kubota m8540 front end spacer installation

[genecot]

Hi. have a m8540 with fel. I would like to remove the fel and extend the front end tire width to 80 inches. In order to run down 40 inch rows. I also would have to of course extend rear wheels with a spacer. looking at the owners manual extending the front end does not seem to be a big deal. However; i have been told that it is a major undertaking even for an experienced mechanic. Taking about 3-4 hours. I would like to take off and put on the front fel probably only very rarely. My question is: Has any one else extended their front wheels and how dificult was it? Any additional thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Thank you
gene

 

[slowzuki]

The front end axle spacers take awhile to install but why would you take them off? The rear should be able to flip the rims and dishes or cast centres to obtain the spacing. Does Kubota not recommend loader use with the spacers? If you weren't using the loader heavily I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I own an M8540 and have all of my owner's manuals and assembly instructions.

I assume, based on the front tread width you wish to use, that you have 2wd.

I'm looking at my FEL assembly instructions and it says to use a 59.8" front tread width with the FEL. It says to use this tread width because of excessive stress on the front axle when using the FEL. Looking at how the front axles can widen, it probably does not take much added weight to cause problems with the front end all the way out. My tractor owner's manual says the front end should not be greater that 60.6" when using the FEL. (This is the 2nd to narrowest setting.)

Anyway, looking at my tractor's owner's manual, it looks like making the front end wider is pretty easy. The only real difficult (but not really) or time consuming part is adjusting the tie rods and adjusting the toe. Adjusting the toe is not that big of a deal, however it looks like you have to buy (and install) a short spacer for 64.6", 68.5" and 72.4"... and have to buy (and install) a long spacer for 76.4" and 80.3" positions. These spacers are for the tie rods (one each side).

At the 80.3" setting, I would be worried about even an empty FEL installed.

One more thing, I'm not sure what spacers slowzuki is referring to. I don't see any spacers being involved to widen a 2wd front end.

 

[genecot]

Thank you guys for your answers. I should have said I actually have 4-wheel drive. I agree looking at the manual extension to 80 inches does not look difficult. Kubota does say not to use the fel with the front end extended past 60.6 as mentioned. The coffee shop guys are also split some also think using the fel with the extension would'nt bother them , but i'm not knowledgable enough to be comfortable with this. thanks so much for your time guys any further comments are welcome.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Thank you guys for your answers. I should have said I actually have 4-wheel drive. I agree looking at the manual extension to 80 inches does not look difficult. Kubota does say not to use the fel with the front end extended past 60.6 as mentioned. The coffee shop guys are also split some also think using the fel with the extension would'nt bother them , but i'm not knowledgable enough to be comfortable with this. thanks so much for your time guys any further comments are welcome.

I think the manual only addresses 4wd front end widening via flipping the stock ag wheels around to make the dish go out. I have R4s (I also have 4wd) so I don't know how much would be gained. With my R4s, there isn't much I could do other than add spacers. It has been a while since I measured my front end so I don't even know how much spacing would be required. Spacers can add a LOT of stress though.

Good luck!

 

[slowzuki]

I thought you were talking about the 4wd's that use a cast block and new inner axle shafts to widen the beam. The old M9000's and M120's needed that to get out really wide.