Reverse (widen) front wheels?

[jshwhite]

Is there any problem with reversing the front wheels on my L3710 (4x4)? I would like them to be a little wider. Reversing them helps a little - not much, but some. Is there anything wrong with doing it?

 

[TripleR]

There are several old threads on this. You won't gain stability due to the center pivot axle and you put more load on your bearings etc. Whether it is enough to cause harm, I just don't know.

 

[KennyV]

Like TripleR said... You gain Nothing, But really increase the load on the bearings and the outer front end assembly...
Keep them In as close as possible... KennyV

 

[magicheater]

My solution is to get wider rims with the correct offset, making sure the subsequent wider tire matches the static loaded radius of the old one (+- 2-3%) to ensure your front/rear ratio is correct. I have successfully managed to do this on my L4350 (for sale) and my B7800. I found stock Kubota rims to accomplish this on my B7800 and really like the extra flotation as I am all about loaders and using them.

 

[jshwhite]

Wow, thanks for the replies. To be honest, I had already reversed them this morning, but after reading this, I promptly went back out and flipped them back around. Thanks again TBNrs!

 

[oldballs]

I don't understand. What does "reverseing" mean?...if you please.

 

[jshwhite]

Reversing means to take the wheel off, flip it inside out, and re-mount it. With most rims, this will set the wheel out (wider) by a little, sometimes a lot depending on how the rim is made. That help explain it?

 

[Bluegill2]

There are several old threads on this. You won't gain stability due to the center pivot axle and you put more load on your bearings etc. Whether it is enough to cause harm, I just don't know.

Agreed, most don't think about the center pivot point of the front axle.

 

[kuboman]

A good rule of thumb is to turn the wheels as the tractor sits stationary. If the tire makes a scuffed mark on the ground then you are good. If the wheel makes an ark on the ground then you will likely cause increased wear and probably break something if you have a loader on.

 

[jshwhite]

A good rule of thumb is to turn the wheels as the tractor sits stationary. If the tire makes a scuffed mark on the ground then you are good. If the wheel makes an ark on the ground then you will likely cause increased wear and probably break something if you have a loader on.

Good to know. Thanks for the tip.

 

[oldballs]

Reversing means to take the wheel off, flip it inside out, and re-mount it. With most rims, this will set the wheel out (wider) by a little, sometimes a lot depending on how the rim is made. That help explain it?

Thanks....who ever thought of doing something like that had a good eye for improvisation.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks....who ever thought of doing something like that had a good eye for improvisation.

It use to be common practice on farm tractors. We routinely did this when I was a kid as we needed different widths for plowing then to fit the rows cultivating. We extended/retracted the front axle and moved the RR tire to LR etc. Our newer tractors, you just flip the dish; lots lighter.

 

[oldballs]

Well, I'll never be a farmer, but would have liked to have been. Just trying to do some plowing with the BX was a problem because the wheels don't track like they should. But being a hobby gardener is as close as I'll ever get.

 

[TripleR]

Well, I'll never be a farmer, but would have liked to have been. Just trying to do some plowing with the BX was a problem because the wheels don't track like they should. But being a hobby gardener is as close as I'll ever get.

Yeah, the width or ground clearance on a BX doesn't really lend itself to plowing etc., but are really neat little machines, we love ours.

bp fick has some real good posts on gardening if you've never read them; lots of gardeners on here.

 

[nharrold]

I reversed the front tires on my B7800 to provide sufficient clearance for snow chains between the inside sidewall and the suspension/steering components, which I couldn't install when the tires were in their usual position. I haven't noticed any problems such as noted above, and it's been four years, now. The only difficulty, and it's a slight one, is that the tire valve stems are now on the inside, making them harder to reach when checking and restoring tire pressure.