DIY wheel spacers

[Aussiebushman]

The various options for chains or traction bars on the rears of my Ford 6000 have all failed due to the lack of clearance between the tires and the tractor body - like 1/2" As the wheel revolves, the shackles or bolts just snap off - even high tensile

This tractor is so old the chances of finding anything ready made is slim. I have searched numerous posts but can't find anything on "build it yourself" wheel spacers. I only need to add about 2" each side to do the job.Something like the ones in these pictures unless someone has better idea. All suggestions welcome

 

[Redneck in training]

Here is supplier of whttp://www.skidsteersolutions.com/accessories/wheel-spacersheel spacers:
There was another company that advertised on TBN that sells those and said they can make any non standard but I can't find it now.

Edit I just googled wheel spacers https://www.motorsport-tech.com/tractor.html this company will make custom spacers
I would think that there will be a machine shop in AUS that could make them too.

 

[BHD]

John Deere had spacers on there 6600, 4400, etc combine series, if that is the correct bolt pattern, I think they were a 8 hole pattern,

 

[oldpilgrim]

https://www.motorsport-tech.com/tractor.html

you can't do better than these guys. i had a set made for my brother's Kioti and they are perfect. If they don't have them, they'll make them and the workmanship is first class. The owners are some of the most helpful and responsive guys I've ever dealt with.

Highly recommended.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I made these for my tractor... thinking outside the box, spacers do not have to go behind the lug nuts!




Have worked well for over a year now, gained 4.5 inches.

 

[Raspy]

dieselcrawler,

Good job. Excellent concept and well made. Those will never break.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Nice job, but with spacers behind the wheels, you only need 2.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks all. I had hoped to fit spacers between the ends of the axles and the large plate to which the wheel bolts but I have looked again and doubt this will work. (See pictures)

The IT shop manual is useless - not even a picture of the wheel mounting. There seem to be only three options:

1. Fabricate units like Dieselcrawler's - potentially a great solution

2. Fit longer studs and put spacers on each bolt (assuming the existing studs can be removed) OR

3. Possibly the simplest option - Reverse the wheels so the small offsets that are currently on the outside of the rims bolt onto the mounting plates and effectively widen the track considerably. You can see in the second picture that the current inside offset is nearly 12" whereas the outside offset is only around 3"

Unfortunately. I will not be able to determine if either of these options are feasible without removing a wheel - a swine of a job on a wheel this size. Has anyone got a similar setup and can offer comments please?

 

[Redneck in training]

Option #4
It is not clear from the pictures how much the axle is sticking out from the wheel disc but I think you might be able to slide the wheel 50 mm out on the axle.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks Ladia

Assume I'm stupid - not too far from the truth - but please explain how this is done. Presumably remove the wheel first, but then what? As stated earlier, the IT shop manual is useless