Trying to decide on wheel spacers width

number9L · May 17, 2013

Kubota L3800, 66" QA bucket, R4 tires. 60" RC and 72" FM

I want to get wheel spacers to make the tractor more stable for mowing along slopes. Choices I see (that aren't too expensive) are 2", 2.5" and 3" spacers for each side.

From what I've read my tractor should be right at 60" wide at the rear tires (58-59 I've read). With the bucket being 66", I am leaning to going with 3" spacers putting the rear around 66" wide as well.

Would 3" (6" total on the rear) be too wide and hard on the axle? Would it be better to have the rear tires a little narrower than the bucket? Should I go with smaller spacers, say 2.5" or even drop down to the 2"?

I am thinking I'd like to go with the 3" and make it as wide as I can but don't want to hurt the tractor and maybe there are disadvantages that I dont know about with going that wide?

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MotorsportTech · May 17, 2013

Hey,
We have built a few 3" for the L3800. The way we build them it becomes an extension of the hub and centers the wheel to bare the load, so it won't effect the axle. Customers have told us the increased wheel base is noticeably more stable. We haven't heard from any customers that have had negative effects on their tractors.

Anybody else on here have 3" spacers and want to share your experience? We're here to learn as well!

kentuckydiesel · May 18, 2013

Wider wheel spacing does put a little more load on the wheel bearings, but as I always say, wheel bearings are WEAR PARTS. That is, they are made to be changed out if they become worn.

Now, what is more important to you...Preventing major tractor damage and potential loss of life associated with a roll-over, or getting another year or two out of wheel bearings that will likely last 30-40years anyway?

The choice is obvious to me...so my tractor measures 8'2" wide to the outside of the tires(though you wouldn't need to go so wide on a smaller tractor like an l3800)...center-to-center measurement is equal with the wheelbase.

-Phillip

kentuckydiesel · May 18, 2013

Also, my bucket is 7'3" wide (I built it before I widened the tractor) and I don't have much problem doing anything...and I do a lot of everything with it.

-Phillip

number9L · May 18, 2013

MotorsportTech said:
Hey,
We have built a few 3" for the L3800. The way we build them it becomes an extension of the hub and centers the wheel to bare the load, so it won't effect the axle. Customers have told us the increased wheel base is noticeably more stable. We haven't heard from any customers that have had negative effects on their tractors.

Anybody else on here have 3" spacers and want to share your experience? We're here to learn as well!

If I order 2.5" or 3" spacers from you, what are your lead times? Do you make them as ordered or have some on the shelf ready to ship?

Do you offer any member discounts?

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Wolfy · May 19, 2013

Another option would be cast iron wheel weights. They don't add much to the width.

number9L · May 20, 2013

Called and placed an order today with Motosports for 3" spacers. Should have them in about 2 weeks hopefully. I'll post pics and thoughts when I get them.

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vtsnowedin · May 20, 2013

Here is JD 4.1 inch factory spacers. The tires are set to the widest position eight and loaded with "RimGuard". Very stable for steep ground or loader work and the only thing I have to offer as a caution is that at that width I'm not well set up to pull a two bottom plow and have the right rear fall in the dead furrow.

MotorsportTech · May 23, 2013

number9L said:
Called and placed an order today with Motosports for 3" spacers. Should have them in about 2 weeks hopefully. I'll post pics and thoughts when I get them.

