Are dual wheels worth it?

yaouk · Jan 7, 2002

Fitting dual rear wheels to a 25 hp tractor would increase the rear track and therefore lower the centre of gravity, and decrease the risk of a side rollover. But would there be a worthwhile advantage taking into consideration not just cost but just how much more stable things would be?

I so hate that awful leaning feeling!

MarkV · Jan 8, 2002

Yaouk,

<font color=blue>I so hate that awful leaning feeling!</font color=blue>

I sure do know what you mean./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif We just don’t see duals on the compact tractors here in the States. Given the size of our tractors, I think there would be a stress issue on the rear axle. If it is more common in your part of the world, I am sure it would help stability dramatically.

There are a couple less expensive things that will help stability. Filling the rear tires 75% full of liquid ballast (water, windshield washer fluid, calcium chloride solution) will add a great deal of weight at and below the center of gravity. Many tractors have adjustable rear axles or wheels that can be reversed, creating a wider rear tire spacing. Always have an implement attached and carried low when working on the hills. I use a box blade because it is fairly compact and makes a good brake if needed./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Be careful on those hills. Sorry to hear about the terrible fires over your way.

MarkV

Harv · Jan 8, 2002

George -

With the amount of property you have, maybe you should just buy a big ol' honkin' tractor and then see if you need duals.

Uhh... you did say money was no object, didn't you?

yaouk · Jan 8, 2002

<font color=blue>maybe you should just buy a big ol' honkin' tractor <font color=black>

Hmm? Sounds reasonable to me!
Problem is my place is heavily forrested and very hilly. I just don't have room to swing a big machine around; ahh not to mention a reason to have one. Is fun a reason?

MarkV raised a good point. The drive train may not cope with the extra load. Reacreational 4WD'ers who put big donut tyres on their machines could relate.
But what would be interesting would be training wheels. The principle works for kiddies bicycles so perhaps a small tractor? Maybe I need another drink.

Thank you for your concerns about the big fires, and thank you to all the US for those big Sikorsky Sky Crane fire fighting choppers. They are amazing! Despite the enormity of any disaster or despicable crime it is so reassuring to know that you have firends that will help.

jdkid · Jan 8, 2002

Hi ya
well duels can help and in some cases make things worse ,i have seen them put on smaller tractors MF 35's now spaceing out ya tires is ya best bet and adding water/anti frezes if in snow or hard frosts only add bout 50% water ie valve at 9 o clock keeps the water below the axle any above helps on flat but not alot on hills a back blade will help if useing a FEL and taking ya FEL off if topping or useing 3 point link ...now duels do make ya tractor wider but lower ya PSI with the ground so ya braking and other things change a bit harder on drive trains but more offen than not on steep hills bolts and axles are frist to go ,i'd space my tires out and add a bit of water and see what it feels like then ..oh yea tires also come into it if older crossply or bis they don't sway as much on hills as the new ones do weard feeling i know tractor feels like it's going to fall but all the tires are still on the ground..
catch ya
JD Kid

frank_f15 · Jan 9, 2002

will agree with HARV here, seems like u might need a slightly larger tractor. don't think i ever heard of duals on a compact. around here u only see them on big farm tractors and that is mostly for traction and pulling power.