Valve stems facing wrong way?

   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #1  

BeezFun

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
2,480
Location
IL
Tractor
Kubota B2710
Looked at a used L4330, the valve stems on front tires both face toward inside of tractor, which makes them difficult to access because the 4WD gearbox sits right in the inside of the rim. I'm not sure the rims could be flipped the other way, there's a slight raised lip around the inner edge of the rim, that lip centers the rim on the raised edge of the axle/hub. If I turn the rim around I think that lip will keep the surface of the rim from making proper contact with the hub. I talked to an L4330 owner on the forum, his valves face out. Any thoughts on why these valves face in and whether I can turn wheel around?
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #2  
I bet those wheels are reversible! flipping wheels are a way to change the track width, but it does mean for some settings, the valve stems will be less accessible.

Some designs are a compromise at best...... It's understanding the "why's" that allow acceptance.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #3  
On my tractor, setting them to the widest position has the valves on the inside also.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #4  
I can see an advantage: your valve stem is protected if your front tire/wheel rubs against anything. This happened to me while using the FEL to excavate a cut for a road in the side of a hill. Tore the valve stem like opening a pull tab beer can.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
OK, I guess I need to do the experiment before I buy it and try turning them around. I have more problems with snow/ice building up on the inside of the rim. I'm sure that would damage the valve in the winter. I don't get into any material that would touch them on the outside.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #6  
I am betting they are reversible also.

Mine are on my L3400. And they are set to the widest which also has the valve on the inside.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #7  
I just took delivery on a used L3130, and noticed the rears have their valve stems on the inside, too. I don't think the wheels are reversible, but haven't looked into it yet. Filled tires, so changing them might be a task.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #8  
You could drill a hole in the rim on the opposite side of the rim as the existing valve stem and install another valve stem. If snow or mud compaction on rim is a problem then just install metal valve stem that have a nut.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
You could drill a hole in the rim on the opposite side of the rim as the existing valve stem and install another valve stem. If snow or mud compaction on rim is a problem then just install metal valve stem that have a nut.

Great idea, if I can't reverse them I'll do that.
 
   / Valve stems facing wrong way? #10  
Drilling a hole might not work if you have tubes. But I am betting they are reversable
 

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