post some photos at that time.

 

[5030]

Kubota has never offered wheel spacers as OEM equipment.

 

[JWR]

Kubota has never offered wheel spacers as OEM equipment.

Kubota dealers in WV offer them for sale and install them. Did so on two tractors used by the renters of my farm. One an M6040 and the other an L3400. Kubota has never offered adequate spacing for the rear wheels on most of their tractors either. If you have steep ground to work on.

 

[ZTMAN]

Kubota has never offered wheel spacers as OEM equipment.

If you go on build and price they list a spacer kit under the accessories tab.

REAR WHEEL SPACER KIT (L8787)

That part number is only a one inch spacer, primarily for clearance of tire chains.