Bro-Tek wheel spacers, a work of art!

[Gale Hawkins]

That's interesting... I haven't seen any negative sentiment what-so-ever, in this thread.

I agree with that.:thumbsup:

 

[megaboz]

So... 1.5" spacers are ok by the manufacturer and 2" spacers are still ok but put a little bit more stress on the axles.

I have been looking through all the old threads and haven't seen anyone break anything from them.

I have seen some pictures and haven't been able to determine if the front tire will still be in track with the rear after the spacer is added.

Real simple to figure out, straighten the front wheels. Stick a straight edge on the outside of the front tire that will run back to your back tire.
Measure from the back of the rear wheel to the straight edge,
subtract 2 inches,
then measure from the straight edge towards the back of the wheel (with your previous measurement minus the 2 inches), and that is where the inside of the back tires is going to run.

The out side track of the rear tire real simple, measure out 2 inches from the out of the rear wheel.

An even simpler method would be to use a carpenters square, hook across the back of the rear tire, find the 2 inch mark from the back to the outside edge.

The only issue I have read that had anything to do with spacers is where someone mounted wheels so that he had duals in the back. I believe he broke an axle.

You are probably going to cause a little more stress on the bearings and they might wear sooner, but it might be worth the risk.

 

[Tractor Factor]

Hey guys, why is the issue of tire tracking important?

 

[Tractor Factor]

You're right, those are a nice hunk of steel. Have fun testing them out!

Looks to be machined out of a block of aluminum. Maybe that's important to help keep the weight low? I tend to think of aluminum as a weaker metal than steel, but maybe it's just softer, not weaker.

 

[American Pit Bull]

Hey guys, why is the issue of tire tracking important?

Instead of two tracks, you now have four... From an ascetic standpoint, the lawn will incur more damage.

 

[JsBX]

Hey guys, why is the issue of tire tracking important?

I was just curious about it. That is why I asked it.

I don't have my BX yet (Brady must be a little busy), so I am not able to measure anything yet to see.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Instead of two tracks, you now have four... From an ascetic standpoint, the lawn will incur more damage.

Will or May?

Some grass may prefer to be ran over once vs. twice.

 

[Minotbob]

I just ordered a pair from Richard at Bro-Tek. I e-mailed him that I wanted to buy a set. I had a reply about 13 minutes later and completed the purchase in a few more minutes. A few hours later I had confirmation that it had been scheduled to ship.

I have purchased Thumb, Skid plates, tool box, steering guard and Ripper tooth from Richard and all have been top quality and fair dinkum price.

 

[Tractor Factor]

I have purchased Thumb, Skid plates, tool box, steering guard and Ripper tooth...

Bob, did you also buy the trenching plow attachment for the ripper tooth? I think that's a more recent addition to his line. I've been tempted to get that ripper tooth, but I manage to get by digging stumps with the bucket. That trenching tool could make the ripper doubly useful, though, if it works well. Looks to me like it's custom made for digging lines for buried electric fast and with minimum damage to yard. Maybe drain lines too?

 

[Minotbob]

Bob, did you also buy the trenching plow attachment for the ripper tooth? I think that's a more recent addition to his line. I've been tempted to get that ripper tooth, but I manage to get by digging stumps with the bucket. That trenching tool could make the ripper doubly useful, though, if it works well. Looks to me like it's custom made for digging lines for buried electric fast and with minimum damage to yard. Maybe drain lines too?

I did not buy the trenching plow. I didn't think I had a need for it and so far I haven't.

 

[OrangeRidge]

Old thread , I know ..........

With my 54" MMM , the 2" pair were out . Not going to get the
right-rear MMM castor bracket relocated .
The JD set (1" for mower ) were 400 bucks !
Christian at The Tracks Company made me a 2" for the left , and
a 1.5" for the right . 199 Bucks . Superb welding job that appears
more substantial than the factory axle to wheels-mount plate weld.
75hrs mowing on slopes and happy with the stability and reduced
MMM flap. The freight out to here was $34 , whilst Brotek wanted
$140 for the aluminium disc freight ! What the ......

Richard did offer to make a 1.5" custom set ,but the cost was
all too much to-my-door.

