BX1500,1850,1860 Tires-Wheels

[KeithInSpace]

There are places /slopes on my property I won't get on with this BX23 with the 18 / 26 wheels because of the pucker factor.

http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/?action=view&current=100_2313.jpg
On the other hand the 16 /24 wheels on this BX1500 makes for a lower center of gravity & allows me to traverse these same areas even mowing across slopes with absolutely no hint of a pucker factor.
This is one of the main reasons I bought this tractor.

Sorry to say that removal of the backhoe and FEL make a MUCH bigger difference than tire size in this regard.

Try taking the BH/FEL off the BX23 sometime and I'm quite certain you'll be able to go the very same places with that tractor as you are the BX1500(s). The poor among us (me) remove high-mounted implements before we buy a whole 'nother tractor to mow certain parts of our yards...

Mr. BP Fick: Looks great! I'm sure you'll appreciate the ground clearance afforded by the new tires and they look really cool on the shorter wheelbase.

 

[missourithunder]

Gents,
Ordered mine yesterday and they'll be here next Monday.

bp fick,
thank you for your inspirational photos.

MissouriThunder

 

[BANDAMAN]

cool deal...

I asked about this when I traded my BX2230 for a new BX1860 almost a year ago....My dealer at the time said he asked the Kubota engineers. They reported that the bigger tires were not compatible due to gear ratio differences and it would be a voided warranty situation...I didn't really buy into all that, but I'm ok with the smaller tires. I downsized tractors due to clearance issues in the property that I moved to. I like the smaller tires on the 1860 95% of the time....the other 5% of the time, the narrower, smaller front tires give me a bit of trouble....They lack some of the flotation and ground clearance of the bigger shoes and I have buried the front to the axle more often then the old BX. The width is the main problem to me and its obvious if you look at them next to each other. They should have (IMO) went with the shorter tire and kept the width the same. It really becomes an issue if you have the loader full and heavy and are on some soggy terrain.

Oh yea, I get the whole custom wheel and tire on the truck thing 110%...

 

[bp fick]

Bandaman, Well, one of these days, when you get over the warranty deal, maybe you'll take the bait!! Yup, there are alot of us Truck guys who cannot take the grey, painted factory wheels.

Seriously, on the ratio thing, you have to do your home work, that is for sure. I am quite content that I have completely matched up (fallen into the parameters) of the original. No issues. Besides. It is a 4 wheel drive issue only. That is what? 10% of one's hours, maybe 15%. If a guy runs ANYTHING, stock or otherwise, in 4 wheel on hard surfaces? Well... there isn't much hope. On loose dirt and snow? Spinning is indeed the final release valve of safety. Best Wishes

 

[bp fick]

Bandaman

Yup, it was absolutely that dinky little and skinny front tire that droves me nuts too. Good riddance. One is tempted to just change out the fronts, but don't do it, of course, as that would not be healthy for the gear ratios. Gotta do all four.

I am not sure whether just putting a wider tire on the front would help all that much, if you could even find a wider tire in 16" diameter on that little rim. I sincerely doubt it.

Yup, it is absolutely the front tires that are pretty woeful in appearance and utility. Saying that? I will probably have baited the 3 posters to proclaim how they never have had a problem. Again, a reminder to all, different tasks give different results. Your mileage may vary.

 

[bp fick]

Wheel Spacer​

When installing the new 10" front wheels with the 18" tires with 8.5" width, it is noticed that the wheel and tire comes very, very close to the tie rod end. Not close enough to rub or cause any particular issues, but too close for me.
This was true of the smaller stock tire/wheel combination as well.

Without desiring an undo amount of spacing, I ordered these 5/16" wheel spacers off the web. This small amount of spacing moves the wheel out just a small, 5/16" amount. They worked very well. They are made from aluminum and will not rust. It didn't hurt that they were also on sale for $14 shipped.

 

[Deano]

Why are the tires wet on your tractor in the garage....??

 

[Marshal9]

Wow, this post could not have come a better time. The wife and I were in the process of moving to WV to build a home and retire there, but that's another story. We have now decided to stay in NJ and are ready to close on a 2plus acre place out in the northwest area of NJ.

I had looked at the BX1860 and very much liked the machine except for the smaller tires. After reading this post I am sold on buying the BX1860 and purchasing an extra set of larger tires. Yes, I will switch the tires out during the different seasons and or projects.

Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

 

[Marshal9]

Oop, was reading the BX1860 BX2360 thread.

 

[AceDeuce]

I know this is an old thread but I am considering this mod for my BX1500 since my original tires are showing significant wear. Lots of good information here (thanks to BP Fick and others) but i have a couple questions for people more knowledgeable than me.

I fully understand the final drive ratio issue however, has anyone ever compared the parts manuals to see if the gears in the front axle are in fact different? If I was a Kubota engineer and I was looking for economies of scale I would probably try to go for middle ground and design a single axle ratio that allowed both tire sizes to fit within the 0-5% lead rule of thumb. Some people have reported that their dealers indicated that 'Kubota engineers say the ratios are different' but I don't necessarily believe that message is accurate---it might be, but I know that any info coming from a mfr will pass through the CYA filter first. A comparison of P/N's might provide some clues as to the ground truth. I am pretty sure the HST's are identical. It would make the most sense to change the final drive ratio in the front axle differential or in the steering knuckles. It could also be a gear driving the HST front output shaft.

If they are different, does anyone know what the stock lead is on the smaller BX's? The *difference* is about +3.8%, but that means the stock lead cannot be more than +1.2% otherwise the lead with the bigger tires will fall outside the 5% guideline.

The other issue is the MMM. I took some rough measurements and discovered that the rears should fit with no problem but the fronts, when turned, will probably rub. However, the stops can be adjusted to prevent rubbing, of course at the cost of some turning radius. Has anyone actually tried to mount a MMM on a smaller BX with the larger tires? Ground-truth observations would be great!

Thanks