Unvenferth Spacers on a JD3730?

Dan Hunter · Mar 12, 2012

I contacted Unvenferth to get a part number for the 4" wheel extensions Dirtworksequip had on this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-unverferth-wheel-extensions-sale-feeler.html and got this reply:

We offer 6 extensions for front of JD 3720 (Part No. 16039B) for $320.00 Suggested Retail Each. We also have 6 extensions for rear of JD 3720 (Part No. 16029B) for $328.00 Suggested Retail Each. If you need 4 extensions, we can custom build Part No. EXT-SM for $542.00 Suggested Retail each.

Well, geez, an $888 bump for 4 parts that are 2" shorter is a rather proud pricing structure. Am I missing something? I'd really like a set of these http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/dirtworksequip/unverferth wheel extensions/P1010654.jpg

AKfish · Mar 13, 2012

Dan Hunter said:
I contacted Unvenferth to get a part number for the 4" wheel extensions Dirtworksequip had on this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-unverferth-wheel-extensions-sale-feeler.html and got this reply:

We offer 6 extensions for front of JD 3720 (Part No. 16039B) for $320.00 Suggested Retail Each. We also have 6 extensions for rear of JD 3720 (Part No. 16029B) for $328.00 Suggested Retail Each. If you need 4 extensions, we can custom build Part No. EXT-SM for $542.00 Suggested Retail each.

Well, geez, an $888 bump for 4 parts that are 2" shorter is a rather proud pricing structure. Am I missing something? I'd really like a set of these http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/dirtworksequip/unverferth wheel extensions/P1010654.jpg

Nope... Dan you're not missing anything! They are very proud of their wheel extensions! That's why many of us (myself included) opted for skid steer wheel extensions. Half the cost.

There are a number of threads here on TBN regarding this subject. Easy search - lot's of reading; with info for purchases if desired.

AKfish

greg_g · Mar 13, 2012

It it helps, I just ordered a pair of 4" machined aluminum spacers from Moto-Sport. Lighter, and no rust potential. Imagine this one with threaded holes instead of bolts. That way I can use the OE John Deere lug bolts. Including 16 mounting bolts, I was billed $535 (delivered).

$%28KGrHqFHJ%21sE8e-MHVBbBPKCJPvIc%21%7E%7E60_3.JPG

Hopefully they're in the mail. If so, I can snap a photo before they're installed.

//greg//

Dan Hunter · Mar 13, 2012

Greg g,

Helps? I'm sending you a Christmas card and I'll include a nice smoked salmon fillet if you give me a part number.

greg_g · Mar 13, 2012

Dan Hunter said:
Greg g,

Helps? I'm sending you a Christmas card and I'll include a nice smoked salmon fillet if you give me a part number.

Excellent, I got spoiled on smoked salmon (and single malt) when I lived in Scotland. Send me your email address via the site PM system, and we can continue this offline.

//greg//

greg_g · Mar 30, 2012

Here's the follow-up. It's absolutely amazing the difference 8 inches can make to the stability of this little cab tractor. At the max R4 width of <60" I considered it dangerous. But I took the new wide stance back out to some of those locations on my property that put me up on 3 wheels before, and it's absolutely stable. No pucker factor whatsoever. $505 plus $30 delivery might sound like a lot of money, but for me it's a cheap price to put on peace of mind.

I added the 4th photo - another "before" view - to demonstrate the basic problem. Tractor - as built by John Deere - is roughtly 50% taller than its design R4 operating width. High center of gravity issue. From my perspective, widening the stance lowered the center of gravity.

///greg//

beenthere · Mar 30, 2012

Nice!!
Does look to sit well with the spacers. And now you can likely see when a wheel is spinning. I grew up on tractors with no fenders, and have missed seeing which wheel is spinning due to them being tucked under the fenders.

Do you have a link to a site that you ordered the spacers?

Is it spelled Unverferth?

hanson1999 · Mar 30, 2012

I got spacers off of ebay. I did 4 inches like greg, and like he said, it is now a whole new tractor.

Just go on ebay and type in skid steer spacer. they come in a set of four. 2 inches each. put two on each side and away you go for 320-350 dollars delivered to your door.

Mine came red but sandblasted and painted them black before installing. was easy to do red would look dumb.

and beenthere, i agree, it is nice to see if a wheel is spinning which i can now. i have 3720 cab as well.

greg_g · Mar 30, 2012

beenthere said:
Do you have a link to a site that you ordered the spacers?

Don't know anything about Unvenferth, except that they're expensive. Mine are machined by an outfit that started out making spacers for cars/trucks/ATVs/UTVs. They recently expanded the line to include some compact tractors. You can see their stuff here. Type John Deere into the search box to narrow the selection. I contacted the head machinist by phone to arrange for mine to have lug bolt holes instead of spacer studs. The $505 price included 16 tapered lug bolts to attach the spacer to the tractor hub. I then used the OE lug bolts to fasten the wheel to the spacer

//greg//

B58Hustler · Mar 31, 2012

greg_g said:
Here's the follow-up. It's absolutely amazing the difference 8 inches can make to the stability of this little cab tractor. At the max R4 width of <60" I considered it dangerous. But I took the new wide stance back out to some of those locations on my property that put me up on 3 wheels before, and it's absolutely stable. No pucker factor whatsoever. $505 plus $30 delivery might sound like a lot of money, but for me it's a cheap price to put on peace of mind.

