Tires M7060 & rear wheel offsets

[oosik]

No, I'm sure cast iron centers have their place. When I bought my tractor the salesman showed me that it was set in the next to widest position. He asked if I wanted at the widest position. I said no - this would be adequate. Currently my tires are 80" - outside to outside. The widest would be around 84" outside to outside. I asked about cast iron centers. He said they installed RimGuard rather than fooling around with cast centers. I could get 1500# of RimGuard for less than 640# of wheel weights( 320# per wheel is what Kubota recommends for wheel weights).

 

[Tx Jim]

Without a dog in this fight, I think that a very long and complete case has been made for never buying cast iron centers. Ordinary steel wheels have none of these oddball problems and restrictions. Fill the rear tires with liquid, use plain steel wheels, and forget all this. Isn't Kubota about the only one with this crazy circumstance? I do not recall New Holland, Deere or Massey having cast iron centers for weight (?)

Oh by the way, this is one more nail in the Kubota coffin illustrating that the Japanese, Kubota in particular, simply do not understand that people who operate on steep ground need to spread the wheels wider than Kubota allows. Worse on their smaller machines than this M9040 example.

I can guarantee you that older JD tractors from the 2 cyl models to much later models utilizes cast rear centers for extra weight. I know for sure my '45 JD BO & '91 JD 4255 have cast rear wheel centers for extra weight. I seriously doubt this little wheel tread adjustment snafu will put many ""nails in Kubota's coffin"". You can bet JD engineers are looking over their shoulders thinking Kubota is coming after them & they're correct.

 

[ovrszd]

Without a dog in this fight, I think that a very long and complete case has been made for never buying cast iron centers. Ordinary steel wheels have none of these oddball problems and restrictions. Fill the rear tires with liquid, use plain steel wheels, and forget all this. Isn't Kubota about the only one with this crazy circumstance? I do not recall New Holland, Deere or Massey having cast iron centers for weight (?)

Oh by the way, this is one more nail in the Kubota coffin illustrating that the Japanese, Kubota in particular, simply do not understand that people who operate on steep ground need to spread the wheels wider than Kubota allows. Worse on their smaller machines than this M9040 example.

The overszd manual page above agrees exactly with what I found on the dealer lots (using tape measures and calculations) when shopping for a tractor last round. The M9540 widest stance is 75.6" Add the tire width using 18" tires and you get ~ 84 inch best case width between outside edges. I run my MF2660 wheels such that the outside edges of the tires are 96" apart all the time, which I find nearly ideal. There is about another 12" spread available on the Massey with various wheel configurations that I have not used because of trailering limitations, etc. But the flexibility is there.

First, let's clarify, this isn't a fight. It's a discussion. With the goal being for each of us to learn.

Cast centers are a very worthy option. They add considerable weight at the rear tire. It's added in what the Automotive world calls "Unsprung Weight". Meaning it exerts no negative force on the tractor, axle bearings, etc. Same with cast weights or fluid in the tire.

All Manufacturers of tractors bigger than CUTs offer Cast Iron Centers. Some Grey Market tractors only offer Cast Centers.

There's no Kubota Coffin being "nailed" together anywhere in the World. They continue to expand their product line and are into AG Class tractors now with the largest being 175HP.

I'm pretty sure my owner's manual makes no consideration for Cast Centers versus Stamped Steel. So I don't pay much attention to the measurements listed. I only listed my manual page for reference as to mounting positions.

I'll attach another pic. You'll hafta trust me that the tape measure end is even with the outside of the opposite tire. This is with 18.4x30 tires. If I move the rim tabs to the outside of the Cast Centers I gain another 4".

Ooppss, forgot the pic.....

 

[ovrszd]

No, I'm sure cast iron centers have their place. When I bought my tractor the salesman showed me that it was set in the next to widest position. He asked if I wanted at the widest position. I said no - this would be adequate. Currently my tires are 80" - outside to outside. The widest would be around 84" outside to outside. I asked about cast iron centers. He said they installed RimGuard rather than fooling around with cast centers. I could get 1500# of RimGuard for less than 640# of wheel weights( 320# per wheel is what Kubota recommends for wheel weights).

I don't remember what I gained with Cast Centers in regards to weight. I also filled my tires and added one cast wheel weight per side. I do a LOT of heavy FEL work.

 

[ovrszd]

I can guarantee you that older JD tractors from the 2 cyl models to much later models utilizes cast rear centers for extra weight. I know for sure my '45 JD BO & '91 JD 4255 have cast rear wheel centers for extra weight. I seriously doubt this little wheel tread adjustment snafu will put many ""nails in Kubota's coffin"". You can bet JD engineers are looking over their shoulders thinking Kubota is coming after them & they're correct.

I'm in Cattle country. I have a JD dealer 10 miles away. I have a Kubota dealer 35 miles away. Since Kubota stepped up into the AG size I continually see more Orange here. Some Cattle rancher were already using the M9540s. The 125HP AG class handles a big baler better. My Son just bought an M7060 versus a 5 series JD. Got a lot more tractor for similar money. The 6 series JD was completely out of the price range.

 

[sixdogs]

I don't remember what I gained with Cast Centers in regards to weight. I also filled my tires and added one cast wheel weight per side. I do a LOT of heavy FEL work.

In my notes I have written "cast rear difference over steel wheels= 575 lbs".

I have two M7040's and both have cast rear centers. For removable and adjustable weight, they are the best. One tractor has two rear weights on each side with the tires at their narrowest setting. One of those weights sticks out beyond the wheel so this is the narrowest rear wheel setting. I think it's 60" center to center. Rear pic below. There's also a pic with no weights on.

