Wheel Spacer 27-2910

Minman · Dec 6, 2001

Ron,
I have R4's and plan to use the tractor for snowblowing the driveways to the new shop and the house. I have a fairly steep hill with dropoffs to each side.

In regard to making some sets of spacers, the industry is fairly slow right now, a great time to do some prototype work. The dealer quoted me a price for spacers that seems extremely high after seeing your picture. Also availability may be a large factor.
Brian

Anonymous Poster · Dec 6, 2001

I JUST INSTALLED 2 LINK LADDER CHAINS ON MY B2710 WITH R4'S. THE CHAINS WERE PURCHASED FROM TIRECHAINS.COM. THE CHAINS ONLY HAVE THE ADJUSTER ON ONE SIDE. THE OTHER IS JUST A SIMPLE HOOK.(CHAIN LINK WITH A SMALL SECTION CUT OUT).SINCE THE HOOK IS A CHAIN LINK I HAVE AN EVEN 1/2-3/4" DISTANCE FROM THE FENDER ALL THE WAY AROUND. NO BANG,CLICK,BOOP,DING. IF THERE WAS THE SAME ADJUSTER ON THE INSIDE - BANG,BANG,BANG,BANG.

DaveM · Dec 6, 2001

Hi Brian,

You've probably already figured out that there's no definitive answer to your question due to the different styles of chains and their clasps. I think you and your dealer will know immediately if there's a clearance problem. If you looked at the photo I attached in a previous message you'll see that I only need about 1/2" of additional clearance to use the duo-grip chains I bought (at my dealer's recommendation /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif).

For the rest of you that may have been waiting on an update from me... there's still been nothing to tell you. I'm still waiting! I've been calling my dealer once a week since the end of Oct. and they always give me "I don't know" or some excuse that changes everytime they tell me anything. If I ever get spacers and some info that would help others to get some, I'll post it ASAP.

Dave

RAllen · Dec 6, 2001

Dave

Thanks for the update. I wondered what happened to you. I seemed to luck out this year as the chains are not bumping anything this year...so far. But clearance is TIGHT and I am sure it will not last.

I do have a real problem, much worse than last year. My tires have 200 hours on them and, apparently, the wear has made them lose traction more rapidly. The fronts are the real problem. The chains on the R-4s take care of the back but the front tires are driving me crazy. I have some steep parts of the drive and the turn around and the front is slip-sliding around. Turning is almost impossible if I approach the hill from the wrong angle. I did not have these problems last year.

My dealer says NOT to put chains on the front and there is almost no space on between the inside tire and the tie-rods.
I am thinking of getting studs. I have no pavement as of now. If there anyone out there that have tried studs on a 2910? I know they will work on ice but my problem is snow. Its been too cold to form ice so far here in Montana. How did the studs do in snow?

Rick

DaveM · Dec 6, 2001

Rick,

This past spring when I got stranded down a snow covered path (and learned that I needed chains!) I had the same problem with my front wheels spinning and sliding side to side. At the time these tires only had 1.2 hours on them! Surface conditions and tire type means everything when it comes to traction.

I'd think studded front tires would help in snow but don't know if they'll be completely satisfactory for your conditions. Can studs be removed, say in the spring, without screwing up the tires? I too would like to hear anyone's experience with them.

Dave

ronjhall · Dec 6, 2001

Brian
Attached is a picture with all the dimensions that you should need to make spacers. I have included them in this post incase you can't read them in the JPG file.

Material CRS
OD 8.00"
ID 3.537"
Overall thickness 1.475"

Overall thickness could be
increased as long as wheel pilot
and axle bore are
Maintained.

Wheel pilot Dia.
is 4.320" X .20" high.

Counter bore axle side of spacer
4.335" Dia. X .440" deep

12 Holes Equally Spaced on
5.875 Bolt circle?? This diameter
was checked
with a tape measure

6 Holes 3/4-16 tap thru.
6 Holes .695 dia. drill thru,
Counter Bore 1.625" .630" deep

6 Bolts 3/4-16 X 2" long.
6 3/4" Flat washers
6 3/4" Lock Washers
2 studs are not required.
They are only to make it easier to put wheel on tractor,

If I missed any dimensions please let me know./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif I will get them for you./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

RAllen · Dec 6, 2001

Dave

No studs cannot be removed. If you needed to remove studs you would go to two sets of wheels and tires for the front. If you have pavement, you would want to change out the wheels and tires in the spring. Of course, you could go with on set of wheels but you would have to have the proper tires mounted each spring and fall. With wheels you could do it yourself.

