Is wider better on slopes?

[Boondox]

Most of the tractors in my hilly part of New England have their rims set to the middle position. Wide, but not as wide as possible. Some, especially those who take their tractors into the woods, set their wheels to the absolute widest position. In the case of my Kubota L3010 with Aggie tires, the treads would be 90% beyond the fenders. Looks a little funky and would probably throw a lot of mud on the operator, but also looks like the most stable arrangement for use on hillsides.

Anybody have any comments on the pros and cons of going that wide?

Pete

 

[Redfisher]

I have heard talk about the wider you go the more stress on the breaings,axle etc. If this is true I can not say.

Anywho have a good one/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[EdKing]

<font color=blue>Anybody have any comments on the pros and cons of going that wide?</font color=blue>

<font color=red>Pros</font color=red>
Definitly more stable on a slope. Ever see that Pontiac comercial, "Wider is better"

<font color=red>Cons</font color=red>
Wider means less manueverable in tighter areas, the need for wider implements to cover your tire tracks, will definately through mud on you, especialy when leaving a muddy area and going on a road in top gear.

 

[chim]

I have the same thoughts about stresses. The manual that came with my B7500 indicates a max width of 38" center-to-center on the rears (using R4 tires). The axle would allow me to slide the wheels maybe 46". I have some sidehills, and although there could be better stability with a wider setting, I am also concerned about the stresses on the axles when carrying close to 600# of finish mower when it's picked up.

 

[Boondox]

Ed -- Did I read somewhere that you were a fellow Marine? If so, Semper Fi, brother! Thanks for the feedback.

Pete (Devildoc with 9th Marines: 1975-77)

 

[RoyJackson]

I am also concerned about the stresses on the axles when carrying close to 600# of finish mower when it's picked up...

Good point, but if the tractor rolls on a side hill, that stress on the axle is going to be the least of your worries!!

Obviously, it's a trade off. But has anyone here had or heard of an axle or bearing failure resulting from transporting an implement (other then abusing the equipment)?

I've a Befco 60" finishing mower. This mower (~400 lbs) weighs considerably less then your Landpride. I normally keep it pretty low, even when transporting. If I'm on grass, I don't even raise it, just shut the PTO off, and move along.

 

[chim]

Roy, you're quite correct about "least of my worries". One of the things I was thinking about was the amount of driving I do with the mower picked up. Each week, I do about a mile to Mom's and another mile back. The trip is via PA roads (see other thread /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif). While on my place or hers, the deck spends most of its time on its own four wheels. The R4's on the rear are about 10-1/2" wide, so the 7500 has a pretty good base at 48-1/2" without setting the wheels beyond spec............chim

 

[EdKing]

Semper Fi Pete, I was with the 3rd Air Wing from 86 to 88, out at MCAS El Toro.

In response to the other's posts (Chim and Roy) I wouldn't go beyond what the manual says for maximum width, I imagine it could cause damage to bearings, axle, and possibly the axle housing itself.

 

[RoyJackson]

Each week, I do about a mile to Mom's and another mile back. The trip is via PA roads (see other thread ).

chim,
you may have seen my post on lateral sway adjustments. How much movement does your mower have (measured at the aft most caster wheels) side to side?

I see you're a neighbor (Lancaster County... I'm in Windsor, York County)


Ed and Pete....can't have the grunts get all the glory. I was USN 1969-1977 (USS Saratoga, NAF Naples, USS Inchon along with a couple of side trips). I was an aviation metalsmith while in the Navy...wha'd y'all do? (Pete, see you were both USN and USMC....gads!)

 

[Boondox]

Roy -- I was a navy corpsman. Started off with the Marines and really loved it! Actually made Leatherneck of the Year for my regiment once. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Went from there to shore duty, but hated hospitals, so kept volunteering for sea duty: USS Ponce, USS Gurnard, USS Jouett, USS Callaghan, USS Pluck. Made chief in 10 years then was accepted to grad school so after 12 years I moved ashore permanently.

But even after all that haze gray and underway time, I still remember the United States Marine Corps as the most professional bunch I was ever associated with.