 

[TexasBoy]

To add more fodder for discussion is that Kubota does offer a spacer kit for this tractor. But it is very, very expensive. Mounts directly on the axle flange. Wish I knew the part number, Im curious what it adds when installed.

 

[ovrszd]

I've heard that but like you have not investigated it.

 

[JWR]

First, let's clarify, this isn't a fight. It's a discussion. With the goal being for each of us to learn. ...


There's no Kubota Coffin being "nailed" together anywhere in the World. They continue to expand their product line and are into AG Class tractors now with the largest being 175HP. ...

Calm yourselves fellas. Maybe mine was a poor choice of words, failing to be clear enough in exactly what I was talking about, but I clarify them here.

The "fight in which I have no dog" was a figure of speech relating to a lengthy discussion, heated at times, regarding rear wheel configurations on larger Kubotas. "I have no dog in the fight" because I do not own that size Kubota. Pretty routine and common figure of speech which does not usually refer to a confrontation.

The coffin being nailed, is nailed and really over with (until Kubota shows a change of product policy) and has to do with their failing to provide wider rear wheel separation selections, especially on the smaller tractors. That topic and that topic only. Even on the larger tractors they do not offer the width selections of their competition like Massey, Deere and New Holland. That is why spacers are so popular among Kubota owners in hilly areas, not only from multiple suppliers but also offered by Kubota dealers.

Anyone who interpreted the 'coffin' words, thinking that I meant some larger, greater, dire prediction about Kubota demise is in error. I never said that, never meant it and my intent is now clarified.

 

[oosik]

No - I don't think anybody has their shorts in a twist. The one thing that is quite obvious. Just within the Kubota lineup - there are many ways to alter the rear wheel width. Likewise, many ways to add weight. It's very obvious - different models use different methods. As time goes forward - certain options are dropped - new ones added.

I found, to my dismay, the Op Manual I received with my new 2009 Kubota was last revised in 2004. So it was already five years out of date. My M6040 is turbo charged. NOWHERE in my Op Manual does it even use the words - turbo charged. One of these day, when I'm in Spokane, I'll stop by the dealer and see if they have the correct Op Manual.

 

[TexasBoy]

No - I don't think anybody has their shorts in a twist.

Agreed, no twists here. Im happy with the spacing I have for now and if I ever get a flat I and have to pull a tire off, I may add more spacing at that time.

Until then ole Texasboy is a happy camper, I got A/C and a radio ! :cool2:

 

[oosik]

When I bought the tractor, new in 2009, the dealer asked if I wanted the wheels moved out to the widest setting. They are at one "notch" less than full width. This would have made outside to outside go from 80" to 84". If the 4" would have made that much difference - I'd be long dead.

No - the 1500# of RimGuard in the rear tires makes a whole lot more difference than the extra 4" of width. There is one place on my property where I always try to go up/down the slope - not horizontally. Horizontal can scare the snot out of me. It's probably still a ways before things would get dangerous. My fear factor takes over long before the tractor would tip.

1972 - I flew from my home in Anchorage to Houston International. I had alway heard about the heat and humidity in Texas. Never, in all my life, would I have believed a place could be so dam hot and humid - all at the same time. I can see why a cab & a GOOD AC unit would be important in that part of the country.

Right now - as I type here on the computer - it's 94F outside. The humidity is only 16%. Dry as popcorn.

 

[Thunder chicken]

As I explained earlier in this thread, with the raised boss on one side of the tabs limits the options you can do. This is the point many are missing. As the tractor sits now, we did indeed take the left tire and move it to the right and the right to the left. And doing so gained us what appears to be a bit over 2" on each side. But that raised area on the one side of the tab limits how many options you get without taking the tire off the rim and moving it the other direction. That raised area cannot be put against the wheel center.

Hi Tex et el
sorry to drag up an old thread but it was one i found while searching on how to widen my tires and i want to share what I learned.
I have cast centers. I was seeking to have the width Herky has....
it would have appeared from your pic that i couldn't get that due to that raised spot on the tab. Well, once we lifted the centers out of the rims, low and behold, both sides of the tabs have that raised area.

I'm able to let you know that you can get 8 positions with the cast centers.... the cast dish can go on either side of the rim's tab.

I can say that this project was not hard but needed big equipment to lift the disks and rims, it's all heavy.
It made a huge difference in handling of this tractor. it feels how a tractor should, it seemed very tippy in in the narrowest setting.

 

[sixdogs]

Hi Tex et el
sorry to drag up an old thread but it was one i found while searching on how to widen my tires and i want to share what I learned.
I have cast centers. I was seeking to have the width Herky has....
it would have appeared from your pic that i couldn't get that due to that raised spot on the tab. Well, once we lifted the centers out of the rims, low and behold, both sides of the tabs have that raised area.
View attachment 658528View attachment 658529
I'm able to let you know that you can get 8 positions with the cast centers.... the cast dish can go on either side of the rim's tab.

I can say that this project was not hard but needed big equipment to lift the disks and rims, it's all heavy.
It made a huge difference in handling of this tractor. it feels how a tractor should, it seemed very tippy in in the narrowest setting.

That is great information to know and no way to get it without all the heavy lifting involved. Thank you.
How did you lift and handle everything? Any unforeseen problems? Any advice to someone who might be planning such a move?

 

[TexasBoy]

Hey Thunderchicken, thanks for posting that. That really IS good info. Thats really bizarre that the load from the tire is all put on that small raised area. I would have never guessed it was that way on both sides, so thanks for taking time to post that. Now we all know! Thank you sir !!