Tractor Positive Camber - Why?

[Jay4200]

Does anyone know why tractors are designed with such extreme positive camber (front wheels sloping out at the top, in at the bottom)? It seems that is the last thing one would want, considering the weight that the wheels have to support, especially with FEL work, not to mention that positive camber makes tipping over considerably easier. I guess it makes initiating a turn easier, but at 3MPH, who cares?!

Is there actually a good reason for this, or is it just tradition left over from before they invented power steering?

Jay

 

[theonlybull]

actually, i belive it is to help the front end carry the load, and to make it much easier to steer.... the tire being tipped keeps the kingpin angle closer to straight, and still pointed at the center of the tire.... this is much more important now, then in the older tractors without power steering... with an fel, the load on the steering componets is quite high, and if they were asked to control a tire that stuck out to the side, may fail very early in life....

this also prevents torque steer in rough terain, keeping things much easier on the knuckles

 

[turnkey4099]

Yes, kingpin pointing to the center of the tire patch is the reason. If it didn't line up, the wheel would have to roll as well as pivot in order to turn. It also puts the weight directly on the axle piot vice offset from it.

Harry K