Rick

ronjhall · Dec 6, 2001

Dave
A few years back I played around with Snowmobiles and Motorcycles on the ice. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif It was amazing how much traction making the tire tread like a sponge could generate. We made two 12" rollers that had sharp nails sticking out of them. Then ran cycle tire on the rollers and nails until tread looked like a sponge. I don't think you want to do that to your tractor tires./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
There was another trick we used for traction that you may want to try. We would screw some radio cabinet screws into tires. The usually have a hex head about 1/4" to 9/32". I have attached a picture of some that I still have from those days. If you try this make sure that screws are not too long and go all the way threw tire. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif I had different lengths form ¼ to ½".

DaveM · Dec 6, 2001

Rick & Ron,

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't really expect that one could remove studs but thought I should ask. Those self tapping screws might do the trick though... and be removable. In a perfect world I'd probably own 3 complete sets of tires/rims. Ags, turfs and R4s... plus a good set of chains for the Ags /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. But for this coming winter I'd be happy to just get some spacers so I can run the chains I already bought!

Take Care- Dave

PS- I don't think it's going to hit 60 degrees here today. Might even see some real snow by the new year. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

hayden · Dec 6, 2001

Ron,

I may be retracing old ground here, but what tires do you have that require spacers for chains? I've got R4s on my 2910 and use chains without any problem. It's tight, but it fits.

ronjhall · Dec 6, 2001

Peter
I have Firestone Turf & Feild tires. I noticed at a dealer the Turf tires on a new 2910 where not as wide as mine. I wonder if this is because of the chain problem. I think they were Triton tires.

RAllen · Dec 6, 2001

Ron

I forgot, thanks for posting the information on spacers. If anyone out there have the ability and desire to make them- or pay to have them made, I would also be interested if the price is not too steep.

Rick

Minman · Dec 6, 2001

Hi Ron,
Just got your excellent photo's and specs. I will check the stockroom in the morning. DaveM stated that his custom spacers are only 5/8" thick. I assume that this is not including the .200 wheel pilot. If this enough of a saftey margin, they should be fairly easy to produce but would you need the second set of holes or could you bolt through to axle? May need longer bolts.
I did get to see my tractor late today and the chains presently have adequate clearance. They are of the type described by FRED.G. with a modified link on the inside. Still plan to put spacers on it anyway.
Brian

ronjhall · Dec 7, 2001

Brian
Every tire size and type will need a different thickness spacer. I need at least 1". Using longer bolts will work. The axle on 27-2910's have a set of studs like the spacer I have. Thickness of the spacer has to clear these studs. 5/8" spacer may be the thickest you could put on and still have some stud left to fasten wheel with stud.

Timd · Dec 11, 2001

Re: Wheel Weights 27-2910

Brian -

If you have a machine shop and things are slow here's a
product a lot of us would buy if you did a short production
run...

http://www.mgsweb.com/tractor/hacker/wweight.htm

These were on a 2400 so would need to be resized for 2710/
2910. If you were to set up the plate mount so that the
threaded rod could be screwed into a welded-on nut and
loctite'd they'd even be UPSable...

Timd

Timd · Dec 11, 2001

Rick -

I have a couple of suggestions about the front tires slipping.
You might be able to get the front tires siped by a local tire
shop. This is really effective on ice. Something else I'm
surprised nobody has brought up in any of the tire chain
threads is cable chains. Here's a link to one place that
has them...http://www.vulcantire.com/chainfind.htm

Looks like they have cable chains for 12.4-16, which would
solve the rear clearance problem. I can't remember what the
front tire size is on 2710/2910 but somebody might make them
that small. I use Z-chains on my Jeep for snowplowing and
they completely solve the sideslip problem on my steep icy
driveway.

Timd

Bayrat · Dec 11, 2001

Ron,

I need to install chains on my 2910 as well. Are you saying I need spacers? I am running R-4's on it. I am going to have to install them soon I am sure, so this is good to know. Thanks

Bayrat at the lighthouse

Rick Jay · Dec 11, 2001

Hi,

I just put 2-link ladder chains on the rear R4's of my B2910 and there wasn't a clearance problem. I got them from tirechains.com. I also put their "heavy duty" spring tensioners on them to help keep them in place.

All I need now is some serious snow to test them out.

~Rick Jay

RAllen · Dec 12, 2001

Bayrat

I have a 2910 with R-4s and diamond pattern heavy duty chains. After MUCH fitting and adjusting, my chains in the rear hit only once and awhile. There is a bolt head that attaches the rear fender that is the main culprit but there is almost no room for error. Spacers would make things much easier and would give a little more stability, no a bad thing.

On the front, I am not sure even cable chains would work as the steering arm is so close to the tire. I have used sipping on my cars (4x4s) and it does work. Not sure if it would be worth the effort on tractor tires since I could get the tires studded for the same effort- I have no pavement to worry about.

Rick

Bayrat · Dec 12, 2001

I have new ladder chains that I bought for my tc29 that I am going to re-size for the Kubota. Hopefully they will work, if not I guess I will try to find the spacers around here.

Bayrat at the lighthouse