Ballast Offset Wheels - L5240 - Your advice

[bitseeker]

We are upgrading from a BX23 to an L5240. The tractor will be used on very steep terrain, and I want maximum stability. All the tires are filled with Rim Guard.

I see that I can gain another 4" of rear tire-width and the stability that goes with that by moving the rim loops outside the wheel disk. I set out to do that, and ran into a couple of issues that I'd like advice and ideas on how to do the change.

The first issue is the tire weight. With the Rim Guard, each wheel and tire weighs approximately 600 pounds. Being both old and weak, I want to avoid having that weight get away from me. I used the Backhoe stabilizers to just have the tires clear the pavement. I left the two studs in the hub with the nuts loose and the same for two of the bolts through the loops and disk. I planned to pop the disk out of the rim and then to remove all the loop bolts and then rotate the hub and attached disk 30-degrees to clear the loops and jocky the tire and rim out a couple of inches, rotate the disk back, and reinstall the bolts.

The second issue is getting the disk and rim separate. When I tried to pry the disk out of the tapered edges of the loops, I could not get it to budge. It seems to be wedged in there, which I am sure is good for centering the assembly. Is there a technique to separate the rim and disk, or is it usually done with the wheel fully removed and a hammer from the back side? I do not want to do that because of the difficulty of getting the 600 pound assembly lined back up.

The third issue is when the loops are outside the disk like I want them to be, it seems like the carrage-bolt heads whll have to be on the outside and the the nuts inside. Is that correct? If correct, how do you torque the nuts when they are buried inside the wheel like that?

Somewhere I have the torque specs for those wheel bolts, which I recall as 160 foot-pounds, and that's what I have re-torqued them to. I can't find those specs, and would like confirmation if you know what they should be.

Thanks for any help and related tips you might be willing to offer.

 

[dex3361]

Get some help with setting the wheels out and there are several width choices depending on how you turn the rims and wheels. I would not fill the front tires if this unit is under warranty it will void the warranty. the front tires act as a cushion and when they are loaded there is not enough air space to allow for the dampening effect. This could cause damage to the front axle. I just wanted to warn you before not after something happens.

 

[bitseeker]

Get some help with setting the wheels out and there are several width choices depending on how you turn the rims and wheels. I would not fill the front tires if this unit is under warranty it will void the warranty. the front tires act as a cushion and when they are loaded there is not enough air space to allow for the dampening effect. This could cause damage to the front axle. I just wanted to warn you before not after something happens.

Thanks Randal,

I understand the various offsets. It is now at the next-to-widest. I want the widest.

On offsetting the wheels, is the conventional way to remove the wheel completely, then remove the disk and re-attach the disk in the desired offset location and then re-install the wheel?

Thank you for the warning. The tractor is brand new, and is under warranty. The Kubota dealer I bought it from filled the tires to the top of the rims, approximately 75%. Does that 25% air provide enough cushion?

 

[KennyV]

You need to get all the help you can fit around the wheel... It's going to be a lot heavier than you think. You can man-handle these things but have enough help and take your time.

And the center disk is VERY heavy also.

When you do finally get everything mounted back, start torque in 3 or 4 steps and rotate the wheel assembly, with tractor still jacked up, a few full turns between each torque step.
Then after reaching final torque, drive a couple right hand circles then a few left hand circles. Follow up with a re torque. Doing this with hand tools rather than power tools is time consuming but if you don't take the time now, you will have to later when you are replacing the bolts.
You can do the nuts on the inside at the bottom of the rim using an extension. You will need help holding the breaks and rotating the wheel while you are laying under torquing... Have enough help so you can take turns ... Have fun and you will end up very wide. KennyV

 

[dex3361]

Thanks Randal,

I understand the various offsets. It is now at the next-to-widest. I want the widest.

On offsetting the wheels, is the conventional way to remove the wheel completely, then remove the disk and re-attach the disk in the desired offset location and then re-install the wheel?

Thank you for the warning. The tractor is brand new, and is under warranty. The Kubota dealer I bought it from filled the tires to the top of the rims, approximately 75%. Does that 25% air provide enough cushion?

That is the proper level to fill the rear tires. If I remember the not filling the front tire thing is in the owners manual in the tire section. I also set my rims to their widest setting. Like you I work on steep hills a lot and it makes a big difference.

 

[TripleR]

Wish I could help, but being way past my prime, I had mine done prior to delivery on of my L5030.

Good advice so far and good luck.

 

[bitseeker]

. . .
I had mine done prior to delivery on of my L5030.

I sure wish I had mine done before bringing it home. The dealer is over 80 miles distant.

I found the torque specs, and it is 160 foot-pounds for the rear lug and loop fasteners. I will do the move and re-torque as suggested.

 

[TripleR]

I sure wish I had mine done before bringing it home. The dealer is over 80 miles distant.

I found the torque specs, and it is 160 foot-pounds for the rear lug and loop fasteners. I will do the move and re-torque as suggested.

I just found the specs on torque too. I always seem to have to go to the manual with multiple tractors. I am doing my 50 hour service tomorrow and had to look it up.

Good luck, at my age, I have to have a lot of stuff done by the dealer or one of my sons; seems like stuff is getting heavier every day