Reversing Rear Tires

[RoyJackson]

I actually posted this in an older thread in the New Holland forum (as a response), but it's much more applicable to Deere owners.

Here's an example of what you can expect before and after reversing (or swapping side to side) rear tires. This is mostly directed for folks who want to install tire chains (which is why I did it), but also those who want a bit more spacing for stability. This is applicable to turfs, but you should see similar results with R-4 tires). The tires are 41-14-20 turfs.
The first pic is of my 4400 (actually on the dealer's lot right after I bought it) with those rear turfs in factory stock position. Not much clearance for chains, eh?
The second and third pictures are what you can expect after reversing those rear tires (this is, of course, on a Deere 4400. You'll get the same results on 4200, 4210, 4300, 4310 and 4410 tractors...other Deere models and other brands may have different results but I expect very similar results with the 3120, 3320, 3520 and 3720).

Well, now I'm ready for that snow storm...

 

[AKfish]

Good info, Roy. My old JD 970 had turfs on it, too. With chains, I actually think they were better on ice and snow than my R4's.

I believe the "sipes" (sp?) or all those small slits in the tread were the reason that the traction was better.

AKfish

 

[defed]

it looks to me like you have a slightly greater increase then i have on my 4300 w/ R4's. in narrow, it looks like your turfs are closer than my R4's where and when reversed the space looks about the same as mine. either an illusion or a slight difference on the dish of your rims?

i might have gained 1" per wheel (if that), but it's enough for chains. i went for the 2 link ladders....man are those heavy.

 

[RoyJackson]

it looks to me like you have a slightly greater increase then i have on my 4300 w/ R4's. in narrow, it looks like your turfs are closer than my R4's where and when reversed the space looks about the same as mine. either an illusion or a slight difference on the dish of your rims?

i might have gained 1" per wheel (if that), but it's enough for chains. i went for the 2 link ladders....man are those heavy.

I got at least 1.5" per side. I'd guess the offset on the wheels used for turfs is a bit greater then those used for R-4 tires. I'm pretty sure wheels used for R-4's are wider then wheels used for R-3's.

I know about the weight of those 2-Link chains! Arrabil brought his over when he helped me swap my tires around. His drive is paved and pretty steep so he has 2-link chains front and back.
I went with 4-link ladders (as you see in the pictures) since my drive is pretty level. The 4-link chains are pretty heavy too (I'll estimate 70 lbs each).

 

[JHTFarmer]

Looks better with or without chains when you have the wheels like that, much more stable in appearance

 

[RADIUM]

Nice job Roy, I always have my tractors wheels dished out as far as possible stability being the number one thing in mind. Do you think you're going to keep it that way? Or just for the winter months with the chains? I think most dealers should give the customer an option to dish the wheels out from factory standards, especially before they load them makes life easy when installing chains or mowing on hills take care

 

[defed]

i leave mine out all the time. i did it for stability, but seeing as i only gained 2 inches overall, not sure it did much. but the chains fit better and they aren't wider than my loader bucket, so it's good enough.

i also turned my fronts out to see what difference it made. they gain alot more width, and are wider than the rears AND the loader bucket (and my 59 blower when i get it fixed up).

 

[dcyrilc]

i leave mine out all the time. i did it for stability, but seeing as i only gained 2 inches overall, not sure it did much. but the chains fit better and they aren't wider than my loader bucket, so it's good enough.

i also turned my fronts out to see what difference it made. they gain alot more width, and are wider than the rears AND the loader bucket (and my 59 blower when i get it fixed up).

I've never seen much point in widening the front. With the pivoting front axle there is no increase to stability.

 

[crusty 1]

I've never seen much point in widening the front. With the pivoting front axle there is no increase to stability.

Hey Cyril,very good talking with you the other evening!Your picture of the duals installed on your tractor begs an answer"got grease?":laughing::laughingave

 

[RoyJackson]

Nice job Roy, I always have my tractors wheels dished out as far as possible stability being the number one thing in mind. Do you think you're going to keep it that way?

Yep, they'll stay reversed. The only thing I was concerned about was enough clearance to check the air pressure (with the valve stems inside), but that turned out to be no problem.
Also, my lawn is sloped, so I want that added stability.