Reverse the tread

[stuckmotor]

I need to move some dirt down a hill a few feet to make a level spot for a shop and road behind my house. The hill is pretty steep and I have trouble backing up it. The ag tires pull fine going in the direction of the tread and I'm thinking that I might reverse them so I can push the dirt down hill with the loader and still be able to back up for the next push. Has anyone ever done this and if so, how well did it work?

 

[Notforhire]

I have no personal experence with reversing tires, but I have seen tractors with one tire reversed. I guess it was common practice working for in sand/ gravel pits years ago. You would use the steering brakes to give traction to the correct tire.

Bill

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks, Bill. There was a tractor for sale somewhere the other day with one reversed tread. You probably just explained why it was done.

 

[MIKE R]

I have seen the tires reversed on a old Farmall M that was used for pulling. The tread designed to help drop the dirt/mug out from between the lugs when going forward so reversing them will cause it drop the mud and get better traction in reverse.

When I see a tractor with one tire on backwards I have to think that the person installed the tire on the wrong way (dish in or out) and instead of dismounting it and changing the direction they left in on backwards.

 

[johndeerejohn]

I can't say it wouldn't help but the way I see it it's more about weight distribution. as soon at the tractor is headed down hill the weight on the drive tires shifts forward. and with most of the weight of a tractor foward of the drive wheels I don't think the tread direction would matter much. I would think you would have better luck putting ballast behind the rear wheels. That's just my two cents.

 

[Xfaxman]

I need to move some dirt down a hill a few feet to make a level spot for a shop and road behind my house. The hill is pretty steep and I have trouble backing up it. The ag tires pull fine going in the direction of the tread and I'm thinking that I might reverse them so I can push the dirt down hill with the loader and still be able to back up for the next push. Has anyone ever done this and if so, how well did it work?

It worked well for me, I could really tell the difference. It is easy to do, just raise the back, support it securely, unfasten one wheel, roll it to the other side, unfasten that side roll it to the first side and fasten them on, That is it, reversed!

I had to do it on the front, but same result. I was working in some sloppy stuff!

 

[stuckmotor]

John,
You're probably right about the ballast. I haven't had this tractor very long and don't yet have a ballast drum or a heavy implement to use for balast so, I thought I'd check out my options before getting down in the dirt tomorrow.
Xfaxman,
Thank you very much. There's nothing like experience!