Changing out the axle to suit the tire

rsmith02184 · Sep 17, 2010

Hi

I have a JD4100 compact utility tractor and it has 4 lug tires. I am in need of new tires and I got a good deal on 2 sets of tires, one set is filled for winter use. I bought the tires before I realized that they are mounted on 5 lug rims. I was hoping just to use them as they are presently mounted.

What would you recommend:

1) using one set and mounting them on the 4 lug rims that I presently have on the tractor or...

2) changing the axle to receive 5 lug rims?

Is option #2 even possible? Is it easy to do? Can I get the parts cheaply?

thanks

Mace Canute · Sep 17, 2010

I would think that changing out the axle would be the most expensive option (by quite a bit), and even then you would have to find an axle that would be a "bolt in" replacement and come with 5 hole hubs.

Your options are (1) the above

, (2) buy a second pair of 4 hole rims and swap all the tires and try to save as much of the liquid ballast as you can, (3) try to find or have made up adapter rings, (4) have the centers removed from the new sets and have 4 hole centers inserted:confused2:, (5) rework the 4 hole rims to a 5 hole configuration. (6) redrill the 4 hole hubs for the 5 hole rims, (7) find a set of 5 hole hubs that will "bolt on" to your existing spindles. A couple of those options are possible but hardly practicable!

Assuming the center holes are the same size, I would look at option (6) first to see if it is possible. Some hubs have extra metal at the bolt holes for strength and there might not be enough meat to redrill. Messy as it would be, I think option (2) would be the best in the long run. You buy one set of 4 hole rims and sell 2 sets of 5 hole rims. Next I think would be option (7), but you end up with two 4 hole hubs and a pair of 4 hole rims to dispose of. Option (5) might work well too if your present rims don't have or need any "coining" around the lug holes. Option 3 might work IF you could find cheap adapters. If you have to have them made, they would probably be expensive.

My vote is to buy a second set of 4 hole rims and swap all the tires over, or just swap tires and forget about having a second set of liquid filled tires ready to bolt on.