Valve stems facing wrong way?

[BeezFun]

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?

 

[CalG]

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.

 

[Deerherd]

On my tractor, setting them to the widest position has the valves on the inside also.

 

[Baby Grand]

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.

 

[BeezFun]

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.

 

[LD1]

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.

 

[varmint]

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.

 

[Tx Jim]

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.

 

[BeezFun]

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.

 

[LD1]

Drilling a hole might not work if you have tubes. But I am betting they are reversable

 

[Tx Jim]

Drilling a hole might not work if you have tubes. But I am betting they are reversable

Actually since so many tractor tires come tubeless I was referring to that application ALTHOUGH I have an '80 model Ford 6700 with tube type tires that has a valve stem hole on both sides of rim with one hole plugged with a rubber plug and other hole has valve stem.

 

[smstonypoint]

I just took delivery on a used L3130, and noticed the rears have their valve stems on the inside, too.

The valve stems on the rears of my NH TN55 are on the inside, too. Are we in the minority?

Steve

 

[Gordon Gould]

I put the valve stems to the inside on the rear on purpose. If I could I would do the same on the front but my wheels only go on one way. If you work in the woods or in rough areas, especially with snow where you can't see what you are driving on, like baby G says, you are very much less apt to push a branch or other object against the stem when they are on the inside. Push the stem over hard with a branch and the tire flattens in a hurry. Don't ask how I know. I've driven out of the woods more than once with a floppy flat front tire in the snow.

 

[CalG]

Now what?...Tractors are gonna be either "innies" or "outies". Jeesh! Worse than babies ;-)

 

[murphy1244]

I put the valve stems to the inside on the rear on purpose. If I could I would do the same on the front but my wheels only go on one way. If you work in the woods or in rough areas, especially with snow where you can't see what you are driving on, like baby G says, you are very much less apt to push a branch or other object against the stem when they are on the inside. Push the stem over hard with a branch and the tire flattens in a hurry. Don't ask how I know. I've driven out of the woods more than once with a floppy flat front tire in the snow.

Kioti uses guards on the front rims,

 

[Gordon Gould]

Kioti uses guards on the front rims,

I hear you. It's on the project list. I even have the guard pieces all made and setting in a jar somewhere.

 

[murphy1244]

I hear you. It's on the project list. I even have the guard pieces all made and setting in a jar somewhere.

Wish they were on the back too.

 

[smstonypoint]

Now what?...Tractors are gonna be either "innies" or "outies". Jeesh! Worse than babies ;-)

I guess my tractor must be a "tweener" -- innies on the rear, outies on the front.

Steve

 

[murphy1244]

I guess my tractor must be a "tweener" -- innies on the rear, outies on the front.

Steve

Same here.

 

[TripleR]

The valve stems on my L5030 had guards and faced out.