DIY wheel spacers

[Raspy]

What I would try first is loosen the hub clamps and slide the wheel out 2 inches. They look long enough and strong enough to work that way.

That looks like a bad idea to me. The hub clamps are out at the end of the axle against what looks like snap rings. 2" more would be an unfair load and might come off or break. Look at the hub picture in post 13.

Looks like he'll have to swap sides or make spacers.

 

[Xfaxman]

That looks like a bad idea to me. The hub clamps are out at the end of the axle against what looks like snap rings. 2" more would be an unfair load and might come off or break. Look at the hub picture in post 13.

Looks like he'll have to swap sides or make spacers.

This is the picture of the hub that looks like it would be long enough to remove the snap ring and slide it out a little. Hard to tell from this angle, would need to measure the length of the hub.

 

[BHD]

as all ready said swap the tires and wheels the rib would be on the inside of the rim instead of the out side

if to far out move the hubs in, to get the desired width,

 

[GLyford]

No one has commented on whether I can get away without swapping left and right wheels and vice versa. I know that is preferred but the task is pretty daunting - the tractor weighs closer to 3 tons than 2 and each wheel and tire would be well over 100 Kg

Take a look at this thread, I think you'd be OK:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/tires/343001-ag-tires-backward.html

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks Glyford - that is a most interesting and useful thread. The comments suggest only positive outcomes and this has convinced me to just reverse the wheels without changing sides - it will give me an extra 6" of clearance between the tires and the tractor body with a lot less work.

As stated earlier, this beast only works on the property and does not go onto sealed roads. With the tires the way they are at present, going forward is not too bad, but reversing, especially up any kind of slope is a nightmare. It got bogged last week in reasonably dry conditions because it just would not back out of soft earth without the wheels spinning

 

[BHD]

I had a relative who ran his tires backwards on his combine, and his thought was he would spin out forward before he got "stuck" and with the tires in the backwards position he was reasonable assured of backing the machine out, and it worked for him and he did that for 30 years,

and if you doing chains you will most likely pick back up a lot of the traction you lost by the reversal of the tread, (the direction of the tread is so it will self clean and keep biting when in reverse the tread fills with dirt or mud.

 

[BHD]

I have switched rims by my self, not easy, but do able,on my 4020 John Deere 1970, about the same size tractor, yes I suggest help, and a good jack, as instead of raising the tire I use the jack and adjust the tractor to the height I need, the biggest problem is walking the tire out from under the center hub.

Sunday, I helped the neighbor turn the tires around on a tractor he was using (clearance issues), on picking up beans and the tire was running over the beans, we had to do both the front and the back on the 4wd versatile tractor bidirectional, the back tires were liquid filled heavy.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks BHD - all very encouraging.

The tractor has been lifted on a jack (also with supports under the frame) so the wheel just clears the ground. If necessary, I can dig a hollow under the wheel rather than try to raise it any further

You can see in the picture the lifting frame and lever chain hoist attached to the wheel. I used this arrangement once before and it worked fine. Fortunately, I'll have some help this weekend to turn the wheel once it is clear of the hub. The hoist will then lift the wheel to the right height to re-seat it.

Wish me luck!

 

[BHD]

Good luck and safety.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Re: DIY wheel spacers - success (sort of)

One wheel has been reversed. Not a particularly easy job but the result is excellent with a space of over 9" between the frame and the tire. When I add more cross-chains, that should fix the traction issue on that wheel

The other side is a different story! The jig that worked perfectly on the first wheel struggled to lift the rim clear of the hub and I now know the reason - this one has been filled with water. Finally got it off and it is lying on the ground.

My next challenge is to work out how to turn the massive weight of this sucker so the valve is downhill and the water can be drained. Then the wheel will have to be moved to the compressor or vice versa. Then I'll have to get it upright, spun around and re mounted on the hub - unless I can borrow a second tractor to work with my jib that ain't gonna be easy.