Pete

 

[EdKing]

Roy, I was an Avation ECM tech, I worked on the countermeasure black boxes the planes carried.

 

[chim]

Roy, the next time I have the deck on, I'll measure it. I have it adjusted so there is very little movement. I prefer to have it so the movement is minimal so it doesn't slam from side to side when I make turns. I had the dealer get a pair of the telescoping stabilizers (like the larger tractors have) for me to replace the turnbuckle type that came with the tractor. That was money well spent. I should be mowing right now, but I'm waiting for Wifey to finish dessert so we can go pick up a used rotary cutter. Pretty hard to keep ahead of the grass this year so far. Looks like someone forgot to tell the lawns around here there's a drought on. I have a Brother-in-law who recently bought a farm in your area, not too far from East Berlin....................chim

 

[RoyJackson]

...I'll measure it. I have it adjusted so there is very little movement. I prefer to have it so the movement is minimal so it doesn't slam from side to side when I make turns. I had the dealer get a pair of the telescoping stabilizers (like the larger tractors have) for me to replace the turnbuckle type that came with the tractor.

I'd appreciate that, Chim... I'm going to ask my dealer about the telescoping stabilizers too. Never even thought about them....Thanks!

I should be mowing right now, but I'm waiting for Wifey to finish dessert so we can go pick up a used rotary cutter

So, where are ya picking this up...private owner?

The best price I got on a 48" rotary cutter was for a Howse. This was from Walt's Tractors just north of Harrisburg. I believe the price was $475 ot $485. This was for a new unit...
Guy I used to work with has a JD 48" (I've used this one). Nice cutter....he never uses it! I'm trying to talk him into selling it to me...but he's a packrat....doesn't want to let it go. Well, I'm a packrat too...so I know how it is.

 

[chim]

Roy, the mower was from a private owner just on the North side of Lebanon. It is a blue 60" KK, and is in good shape. He had it advertised in Lancaster Farming for $450, but settled for $400 even. The hitch pins look pretty high, just like some of the posters mentioned. Hopefully there will be time to fiddle with it next week. Plans are for a marathon mow tomorrow evening, so I'll get the measurements for you then. Glad the work lights were one of the first projects.

My dealer (Keller Brothers in Lancaster) quoted $120 for all the parts and pieces to make up the telescoping bars, and said he would give me some credit for the unused turnbuckle bars. So far he didn't tell me what the net would be.............chim

 

[Egon]

Boondox:

Wider would be better for stability but would also put more strain on the axle and bearings. If the setting is there the system should be designed to handle it.
Have a look at the snow cats they use for grooming the slopes at Stowe. Very wide tracks set very far apart.
If it helps keep the greasy side down why worry about looks. As for the mud don't grin and keep your mouth shut and all will be okay. Nothin more aggrivating than getting little rocks bouncing of your teeth. [ experience from mountain bike's, muddy trails and breathin real hard ]

Egon

 

[Boondox]

Egon -- I was thinking the same thing...if the Kubota manual says it's okay to have them set that wide, the tractor must be able to handle it. Thanks

Pete

 

[chim]

Roy, the mowing is finally done. The lateral movement at the shaft of the rear casters is about 1". Works fine for me that way................chim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Boondox,
I ran a Kubota B6200 for 7 yrs. with wheels out to the furthest
limit. I had liquid filled tires, frame weights, and alternated
between a belly mower, and a brush hog. Also carried a
large spraying unit on rear that weighed 500 lbs. when full.
I never had a bearing or axle problem. Used the same set up
for 5 yrs. on a Kubota B7100. No problems there either. I
averaged 30 hrs. a week during mowing season. Then 20 or
so hrs. a week in off season using sprayer, snow blade etc.
Rick

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy, the mowing is finally done. The lateral movement at the shaft of the rear casters is about 1". Works fine for me that way

Thank you, chim!

 

[Boondox]

Thanks, Rick. (Also thanks for the tiltmeter mounted above my dash!) I think the wide setting looks funky, will undoubtedly cover me with mud, and means my rear blade will no longer cover my tire tracks...but it sounds a heck of a lot safer given the slope of my land. Guess I'll be going wider. Thanks again.

Pete