I added the 4th photo - another "before" view - to demonstrate the basic problem. Tractor - as built by John Deere - is roughtly 50% taller than its design R4 operating width. High center of gravity issue. From my perspective, widening the stance lowered the center of gravity.

///greg//

Greg, looks great and a lot safer.

My question for you is about the thread pitch IN the spacer for the stock JD hub bolts ...and the pitch of the threads of the Bolts they gave you to mount the spacer to tractor hub flange.

For my 3320 the part number for the hub bolts (M131856) indicates a metric pitch of 1.5mm. All other bolt dimensions are also metric. Did you have to order mm harware as well?

greg_g · Mar 31, 2012

16 tapered lug bolts with the correct thread were included in the purchase price of the spacers. See my photographs. The unthreaded holes in the spacer had the correct taper machined in as well. I used the provided tapered lug bolts to fasten the spacers to the hubs, then used the OE tapered lug bolts to fasten the rim to the spacer. Note also in the photo that the spacer has the correct lip for rim. Not visible is the fact that the back side of the spacer as a machined recess into which the tractor hub fits (similar to the way it fits through the rim).

And yes, it's definitely safer. If my numbers are correct, 8" of additional width lowered the center of gravity by >13%. Originally it was 1.5 times taller than it was wide. Now it's only 1.3 times taller than it is wide. I make that out to be a 13.33% reduction.

//greg//

charleyfarmall · Apr 1, 2012

I bought mine off eBay also for $320 delivered. Mine are red and I left them that way. The added 8" makes all the difference. Search the forum, there are several threads on wheel spacers.

sixdogs · Apr 1, 2012

When spacers are used on cars, it is common practice to use Loc-tite on the bolts as they tend to loosen over time. Not sure if it applies to tractors or not but worth the mention.
Years back I solved a similar problem on much bigger 18.4 x 34 wheels by having Unverferth take a new set of New Holland wheel centers, cut the bolt pattern out and weld in a piece of 1/2" steel with the bolt pattern to fit my M8950 Kubota. They did an absolutely perfect job and the new centers allowed me to alter the wheel spacing to what I wanted.

Dan Hunter · Apr 2, 2012

Greg,

Thanks for the photos. I showed those to my wife and her response was, "Oh, well that makes sense. I can see why that's worth $1000."

Yea, yea, you...and transitively me as well. I'll place the order tomorrow.

bobsphotos · Apr 3, 2012

I own a 3320 and am very interested in buying spacers and cutting down on the Pucker. Has anyone thought about whether the extra length away form the hubs, causes any mechanical ( leverage ) issues for the rear end?

greg_g · Apr 3, 2012

bobsphotos said:
I own a 3320 and am very interested in buying spacers and cutting down on the Pucker. Has anyone thought about whether the extra length away form the hubs, causes any mechanical ( leverage ) issues for the rear end?

Check your owners manual, pretty sure the applicable spec is close to - if not identical - to mine. It says that ballasted R1s can be set out to a 68.4" width. The 4" spacers I just installed extend my ballasted R4s out to a 67.7" width. In my book, that's well within JD specs. That said, I wouldn't be as confident with spacers in excess of 4" per side.

//greg//

beenthere · Apr 3, 2012

Just ordered 2 1/2" spacers from Motorsport_tech for my JD 4300.
$300 including shipping.

B58Hustler · Apr 3, 2012

beenthere said:
Just ordered 2 1/2" spacers from Motorsport_tech for my JD 4300.
$300 including shipping.

Beenthere, I too ordered spacers from these guys today at 2:30 PM est. They are 3 inchers for the 3320 OS. Also checked with the JD dealer to see if they stock Deere hub bolts (M131856 about $1.75 ea.) just in case, some I remove, have nicked threads. Don't want to chew-up the new, crispy, aluminum internal threads.

Also I have to give Kentucky Greg a big thank you for finding these guys and posting the results.

Probably should be starting a new thread where Motorsport Tech is the subject.

ctlguy · Apr 3, 2012

Dan Hunter said:
I contacted Unvenferth to get a part number for the 4" wheel extensions Dirtworksequip had on this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-unverferth-wheel-extensions-sale-feeler.html and got this reply:

We offer 6 extensions for front of JD 3720 (Part No. 16039B) for $320.00 Suggested Retail Each. We also have 6 extensions for rear of JD 3720 (Part No. 16029B) for $328.00 Suggested Retail Each. If you need 4 extensions, we can custom build Part No. EXT-SM for $542.00 Suggested Retail each.

Well, geez, an $888 bump for 4 parts that are 2" shorter is a rather proud pricing structure. Am I missing something? I'd really like a set of these http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/dirtworksequip/unverferth wheel extensions/P1010654.jpg

Can't realy blame Unverferth for having a premium price on their products. They are hands down a fantastic product, built well, heavy, and they will manufacture any wheel product your heart desires. But for the most part much larger equipment is their mainstay and I would imagine margins are based on that. I would not doubt that the material and craftsmanship that goes into thier wheel products is better than the others. This probably does not matter as much on a compact as a row crop or heavier machine where the build quality has to stand up to the most extreme abuse.