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Glad you called in! I'm only here Thursday and Friday on the forums, but the shop is open Monday through Friday 8-5 Pacific time. We know you'll love them!

rbtjr · May 30, 2013

I have a Kubota L3800 we bought new last fall. It's identical or close to identical to yours--R4 tires, 60" width, we got a 62" FEL 4-in-1 loader, etc. Its predecessor was a M5400 on which we had the rear wheels spread out as far as they would go. The L3800 felt unstable to me, compared to the M5400. I researched rear wheel spacers and decided to put a 4" spacer on each rear wheel. I asked my Kubota dealer to ask around in his shop to see if anyone had the opinion that 4" spacers would cause damage to the axles. No one voiced such an opinion, so I went with them. I am glad I did. If I had it to do over, I might consider even wider spacers. There is a definite improvement in stability, although the L3800 is still not as stable as the M5400 (or at least doesn't feel as stable). The rear tires are filled with fluid, so that also helps. I bought our spacers from this source and was very pleased with everything about doing business with him: Christian S. Hansen, The Tracks Company, Kubota John Deere Compact Tractor Utility Vehicle Wheel Spacers, (510) 601-7550, christianhan@earthlink.net.

MotorsportTech · May 30, 2013

Interesting, how wide would you go with your L3800? Do you use it on a lot of hills?

rbtjr · May 31, 2013

MotorsportTech said:
Interesting, how wide would you go with your L3800? Do you use it on a lot of hills?

I would probably go with a 6" spacer on each side. I would have preferred to get it as wide as I could without causing problems. One limitation is that I want the rear wheels to fit inside the fenders on my 18' trailer. I have probably 3" to spare inside each fender with the 4" spacers. the 4" spacers definitely make a noticeable difference in stability. Most of the terrain I use the tractor on does not have much of a slope. However, we do have quite a few hills and other slopes, and I use the tractor on some of them. And we have some hills and slopes that I would not use the tractor on driving across the slope regardless of what spacers I had on the tractor.

number9L · May 31, 2013

Quit talking about 4" spacers!! Everyone else I read had went with 2" or 2-1/2" spacers and I felt like I was doing good going with the 3".......now you got me thinking I should have went wider!!! :laughing:

Only kidding, I didn't want the rear tires wider than the 66" bucket anyway so I think I should be good with the 3" spacers.

Can't wait until they get here, I'm looking forward to putting them on and seeing/feeling the result.

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MotorsportTech · May 31, 2013

Do you find you have problems with a belly mower or any other attachments with wide spacers? I've heard that some smaller tractors may have issues, but nothing too major.

paulwestski · May 31, 2013

I asked my local dealer about spacing out the rears only on a MX5100 and he said it would mess up the tracking with the front end on turns.

Gem99ultra · May 31, 2013

Fyi, I have a L3400 with R4's. Rear track is 62" outside to outside with 2" spacers. And yes, the 2" spacers is much improvement. The 3"ers that you've ordered should be the cat's meow, if something doesn't break.

On the other hand, here in Georgia everything is either uphill or downhill

Zebrafive · Jun 9, 2013

I think I would order spacers to give the width I wanted with the wheels set narrow. Then if I wanted to go wider I could swap the wheels to the wide position. I am not sure how much that is for your tractor, narrow setting vs. wide setting.

Gem99ultra · Jun 9, 2013

number9L said:
Quit talking about 4" spacers!! Everyone else I read had went with 2" or 2-1/2" spacers and I felt like I was doing good going with the 3".......now you got me thinking I should have went wider!!! :laughing:

Only kidding, I didn't want the rear tires wider than the 66" bucket anyway so I think I should be good with the 3" spacers.

Can't wait until they get here, I'm looking forward to putting them on and seeing/feeling the result.

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Does anyone have any info on exactly how wide it's safe to go? I'd love to go wide enough to mow sideway on a 25 degree slope. But I'm not into tipping over, nor am I into breaking an axle.

Any info?

number9L · Jun 9, 2013

Zebrafive said:
I think I would order spacers to give the width I wanted with the wheels set narrow. Then if I wanted to go wider I could swap the wheels to the wide position. I am not sure how much that is for your tractor, narrow setting vs. wide setting.

I have the R4 tires so my wheels aren't adjustable like AG tire wheels. Spacers are my only adjustment means.

Still don't have the spacers yet. Called the other day to get status and the guy told me he'd try and get them out Friday, but I don't have a tracking # so guess that didn't happen. Hopefully I'll get them in time to put them on this weekend.

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