Bro-Tek Wheel Spacers

[sailnseagulls]

I have a BX23 and like many other owners, I have come very close to tipping it over on a few occasions. Lately, it seems that I do about 95 percent of work with my backhoe off. I do have wheel weights on, but have not filled the tires because the manual says I shouldn't with the backhoe. I decided to try the new Bro-Tek wheel spacers to see if they would give me more stability.
I received them yesterday and Richard was very good to do business with. I was pleased with the quality as these are machined to fit the tractor. To install, you use the original bolts to secure the spacer which has lugs and new lugnuts to secure the wheel. I then re-installed my wheel weights.
The spacers add about 2" per side for a total of about 4" extra stance. It doesn't change the whole look of the tractor, but you can definately see the wider stance. I took a rough measurement of about 48" from outside tire to outside tire, so the tracks should still be covered by the boxblade or rake. I have not had a chance to try the stabilty out, but hopefully every bit helps.
Larry

 

[Mowbizz]

I have a BX23 and like many other owners, I have come very close to tipping it over on a few occasions. Lately, it seems that I do about 95 percent of work with my backhoe off. I do have wheel weights on, but have not filled the tires because the manual says I shouldn't with the backhoe. I decided to try the new Bro-Tek wheel spacers to see if they would give me more stability.
I received them yesterday and Richard was very good to do business with. I was pleased with the quality as these are machined to fit the tractor. To install, you use the original bolts to secure the spacer which has lugs and new lugnuts to secure the wheel. I then re-installed my wheel weights.
The spacers add about 2" per side for a total of about 4" extra stance. It doesn't change the whole look of the tractor, but you can definately see the wider stance. I took a rough measurement of about 48" from outside tire to outside tire, so the tracks should still be covered by the boxblade or rake. I have not had a chance to try the stabilty out, but hopefully every bit helps.
Larry

Hi, see my post here about my Markham toothbar...I also bought the spacers fro Richard at BroTek...can't wait to put them on...yes every little bit should help with these little "tippy" workhorse BX's...
Oh, by the way, what is the torque specs for bolting the spacers onto the tractor and for the wheels as well, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[sailnseagulls]

The manual says 80-96 ft. lbs for the rears. Richard did not supply any other directions, so I used about the same torque.
Larry

I just looked at your toothbar post. I also should tell you that you will need a thin walled socket to fit the holes in the spacer. I first tried a heavy duty socket from my airgun and it wouldn't fit inside. I installed the front and rear skidplate last year from BroTek and it was an easy install and great insurance.

 

[Mowbizz]

The manual says 80-96 ft. lbs for the rears. Richard did not supply any other directions, so I used about the same torque.
Larry

I just looked at your toothbar post. I also should tell you that you will need a thin walled socket to fit the holes in the spacer. I first tried a heavy duty socket from my airgun and it wouldn't fit inside. I installed the front and rear skidplate last year from BroTek and it was an easy install and great insurance.

Great...thanks for the info...!

 

[JimC]

I tried the Bro-Tek web page, but they did not have any information on their wheel spacers. What was the price?
I could sur use them on my BX2200
jimc

 

[ChuckinNH]

We definitely need pics of this.

 

[Mowbizz]

I tried the Bro-Tek web page, but they did not have any information on their wheel spacers. What was the price?
I could sur use them on my BX2200
jimc

Hi...I bought the as part of a combo so your best bet is to email Richard and he will get back to you quickly. I wouldn't want to give you the wrong price.
Here's his email address:

richard@bro-tek.biz

 

[Mowbizz]

We definitely need pics of this.

Here they are...

 

[Ductape]

Nice ! Does he make them for a B series ??

 

[WilliamBos]

Does he make them for other brands?? Does he have a website??

 

[Mowbizz]

Does he make them for other brands?? Does he have a website??

Your best bet is to contact Richard yourselves...see the email link in the above posts...

 

[sailnseagulls]

I also bought mine together with the ripper tooth. BroTek has the spacers listed for $260 alone but $220 with any combo of other attachments. That price included shipping. Yes, they are expensive, but it is a machined piece and high quality. I can say that Richard is prompt and I was equally as impressed with the ripper tooth as I was the spacers quality.
I also just installed the American Solutions grapple and wanted to give the tractor a test run. I keep staring at the new wheel stance because I can't believe how much 2" on each side changes the stance. I picked up a load of branches on a muddy slope and I never had that tippy feeling I've come to know. I did not feel any noticable difference in turning but my eye catches the rear tires sticking out further. So far I am happy with them, but I may also go the route of filling the tires for extra measure.

 

[Ductape]

I also bought mine together with the ripper tooth. BroTek has the spacers listed for $260 alone but $220 with any combo of other attachments. That price included shipping. Yes, they are expensive, but it is a machined piece and high quality.

I'd call that more than fair for parts that nice...... especially if you price other company's wheel spacers. Definitely right in the same ballpark.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for posting the pictures of the spacers, and giving us an idea on the price. Snap a couple pictures of the tractor with them installed if you get a chance. That wider stance has to look good!

 

[Mowbizz]

Thanks for posting the pictures of the spacers, and giving us an idea on the price. Snap a couple pictures of the tractor with them installed if you get a chance. That wider stance has to look good!

OK will do!

 

[Mowbizz]

OK will do!

Well, I lied...I said I'd take pictures of the wheel spacers but I installed them tonight after working all day and they look great...got stuck in some mud today in a lady's back yard (or should I say "swamp" ) damned wheels were spinning like heck...4 wheel drive wasn't gonna get me out either...before I buried the hubs, I shut her down and luckily there was enough room to back my F250 down the hill in the back yard and I used one of my tie down straps to hook up and pull her free...whew! Didn't know what I was going to do but thank God I had room for the truck and the tie down strap...
After I clean the BX up a bit I'll snap some pics of the tractor with the spacers installed...

 

[JimC]

I mounted the Bro-Tek wheel spacers today and the tire spacing went from 44" to 49.5" out side to out side. It feels more stable using the bucket and I don't get that woops feeling when having the load at the outer edges of the bucket.
One other improvement is that I now have 5" of space between the tire and the side of the tractor frame. That will make it nicer when I mount the backhoe next time.
And as someone said you need a reguler socket to mount the wheel on the adapter, the heavy wall driver sockets won't fit.
All in all a very good improvement to the good old BX2200
Jimc Seguin, TX

 

[ACHINBAC]

Here are some pictures of the spacers & the stance also. He fabbed front spacers for me also, but not as wide as the rears. Richard is great to do business with - have his bash plates also but have not had time to install them yet. By the way, if you order them make sure to set the studs with a punch - some of mine were not pressed home.