DIY wheel spacers

[Raspy]

What I would try first is loosen the hub clamps and slide the wheel out 2 inches. They look long enough and strong enough to work that way.

That looks like a bad idea to me. The hub clamps are out at the end of the axle against what looks like snap rings. 2" more would be an unfair load and might come off or break. Look at the hub picture in post 13.

Looks like he'll have to swap sides or make spacers.

 

[Xfaxman]

That looks like a bad idea to me. The hub clamps are out at the end of the axle against what looks like snap rings. 2" more would be an unfair load and might come off or break. Look at the hub picture in post 13.

Looks like he'll have to swap sides or make spacers.

This is the picture of the hub that looks like it would be long enough to remove the snap ring and slide it out a little. Hard to tell from this angle, would need to measure the length of the hub.

 

[BHD]

as all ready said swap the tires and wheels the rib would be on the inside of the rim instead of the out side

if to far out move the hubs in, to get the desired width,

 

[GLyford]

No one has commented on whether I can get away without swapping left and right wheels and vice versa. I know that is preferred but the task is pretty daunting - the tractor weighs closer to 3 tons than 2 and each wheel and tire would be well over 100 Kg

Take a look at this thread, I think you'd be OK:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/tires/343001-ag-tires-backward.html

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks Glyford - that is a most interesting and useful thread. The comments suggest only positive outcomes and this has convinced me to just reverse the wheels without changing sides - it will give me an extra 6" of clearance between the tires and the tractor body with a lot less work.

As stated earlier, this beast only works on the property and does not go onto sealed roads. With the tires the way they are at present, going forward is not too bad, but reversing, especially up any kind of slope is a nightmare. It got bogged last week in reasonably dry conditions because it just would not back out of soft earth without the wheels spinning

 

[BHD]

I had a relative who ran his tires backwards on his combine, and his thought was he would spin out forward before he got "stuck" and with the tires in the backwards position he was reasonable assured of backing the machine out, and it worked for him and he did that for 30 years,

and if you doing chains you will most likely pick back up a lot of the traction you lost by the reversal of the tread, (the direction of the tread is so it will self clean and keep biting when in reverse the tread fills with dirt or mud.

 

[BHD]

I have switched rims by my self, not easy, but do able,on my 4020 John Deere 1970, about the same size tractor, yes I suggest help, and a good jack, as instead of raising the tire I use the jack and adjust the tractor to the height I need, the biggest problem is walking the tire out from under the center hub.

Sunday, I helped the neighbor turn the tires around on a tractor he was using (clearance issues), on picking up beans and the tire was running over the beans, we had to do both the front and the back on the 4wd versatile tractor bidirectional, the back tires were liquid filled heavy.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks BHD - all very encouraging.

The tractor has been lifted on a jack (also with supports under the frame) so the wheel just clears the ground. If necessary, I can dig a hollow under the wheel rather than try to raise it any further

You can see in the picture the lifting frame and lever chain hoist attached to the wheel. I used this arrangement once before and it worked fine. Fortunately, I'll have some help this weekend to turn the wheel once it is clear of the hub. The hoist will then lift the wheel to the right height to re-seat it.

Wish me luck!

 

[BHD]

Good luck and safety.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Re: DIY wheel spacers - success (sort of)

One wheel has been reversed. Not a particularly easy job but the result is excellent with a space of over 9" between the frame and the tire. When I add more cross-chains, that should fix the traction issue on that wheel

The other side is a different story! The jig that worked perfectly on the first wheel struggled to lift the rim clear of the hub and I now know the reason - this one has been filled with water. Finally got it off and it is lying on the ground.

My next challenge is to work out how to turn the massive weight of this sucker so the valve is downhill and the water can be drained. Then the wheel will have to be moved to the compressor or vice versa. Then I'll have to get it upright, spun around and re mounted on the hub - unless I can borrow a second tractor to work with my jib that ain't gonna be easy.

 

[Leejohn]

Man you are going to like that.

 

[BHD]

there is what is called a tube deflator that one may be able to use, you screw it on the valve stem and hook up a air hose to it, and it creates a suction and will pull the air out of the tube, I would think it would work with water, as well,

Xtra Seal Tube Deflator Tool 17-608: Advance Auto Parts

I at one time set up to pump liquids out of tires some what like this unit, Diaphragm Liquid Ballast Pump | GEMPLER'S I did not spend that much on it.

Is it just water in the tire, here in the northern part of the US they us other products to add more weight and keep it from freezing, and can be corrosive, Calcium Chloride, 50-lb. Bag | GEMPLER'S

If one can get up right and the valve stem down, one can add some air and let the air push the liquid out, and can reduce it down to about the depth of the rim, depth,

 

[Aussiebushman]

I managed to lift the tire with a farm jack high enough off the ground on one side to get a strap under it, so if a neighbour will loan me his tractor for a few hours. I can fit my jib to his 3 pt linkage and lift the wheel into a vertical position.

It also occurs to me that once the wheel is upright, the strap can be re-positioned around it and the whole thing lifted, turned and moved back into alignment with the hub without draining the tire. That would save a sh*tload of work. My jib is very strong and the tractor I have in mind is nearly as big and as heavy as mine. Worth a try,

 

[Tejas]

Sounds like a fun project! Good luck brother.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Re: DIY wheel spacers - Why I don't get bored living in the bush

All fixed - what a swine of a job (no adverse comment on pigs)

As noted earlier, the second wheel turned out to be full of water and I was kidding myself expecting 300 Kg - it was double that and actually BENT the jib just lifting the wheel (not the tractor). Fortunately a neighbour had another heavier jib so with many changes of sling positions, much backing and sheer grunt, three of us finally managed to lift, swing and relocate the wheel onto the hub. One of the biggest hassles was getting the locking tab on the wheel lined up with the matching slot on the hub.

The chains are now on - both lateral and around the circumference - I might add more if needed

Incidentally, this job followed on from replacing much of the exhaust, changing the fuel line and bleeding the system, replacing the main hydraulic line to the front cylinder. Oh also replacing the timber roof supports with steel and scraping out 6" more earth to provide greater height in the tractor shed

City people ask what I do out here in the bush. "Don't I get bored"

 

[Redneck in training]

Glad you accomplished the task.
Living in the bush is great but it is not for everyone. The nights are dark and the forest is full of sounds able to strike fear in average city slicker. It has its own challenges but then you look up at the night sky and say wow. It never gets too old to me. My wife is a city girl and was somewhat apprehensive to move to the sticks. But if I tell her today to sell the place and buy condo in the town she would tell me only over her dead body.

 

[farm boy00]

All fixed - what a swine of a job (no adverse comment on pigs)

As noted earlier, the second wheel turned out to be full of water and I was kidding myself expecting 300 Kg - it was double that and actually BENT the jib just lifting the wheel (not the tractor). Fortunately a neighbour had another heavier jib so with many changes of sling positions, much backing and sheer grunt, three of us finally managed to lift, swing and relocate the wheel onto the hub. One of the biggest hassles was getting the locking tab on the wheel lined up with the matching slot on the hub.

The chains are now on - both lateral and around the circumference - I might add more if needed

Incidentally, this job followed on from replacing much of the exhaust, changing the fuel line and bleeding the system, replacing the main hydraulic line to the front cylinder. Oh also replacing the timber roof supports with steel and scraping out 6" more earth to provide greater height in the tractor shed

City people ask what I do out here in the bush. "Don't I get bored"

I think you forgot something. Saying the whole sailer dictionary if you could catch my drift.

Actually you can get bored. At least for me right now. Moving and don't have any of my tools and out of tractor gas.