DK45 Widen the stance ?

[ovrszd]

Stability arguments aside, moving the tire contact patch outboard increases the forces on the axle and bearings.

Definitely. I think that's why my M9540 manual says to not move the fronts wider than shown in my photo. I'm not saying the OP will suffer mechanical failure of any kind. Just saying it's not recommended my the manufacturer in my case. Not sure what his owners manual says about that??

 

[MotorSeven]

Yeah, my pea brain gets taxed quickly too....all I know is I have almost tested my DK40's flip "envelope" several times and it is not a calming experience:laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, my pea brain gets taxed quickly too....all I know is I have almost tested my DK40's flip "envelope" several times and it is not a calming experience:laughing:

If you've never been on 3 wheels you ain't using your tractor!!!!

 

[CobyRupert]

On 3 wheels, the luxury! Last year I'd grab 3 or 4 24' logs with bucket forks and have to go through a ditch at an angle, this would max out the pivot on the front axle and it would teeter on two wheels at opposite corners. Thank god for 4 wd and posi-lock. That was a first, usually when on 2 wheels it's when standing it on the rears, or on the fronts when overloading the FEL.

 

[CobyRupert]

Stability arguments aside, moving the tire contact patch outboard increases the forces on the axle and bearings.

I hear that often, but have been thinking about that lately. If the axle width stays the same, changing the configuration of the rim changes nothing regarding the axle span, and it's load capabilities.

I also say that reversing the curve of the rim also does nothing regarding the torque put on the bearings, all it does is change the direction of that torque from clockwise to counter-clockwise (and vise-versa on the other side).

The ONLY thing that increases the torque on the bearings (and center rim hub) is when you increase the offset of the center rim hub on the outer rim (if you have the adjustable type that aren't welded at this connection)

I'm interested to see if people agree.

 

[ovrszd]

I hear that often, but have been thinking about that lately. If the axle width stays the same, changing the configuration of the rim changes nothing regarding the axle span, and it's load capabilities.

I also say that reversing the curve of the rim also does nothing regarding the torque put on the bearings, all it does is change the direction of that torque from clockwise to counter-clockwise (and vise-versa on the other side).

The ONLY thing that increases the torque on the bearings (and center rim hub) is when you increase the offset of the center rim hub on the outer rim (if you have the adjustable type that aren't welded at this connection)

I'm interested to see if people agree.

Sorry, can't agree.

What we are talking about here concerning changing rim settings is moving the center of the tire's contact patch on the ground. Isn't that correct???

If you agree that's correct, then it's only logical that the farther outward you set the contact patch from the centerline of the hub assembly, the more torque or leverage you are applying to the bearing assembly.

Look at these two photos and tell me which one is applying the most leverage to the axle bearing assembly and why????

 

[4bama1]

Mine is the same width on the rim as yours as far how I swapped sides,but my rims are welded on the front so I could not make the change in the same way.
I do like the wider stance and it still feels more stable after using it a bit more.

Sorry, can't agree.

What we are talking about here concerning changing rim settings is moving the center of the tire's contact patch on the ground. Isn't that correct???

If you agree that's correct, then it's only logical that the farther outward you set the contact patch from the centerline of the hub assembly, the more torque or leverage you are applying to the bearing assembly.

Look at these two photos and tell me which one is applying the most leverage to the axle bearing assembly and why????

 

[ovrszd]

Mine is the same width on the rim as yours as far how I swapped sides,but my rims are welded on the front so I could not make the change in the same way.
I do like the wider stance and it still feels more stable after using it a bit more.

In regards to the discussion about the stresses on the front axle assembly. What you should be concerned about is where the contact patch of the front tire is in regards to the bearing assembly. Yours and mine are not similar at all. Hopefully I'm smart (lucky) enough to copy/paste your photo to compare to mine. Here we go.


Your tractor with the front wheels/tires reversed.







My tractor as it sets.





Again,,, which setup is applying the most torque/leverage to the front axle bearing assembly???

In regards to stability. I've tried to explain the geometry of that already so won't go thru it again. What I truly believe is this. If you feel better about the stability of your tractor with it set like this, then that's how you should run it.

 

[4bama1]

I see the difference in that picture,in the earlier picture it looked like the offset of the rim was basically the same.

 

[ovrszd]

I see the difference in that picture,in the earlier picture it looked like the offset of the rim was basically the same.

So in regards to axle bearing stress, can you see what we are talking about??

Lastly, are your rear wheels adjustable?? If so move them out a setting and you'll see a tremendous difference in stability. By looking at my pictures you can see that I run my rears wider than my fronts. Actually the inside of my fronts and rears are the same width apart. The extra width of my rear tires is running outside the outer width of my fronts.