 

[locknut]

Rainout yesterday so I installed the Bro-Tek 2" wheel spacers on the BX25. If I win the lottery someday I will buy a pair just to use for paperweights because they are just plain beautiful to look at. What precision machining, what a gorgeous hunk of metal! Also started installing the Bro-Tek skid plates, and I'm going back out now to finish putting them on. Hope to get out later today and see how the wider stance feels...it definitely looks cool. I didn't think that an extra two inches a side would really look much different, but it does.

Been thinking about those skid plates for a year now, but imajeepnut's recent thread on replacing the HST fan got me really motivated! BTW, the first pic's not mine, I forgot to get the camera out before I put the wheel back on.

View attachment 163473View attachment 163474View attachment 163475

My eyesight is not perfect anymore but,in the picture on the right(I blowed it up to 400%) where the wheel is mounted it looks like the hub centric protrusion on the adapter is way too small.When designed properly,it should match the center hole of the wheel so the load won't be carried soley by the stud bolts.Anyone else notice this?

Was the inside of the adapter machined to fit properly to mate with the factory hub centric?

The reason I drug this thread up,Im installing spacers on my GR2000 to improve stability.

 

[OrangeRidge]

I don't think it matters , because the original wheel to tractor
arrangement uses bolts only to attach together. Are not all 5
bolts holding the wheel to plate anyhow , as expected ?
Where are you sourcing your spacers , and how much ?

 

[slowzuki]

Depends if it is a hub centric or stud centric designed wheel. Are there conical nuts/bolts?

My eyesight is not perfect anymore but,in the picture on the right(I blowed it up to 400%) where the wheel is mounted it looks like the hub centric protrusion on the adapter is way too small.When designed properly,it should match the center hole of the wheel so the load won't be carried soley by the stud bolts.Anyone else notice this?

Was the inside of the adapter machined to fit properly to mate with the factory hub centric?

The reason I drug this thread up,Im installing spacers on my GR2000 to improve stability.

 

[locknut]

I don't think it matters , because the original wheel to tractor
arrangement uses bolts only to attach together. Are not all 5
bolts holding the wheel to plate anyhow , as expected ?
Where are you sourcing your spacers , and how much ?

After I posted I continued reading other search threads and found a pic of a rear hub on a BX which has no hub centrics as you stated.On my tractor it does,so I'm having a machine shop make adapters for both sides.I ordered from this place which is not far from here.



1pr EZ GO & YAMAHA 1.5in 4/4 WHEEL SPACERS WSP6 #40 : Golf Cart : Wheel Spacers

Should have the machine work done in a few hours so I'll post back with some pics.

 

[locknut]

Depends if it is a hub centric or stud centric designed wheel. Are there conical nuts/bolts?

No,the wheels are just flat steel with a 2-1/2" hole center and four oversized holes for the studs,which make for a sloppy mount without the proper 2-1/2" hub centric for the wheel to mount on and center up properly.

Don't know what all this machine work is going to cost but I don't like to do things halfast.

 

[OrangeRidge]

1pr EZ GO & YAMAHA 1.5in 4/4 WHEEL SPACERS WSP6 #40 : Golf Cart : Wheel Spacers

That's a VERY good price ; well spotted :thumbsup:

Are your wheels/tires this size ? ; http://kubota.com.au/products/gr_series_kta/pdf/gr2120_spec.pdf

 

[locknut]

The same as in your link-23/10.50/12 rears,yes.Price of the spacers ended up being the smallest portion of this project.Machine work came to $150 for all four of the hub centric adapters

Here's what I started with,factory hub w/2-1/2" hub centric protruding out 3/16";

Adapter ring made for the inside;

A sleeve/flange type adapter on the outside for the wheel to mount on.This one was pressed in for a tight fit.

Assembly tightened down to factory hub;

Wheel mounted to new hub centric spacer;

BTW,see those carriage bolts protruding? I used a high strength silicone adhesive on the heads and let sit overnite.Big headache with mounting if not glued in.

 

[locknut]

Project completed with four 10lb weights on each wheel.

Two inch wider wheel track,plus the weights made a huge improvement in handling.Very tipsy before,due to the addition of the 285lb steel cab,with mostly all the weight above the rear tires.

I may keep the spacers on for mowing,but the rear deck wheels will have to be moved outward to work.

A project for another day

 

[OrangeRidge]

I've just sent this link to my neighbour . He has a GR2100 and may well
be interested in doing this . Thanks for posting !