Question on two part (bolt together) rims

[massey990]

A neighbor (no computer/internet) is interested in having a second set of wheels/tires for an older model Kubota B series, one turf tread the other ag treads.

He has found a set of new Kubota rims that are two piece bolt together but they are only 5" wide. The ag tires he is considering are recommended to be mounted on 6" rims.

Is it feasable to use washers or another type of spacer to expand the rims to 6"? He understands that these rims will require tubes. Another question is if the above is feasable what if anything could or should be used to "lap the gap" in the center of the rims? He suggested duct taping a piece of old inner tube.

 

[crash325]

You should be able to get a "Liner" like the ones used on truck split rims. Do not space out with washers or similar, that's asking for trouble. 1" In rim width is not going to make a real difference.

I also doubt that after switching tires once of twice, it will never happen again.

My :2cents:

 

[JoeL4330]

I am not very familiar with split rims, but the principle is that the bolts that hold it together are not reliable in shear...but, when tightened it is the friction of the two mating surfaces that "drive" each other, as it were. Spacing out will compromise this and you would be depending on the bolts not to shear, which is not per design. ...just my opinion, but I would never do it--split rims are iffy at best.

 

[massey990]

Thanks for the replies.

I also doubt that after switching tires once of twice, it will never happen again.

I understand but it is much easier to switch out wheels/tires than it is to remount tires and there is a huge difference in the treads. Also the turf saver tires will wear out very quiclky on gravel surfaces and the ag tires will tear up the yard.

The turf tires are typical Carlisle "Ture Saver" however the AG tires are something else:

 

[sandman2234]

A solid spacer with o-ring grooves for keeping air in and water out "MIGHT" work, but is going to be a little bit of a headache to get made unless you happen to own a metal worrking lathe.
My old Ford 1100 subcompact tractor used two piece rims, and they could be a royal pain to get apart at times, but mostly from the rim rusting to the tire, etc. Probably not any more than a single piece rim, but since they were two piece, I always "thought" I should be able to disasemble them at home...
David from jax

 

[massey990]

A solid spacer with o-ring grooves for keeping air in and water out "MIGHT" work, but is going to be a little bit of a headache to get made unless you happen to own a metal worrking lathe.
My old Ford 1100 subcompact tractor used two piece rims, and they could be a royal pain to get apart at times, but mostly from the rim rusting to the tire, etc. Probably not any more than a single piece rim, but since they were two piece, I always "thought" I should be able to disasemble them at home...
David from jax

Thanks, For now he is going to just use tubes and see how they work out, he may switch the turf treads to the 5" rims and mount the ag tires on the original wider rims.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I worked in Air Force Vehicle Maintenance for 20+ years.

Split rim truck tires are about the most dangerous things you can work on in a shop. Plenty of instances where people have been decapitated/amputated when the rim lets go unexpectedly. They sound like a bomb going off and I've seen holes punched in roofs and tire cages trashed from them. (Cage held, but we had to get a new one.)

I'm all for DITY projects and building things from scratch, but with wheels and tires I would really recommend not tinkering to make it fit.

 

[aczlan]

I worked in Air Force Vehicle Maintenance for 20+ years.
Split rim truck tires are about the most dangerous things you can work on in a shop. Plenty of instances where people have been decapitated/amputated when the rim lets go unexpectedly. They sound like a bomb going off and I've seen holes punched in roofs and tire cages trashed from them. (Cage held, but we had to get a new one.)

Were those split rims with a locking ring, or bolt together rims? I would work on bolt together rims, but wouldn't touch rims with a locking ring without a cage.

Aaron Z

 

[massey990]

These are bolt together rims.

We understand that whatever tires are mounted they will require tubes. But one advantage may be that tires can be mounted without the typical struggles.