BX front wheel interchangibility

thirdroc17 · Jun 17, 2015

Just a few simple questions. Will the 8" front wheels from a BX1870 fit on a BX2670? Concerned about clearance around the gear housing, etc. If so, is there a width or offset difference?

Thanks.

oldnslo · Jun 17, 2015

Wouldn't the rolling radius be different so that your front wheel assist would not work properly.

thirdroc17 · Jun 17, 2015

An 18" tall tire is an 18" tall tire, doesn't make any difference what size the wheel is. There are far more 18" tall tires to choose from in 8" than 10" wheel size.

rjkobbeman · Jun 17, 2015

According to kubota.com, the 1870 has one size of tires/wheels and the 2370, 2670 and 25D have another size. Meaning, the 2370, 2670 and 25D all have the same size (in their respective tire type), however the 1870 is smaller.

Whether or not the wheels from a 2370, 2670 or 25D would actually physically bolt on, I don't know. But due to the size difference, you would not want to do this.

thirdroc17 · Jun 17, 2015

The size of the WHEEL has NOTHING to do with the overall diameter of the tire. An EIGHTEEN inch tall tire is EIGHTEEN inches tall, and 56.5" around. If the wheel is 4" of the diameter or 16" of it, the TIRE is STILL 18" tall.

A low profile, 18" tire on a 10" wheel does ride a whole bunch rougher than an 18" tire on an 8" wheel. More sidewall, more flex with an 8" wheel. That is why pneumatic tires were invented in the first place.

I don't have a loader, so don't go bothering telling me how I need the low profile tires for that.

All I asked, and wanted to know is, will the wheel interchange? If so, that opens up dozens of available tires THE SAME OVERALL DIAMETER AS STOCK while absorbing the rough stuff better.

Even if it did, so what? 99% of the time, it's in 2 wheel drive. Even when in 4 wheel drive, does that mean you can't turn? Apparently not, because when turning, the front tires have to go farther, thereby screwing up the front to rear ratio of straight ahead. That's why, even in winter, I use 2 wheel drive and chains on the rear. That gives me plenty of forward push, while allowing it to turn BETTER because the fronts don't have to be slid along faster than they are turning.

Citydude · Jun 17, 2015

Put big fat tires on the front, we don't care. Geez....

rjkobbeman · Jun 18, 2015

thirdroc17 said:
The size of the WHEEL has NOTHING to do with the overall diameter of the tire. An EIGHTEEN inch tall tire is EIGHTEEN inches tall, and 56.5" around. If the wheel is 4" of the diameter or 16" of it, the TIRE is STILL 18" tall.

A low profile, 18" tire on a 10" wheel does ride a whole bunch rougher than an 18" tire on an 8" wheel. More sidewall, more flex with an 8" wheel. That is why pneumatic tires were invented in the first place.

I don't have a loader, so don't go bothering telling me how I need the low profile tires for that.

All I asked, and wanted to know is, will the wheel interchange? If so, that opens up dozens of available tires THE SAME OVERALL DIAMETER AS STOCK while absorbing the rough stuff better.

Even if it did, so what? 99% of the time, it's in 2 wheel drive. Even when in 4 wheel drive, does that mean you can't turn? Apparently not, because when turning, the front tires have to go farther, thereby screwing up the front to rear ratio of straight ahead. That's why, even in winter, I use 2 wheel drive and chains on the rear. That gives me plenty of forward push, while allowing it to turn BETTER because the fronts don't have to be slid along faster than they are turning.

Yeah, we all get that. Your post though did not really say you don't give a #$%^ about tire sizes that traditionally goes with said wheels...so we were giving advice that more than likely fit the question. If you don't want help, don't ask. Sheesh...

thirdroc17 · Jun 18, 2015

thirdroc17 said:
Just a few simple questions. Will the 8" front wheels from a BX1870 fit on a BX2670? Concerned about clearance around the gear housing, etc. If so, is there a width or offset difference?

