Tires BX23 rear wheel clearance with bar tires

Luemmel · Feb 24, 2005

I am a new owner of a BX23 and really like the machine, except for one little thing: there is so little room between the tires' inside wall and the frame that I am constantly cleaning there (heavy, sticky, clay soil)... the linkage, hoses, and wiring are not going to take this punishment too long before something breaks. Switching to turf tires won't be an option until I am able to get some of the projects done. An email query to Kubota suggested I "pop rivet a rubber piece in side your fender well." That might work if there was more clearance, but with barely an inch between the tire and the hoses and wires, I fear it will merely push the rubber into them until something is smashed. Another post in this forum linked to a site that makes wheel spacers for about $65 each, and apparently will give me 1.5 inches. Has anyone used these spacers on a BX or another small tractor? I understand their use might make it difficult to get warranty service if it has wheel bearing or axle trouble, but I suspect that is less likely than broken hoses/wiring/linkage with the current situation. Also, there are tabs on the frame that appear to be for mounting some type of inner wheel-well. Does anyone know if another model has them, and if so, will they fit on the BX23 (after I get more clearance with the use of the spacers)? Maybe it would be easier to replace the wheels and tires with something narrower?

Scrounger · Feb 24, 2005

What site was the spacers ebing sold at, I was not able to find any post about it at all. For the money, I think the spacers are the way to go. It might make the tractor a bit more stable two since every little bit of width is a plus.

bird1968 · Feb 24, 2005

Hi,

I'm in the same boat as u guys....& looking for the same info as Scrounger.

Any info would be great...

Thanks

ronjhall · Feb 25, 2005

Here is a thread on wheel spacers.
Click Here

Scrounger · Feb 25, 2005

I assume you have to do a special and send them the exact specs of what you want right. I sense a screw up doing that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Junkman · Feb 25, 2005

All you need to know is the size of the studs and the bolt diameter of the wheel. This shouldn't be difficult to find out from the Kubota dealer. Don't know if there is a locating center hub on the wheel, but if there is, that also isn't much of a hassle to measure. The biggest stumbling block that I see is the $$$$$$. As someone already pointed out, it isn't going to be cheap.... Junk

notamustang · Feb 26, 2005

WheelAdapter.com Does some very nice work. Little pricey shure but their stuff lasts. I have seen their adapters on Full Size Fords and Chevys w/22" semi wheels being abused in the dunes, not jumped but lots of hard cuts putting lots of stess on a 4" wide adapter.
Plus on a smaller tractor could you have to much width and for the warenty issue, only if the dealer sees them. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Volfandt · Feb 26, 2005

I didn't follow the link provided, and it might adress this issue in that thread, but when I mounted my 60" MMM to my BX23 last night I couldn't help but notice that theres only an inch or so clearance between the MMM's rear anti-scalp wheel bracket and the rear tires (I have bars) in the highest transport position.
The MMM's rear brackets are outboard of the rear tires so be cautious in choosing how far out you want to push the wheels/tires as they may contact the MMM's rear anti-scalp brackets. You may want to do your measurements w/the MMM mounted.

When I dismounted the BH and got to peep'n around all the plumbing,wireing linkages etc's that run between the frame & rear wheels, I figure that just about any serviceing thats going to be performed back there is gonna require removal the the rear wheels. Tight fit I rekon!

Volfandt