AxleHub
Elite Member
Greetings,
Sometimes we as owners can get caught up in brand choices when it comes to SCUT equipment. When that happens we can forget how similar SCUT products are that have been manufactured in the last few years. Some of the biggest similarities are the purposes or motivations for owning a SCUT. Maybe its lawn care, landscaping, wood hauling, even a little tilling or gardening. Now lets not confuse my words when I say "little".
My SCUT (Massey GC1715) - just like many other brands and models does real work and often does it in rather tricky spots and conditions. Those who own various sized Compact and Utility tractors aren't doing "more important work" but they are doing different sized of work and typically in bigger or more open spaces than many of us do with SCUT equipment.
For quite a period of time - I've had Rear Wheel Spacers on my list of items to add - and I think its about time after 2 years - that I do it. Now my thought is that wheel spacers are a bigger issue (more significant) for a SCUT owner than is true for a compact tractor owner because 2 inches of spacing for a SCUT wheel stance is a bigger percentage than it is for a compact or larger tractor.
And 2 years ago - Bro Tek was going to be my choice - but I find two years later that there are now more vendor choices available. So I'm looking for opinions on a couple topics directly related to Wheel Spacers:
1. I've always planned on getting Rear Spacers to be used with my loaded rears because I have considerable sidehill and slope angles. My thought on rear spacers only was based on cost - as well as I figured on a SCUT you get the most benefit for your money on the rears. But recently I've discovered with more vendor choices - that my budget might support the idea of adding front wheel spacers as a consideration. (1.75 on the rears and 1.25 on the fronts).
A. Is there any disadvantages or problems created by adding wheel spacers on the front wheels of a SCUT ?
B. Is there enough improvement in adding spacers to the fronts to justify the addition (in other words - do spacers on the front benefit proportionally to having them on the rear) ?
2. Obviously the quality of workmanship and the quality/strength of materials used is important in choosing spacers due to the stress levels they deal with. in larger tractors steel is potentially used but in SCUT sizes - it appears its always a polished billet Aluminum. Bolts of particular grade and hub fits also seem often mentioned; but is there a minimum desirability standard to require ?
3. I assume wheel spacers not only benefit SCUT use on hills and sidehills - but also offer a better footprint on icy or snow covered conditions or when having the FEL elevated or on ground that might be a bit "soft" or prone to chuck holes or unexpected dips. Are there any reasons (other than clearance between trees or gardens) why spacers on a SCUT would be a negative to longevity or operation ?
I think regardless of brand, color, or model size in the SCUT category - we deserve to get the most use of our equipment and its size and capacity - that we can muster, and it seems that for many - spacers certainly can make a considerable impact to comfort and safety for our size equipment.
I look forward to hearing other opinions and viewpoints - agree and disagree.
AxleHub
Sometimes we as owners can get caught up in brand choices when it comes to SCUT equipment. When that happens we can forget how similar SCUT products are that have been manufactured in the last few years. Some of the biggest similarities are the purposes or motivations for owning a SCUT. Maybe its lawn care, landscaping, wood hauling, even a little tilling or gardening. Now lets not confuse my words when I say "little".
My SCUT (Massey GC1715) - just like many other brands and models does real work and often does it in rather tricky spots and conditions. Those who own various sized Compact and Utility tractors aren't doing "more important work" but they are doing different sized of work and typically in bigger or more open spaces than many of us do with SCUT equipment.
For quite a period of time - I've had Rear Wheel Spacers on my list of items to add - and I think its about time after 2 years - that I do it. Now my thought is that wheel spacers are a bigger issue (more significant) for a SCUT owner than is true for a compact tractor owner because 2 inches of spacing for a SCUT wheel stance is a bigger percentage than it is for a compact or larger tractor.
And 2 years ago - Bro Tek was going to be my choice - but I find two years later that there are now more vendor choices available. So I'm looking for opinions on a couple topics directly related to Wheel Spacers:
1. I've always planned on getting Rear Spacers to be used with my loaded rears because I have considerable sidehill and slope angles. My thought on rear spacers only was based on cost - as well as I figured on a SCUT you get the most benefit for your money on the rears. But recently I've discovered with more vendor choices - that my budget might support the idea of adding front wheel spacers as a consideration. (1.75 on the rears and 1.25 on the fronts).
A. Is there any disadvantages or problems created by adding wheel spacers on the front wheels of a SCUT ?
B. Is there enough improvement in adding spacers to the fronts to justify the addition (in other words - do spacers on the front benefit proportionally to having them on the rear) ?
2. Obviously the quality of workmanship and the quality/strength of materials used is important in choosing spacers due to the stress levels they deal with. in larger tractors steel is potentially used but in SCUT sizes - it appears its always a polished billet Aluminum. Bolts of particular grade and hub fits also seem often mentioned; but is there a minimum desirability standard to require ?
3. I assume wheel spacers not only benefit SCUT use on hills and sidehills - but also offer a better footprint on icy or snow covered conditions or when having the FEL elevated or on ground that might be a bit "soft" or prone to chuck holes or unexpected dips. Are there any reasons (other than clearance between trees or gardens) why spacers on a SCUT would be a negative to longevity or operation ?
I think regardless of brand, color, or model size in the SCUT category - we deserve to get the most use of our equipment and its size and capacity - that we can muster, and it seems that for many - spacers certainly can make a considerable impact to comfort and safety for our size equipment.
I look forward to hearing other opinions and viewpoints - agree and disagree.
AxleHub