Thanks.

My original SIMPLE question. Thanks for nothing guys.

oldnslo · Jun 18, 2015

I don't know if the bolt pattern and pilot diameter is different or not. Do you have a dealer close by where you could measure them?

dodge man · Jun 18, 2015

You can put sand in your engine instead of motor oil, but people would advise against it. Same thing with the tire size. My guess is the wheels and tires would bolt up, but the front tire to rear tires size is important. If the overall diameter is the same, you are correct, the ratio would still be the same. I'd take one off and take it to a dealer and just roll it up next to an 1870 and see if they are the same.

thirdroc17 · Jul 29, 2015

Just to let you naysayers know, I now have "big fat" high profile tires all the way around. Everything works just fine, the ride is GREATLY improved. I've done this on tractors before, it worked then, it worked now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Zick · Jul 29, 2015

Did you change the rear tires too?
Your 1st post said you wanted to change out the front tires but now you say "high profile tires all the way around" which makes it sound like you changed the rear too.

I assume you kept the factory size tires that came on the BX1870?

jim44 · Jul 29, 2015

Wow! It's so seldom that you run across a smart#$$ that just knows everything about everything. I'm sure the other guys appreciate roc just about as much as I do.

Code54 · Jul 29, 2015

Don't think anyone was being naysayers or hostel to you in the least. Guys on here often try to point out potential problems so you don't tear anything up and are trying to be helpful, give them a chance! Also just because something works now does not mean it is the best long term idea.
I could somehow cobble my mx5100's tires on my BX if I tried hard enough but it may not last real long......

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 30, 2015

bad idea. The rolling radius is different.

Zick · Jul 30, 2015

Now that I checked, how did you find an 8" rim with an 18" tire from a BX1870?

According to Kubota specs, the BX1870 only came with a 16" front tire while the BX23 and up came with 18" tires.

Grandad4 · Jul 31, 2015

OP evidently sought a softer ride, which raised two thoughts for me. 1. Why not just let a little air out of the tires instead of completely changing the rims and tires? 2. Changing just the fronts wouldn't affect the ride very much since the operator is sitting directly over the rear tires. But, I guess this was a discussion that wasn't meant to go very far.

SPYDERLK · Jul 31, 2015

Grandad4 said:
OP evidently sought a softer ride, which raised two thoughts for me. 1. Why not just let a little air out of the tires instead of completely changing the rims and tires? 2. Changing just the fronts wouldn't affect the ride very much since the operator is sitting directly over the rear tires. But, I guess this was a discussion that wasn't meant to go very far.

Yeah, well I put BX1800 wheels on my BX1500. [I had to add spacers to the fronts for clearance.] The larger tires increased the front lead but caused no problems. They ride better, and increased lead improves steering noticeably in 4wd. More lead would be even better. The tractor presently has over 2000hrs.
larry

Grandad4 · Jul 31, 2015

Bigger tires should improve the ride, no doubt. I just figured most "seat of the pants" ride quality would be related to the rear tires, because that's where the "seat of the pants" is planted on a BX and most other tractors.

Back in the 2001-2003 era, I think, there were some thoughtful threads here about tire sizes, gearing and lead/lag performance. I seem to recall they concluded Kubota tended to specify standard front/rear tire sizes that lag, so upsizing the fronts should have improved performance and reduced wear on the drivetrain. Don't know if that's still the case with the newer models and also don't know if anyone has looked into the characteristics of other makes that have come on the scene.

SPYDERLK · Jul 31, 2015

,
Agree on rear tire influence on ride quality.

I can see no reason for lag in 4wd. The fronts go as far as the rears when going straight, and increasingly further as you steer. Lag is bad for directional control. Our L3450, stock tires, has a lot of lead. You have to be turning pretty hard before they start to be pushed. Steers great. The fronts wore bald in 2000 hrs and had to be replaced.