Chains hitting 3PH arms. Need advice on spacers

[Xfaxman]

Here are some pictures. Looking at the wheels it looks like they are already set to their widest setting correct?
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No, they are where the arrow is in this diagram, if you turn just the rims around, there are two wider settings:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

No, they are where the arrow is in this diagram, if you turn just the rims around, there are two wider settings:

View attachment 490965

X2 IMO.

 

[robertm]

You could move the rear arms inward. There is another drop on that lower shackle. If there is no hole, redrill it.

 

[Soldier415]

No, they are where the arrow is in this diagram, if you turn just the rims around, there are two wider settings:

View attachment 490965

Okay. Now it is starting to make sense. So to get them to the widest setting I would remove both wheels from the inner rim, rotate them 180 degrees and move them to the opposite side of the tractor and re attach to the inner rim?

 

[Xfaxman]

And I think if you can safely support the rear, remove both rims, turn them around, roll the tire and rim to the other side, the tread direction of rotation will be correct.

Edit: Yes, you posted while I was typing.

 

[Xfaxman]

This is Grandad4's at the widest setting, note that the wheel disk is bolted to the inside of the lug on the rim and that lug is closest to the tractor, your's are farthest from the tractor.

 

[Soldier415]

And I think if you can safely support the rear, remove both rims, turn them around, roll the tire and rim to the other side, the tread direction of rotation will be correct.

Edit: Yes, you posted while I was typing.

Father in law has a shop with a lift. So i'd leave the inner rims where they are now and just move the wheel to the other side and bolt with the inner rim on the inside of the lug?

 

[Soldier415]

As far as safely supporting the rear end, i'd think jack stands would work?

 

[Xfaxman]

Father in law has a shop with a lift. So i'd leave the inner rims where they are now and just move the wheel to the other side and bolt with the inner rim on the inside of the lug?

Yes, leave the inner rim. Position the wheel so the lug is closest to the tractor and you can put the inner rim on either side of the lug, depending on how much clearance and overall width you want.

As far as safely supporting the rear end, i'd think jack stands would work?

Yep, if they are big enough.

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks, Xfaxman, for providing the diagram and the photo blowup of my tractor. Yes, swapping the outer rims and tires to the other side should make a difference. Soldier, do you know if the rear tires are ballasted? If they are, each is going to weigh several hundred pounds, and you'll want two or three of your friendly neighborhood gorillas to help you jockey them around. Be careful, though. Getting a ballasted tire lined up with the back end of the tractor resting on jack stands can be tricky work, and if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong!

 

[Soldier415]

Going to get FIL up here over the weekend to help me put it up on stands and make the swap.

Thank you all for your help. This forum has been a gold mine for me as a new first time owner, and has answered all my newb questions.

After this there shouldn't be any more wild sliding rides on slick snow

 

[Soldier415]

Thanks, Xfaxman, for providing the diagram and the photo blowup of my tractor. Yes, swapping the outer rims and tires to the other side should make a difference. Soldier, do you know if the rear tires are ballasted? If they are, each is going to weigh several hundred pounds, and you'll want two or three of your friendly neighborhood gorillas to help you jockey them around. Be careful, though. Getting a ballasted tire lined up with the back end of the tractor resting on jack stands can be tricky work, and if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong!

Yes. Rear tires are loaded. With chains they are about 500lb each. My thought was to use a furniture dolly to move them into position, and use the jack with a stand beneath it as a fail safe to raise/lower the axle so it lines up with the tire

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

This:

 

[Soldier415]

This:

View attachment 490973

He has one of those at the shop. But has it in his head he wants to do it up here so I don't have to trailer it over

 

[Soldier415]

This:

View attachment 490973

What kind of strap is that?

 

[motownbrowne]

A couple of things. In my experience, it's easier to remove the whole rim assembly right from the hub, rather than leaving the inner rim in place. Mine fit kind of tightly against the outer piece, so having the whole thing off the tractor made hitting the inner rim with a big hammer easier. Even though you will be reinstalling it in the same location, I find this easier. Also take this opportunity to get some grease on those threads and mating surfaces and check the torque on your lugs.

Secondly, for realigning those holes for reassembly, I found a "grease-board" made my life much easier. It's a piece of plywood under the tire that's slathered in axle grease. That and a pry bar makes those final scooting adjustments much easier than rubber on concrete.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Any ratchet strap would work. Just need to be tight enough to not slip off.

 

[Soldier415]

Any ratchet strap would work. Just need to be tight enough to not slip off.

Ratchet it down with a chain underneath at the top to loop up and hook onto the lift?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yes, or something similar. I think I ran the strap through a big clevis. Other people use a grease board but if you have a concrete pad the lift worked very smoothly for me but the fenders can potentially get in the way.

 

[Soldier415]

Yes, or something similar. I think I ran the strap through a big clevis. Other people use a grease board but if you have a concrete pad the lift worked very smoothly for me but the fenders can potentially get in the way.

We would be working on the concrete floor of his shop