Flipping tires for wider base
- Thread starter Jasonpro
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Greenland South
Silver Member
Did mine a few years ago. Big improvement in stability. Would have configured them wider but the tractor wouldn't have fit between the wheel wells on the trailer. Don't know about your tractor but my owners manual specifically stated not to do the front. There should be section in your manual showing different widths you can obtain.
ericm979
Super Member
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- Santa Cruz Mountains CA, Southern OR
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- Branson 3725H Deere 5105
The factory would not have the option of setting them wide if it was bad for the bearings. Or rather they will have designed the axles etc to handle the widest setting.
Get the dealer to set it up like you want. They have to put the wheels on anyhow as part of dealer prep. The rear wheels are heavy especially if you have them filled.
Get the dealer to set it up like you want. They have to put the wheels on anyhow as part of dealer prep. The rear wheels are heavy especially if you have them filled.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I can change the "width" on both front & rear tires on my Kubota M6040. My front tires are set at a, more or less, "neutral" setting. My rears are one click short of the very widest setting. This is all recommended by Kubota - in my Op Manual. Two tractors - 38+ years with the rears set very wide - never a problem with bearings nor anything else.
Just be very careful if/when you do any swapping. If the tires are just "air filled" they will still be heavy. If they are "fluid filled" - I would be sure somebody is there to assist you or have a professional do the work. My fluid filled rear tires weight over 1000 pound each. One slip and I could be squashed like a bug. AND I'm out here - all by myself. Closest neighbor - 4.5 miles away.
Just be very careful if/when you do any swapping. If the tires are just "air filled" they will still be heavy. If they are "fluid filled" - I would be sure somebody is there to assist you or have a professional do the work. My fluid filled rear tires weight over 1000 pound each. One slip and I could be squashed like a bug. AND I'm out here - all by myself. Closest neighbor - 4.5 miles away.
CobyRupert
Super Member
You might also be able to change how wheel rim's inner dish mounts to outer rim for width adjustment, in addition to switching sides to take advantage of "offsets".
Yes, physics and geometry says bearing and axle sees more torque at wider width, but they're fine and are designed for such. Your motor will stall or wheels will spin before you overload bearing or axles.
Narrow tires are bad for bearings (along with rest of tractor) if tractor gets rolled and totaled.
Negatives are fitting into places. Like on trailers or trucks, through gates, etc..
The only negative with a mower, rear blade, etc.. not covering wheel width is if you're up against a fence, building, etc.. In fact, a narrower mower only mows zero or one trampled track instead of two.
Advantages are huge (IMHO). In my case, a few inches wider made a huge difference on center of gravity and confidence. That is, presently my tolerance limit on slopes is more psychological that physical. I chicken out before any real danger. Previously, before I widened tire width, this was not case, danger was real.
Yes, physics and geometry says bearing and axle sees more torque at wider width, but they're fine and are designed for such. Your motor will stall or wheels will spin before you overload bearing or axles.
Narrow tires are bad for bearings (along with rest of tractor) if tractor gets rolled and totaled.
Negatives are fitting into places. Like on trailers or trucks, through gates, etc..
The only negative with a mower, rear blade, etc.. not covering wheel width is if you're up against a fence, building, etc.. In fact, a narrower mower only mows zero or one trampled track instead of two.
Advantages are huge (IMHO). In my case, a few inches wider made a huge difference on center of gravity and confidence. That is, presently my tolerance limit on slopes is more psychological that physical. I chicken out before any real danger. Previously, before I widened tire width, this was not case, danger was real.
