Dual Fronts on a 3x20 Series?

[Neophyte]

I have noticed that my 3320 gets exceptional flotation in mucky conditions (near shorelines of swamps, bogs, ponds, etc.). My tires are not loaded. With that said, my front tires are the first to sink, while my rear tires stay above the muck pretty well. I was thinking about purchasing another set of front tires for dual fronts so I can get better flotation in the muck.

Question #1:
Has anyone ever had dual front tires on a 3x20 series tractor?

Question #2:
Do you think dual fronts will make a noticeable difference?

Question #3:
Does someone sell a dual front wheel kit for the 3x20 tractor or will I need to make something?

Question #4:
Is there anything else I need to consider before doing this?

 

[dirtworksequip]

Better ask over at the 4x4 question thread. "How much extra wear on your front end this is going to cause?"
Check unverferth.com they may have a way to dual your fronts.

 

[neverenough]

I have noticed that my 3320 gets exceptional flotation in mucky conditions (near shorelines of swamps, bogs, ponds, etc.). My tires are not loaded. With that said, my front tires are the first to sink, while my rear tires stay above the muck pretty well. I was thinking about purchasing another set of front tires for dual fronts so I can get better flotation in the muck.

Question #1:
Has anyone ever had dual front tires on a 3x20 series tractor?

Question #2:
Do you think dual fronts will make a noticeable difference?

Question #3:
Does someone sell a dual front wheel kit for the 3x20 tractor or will I need to make something?

Question #4:
Is there anything else I need to consider before doing this?

#4) Try wider rims and tires. Use the narrow tire/wheel combo where traction is required, use the wider ones where more flotation is desired. Puting duals on the front, in my OPINION, will cause way too much stress on the steering components (spindles/ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, ect...). With dual wheels, you will end up with a much wider tread width than with one wide tire. With the duals, you will have to space the tires so the "bulge" next to the contact patch of the tires don't rub. Plus, IMO, you will leave yourself open for a much higher risk of tire damage becouse of rocks and stumps getting between the duals causing sidewall damage. All just my OPINION, so just take it as such.

 

[Neophyte]

Check unverferth.com they may have a way to dual your fronts.

Thanks for the lead. I checked with Unverferth and they said they could do it. I'm in the process of getting a price.

Try wider rims and tires. Use the narrow tire/wheel combo where traction is required, use the wider ones where more flotation is desired. Puting duals on the front, in my OPINION, will cause way too much stress on the steering components (spindles/ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, ect...). With dual wheels, you will end up with a much wider tread width than with one wide tire. With the duals, you will have to space the tires so the "bulge" next to the contact patch of the tires don't rub. Plus, IMO, you will leave yourself open for a much higher risk of tire damage becouse of rocks and stumps getting between the duals causing sidewall damage. All just my OPINION, so just take it as such.

Good points. I was pondering using the Galaxy Turf Special front wheels/tires but that would only give me another 2 inches of width per tire. Also, can I mix and match tires like this or would this cause a problem with the MFWD? That is, can I keep my R4 Marathoners in the rear and add Galaxy Turf Specials to the front?

Turf Special Front Tires (R3)
25x10.5LL-15 In. 6PR

Marathoner Front Tires (R4) [Currently on Tractor]
27x8.5-15 In. 6PR

I can get a set of Turf Specials with Wheels for $516. Another set of the R4 Marathoners with Wheels would cost me $408 plus the cost of the dual wheel kit.

With all of that said, the dual fronts sure would look cool and provide more flotation.

 

[neverenough]

Tire pattern won't matter much, but you will need to keep to the same diameter tire. Much like a 4 wheel drive pick up truck having all 4 tires the same diameter, the front and rear of the MFWD tractors need to have the correct size tires to keep the system in sync. Say your front tires have a mounted diameter of 20 inches, you will need to use the same diameter tire. Doesn't matter if it's a turf tire, ag tire, industrial tire, knobby, ect.... as long as the mounted diameter is the same. There is some give in the number, it doesn't have to be exactly the same size, but it should be close.

 

[Neophyte]

What about the tires mentioned above? Would they be close enough?

 

[neverenough]

What about the tires mentioned above? Would they be close enough?

Don't know, you would have to ask the/a tire dealer what the mounted diameter is. I've alway's just bought replacement tractor tires, so I'm not sure if the maker lists the mounted height or not. I do know, from installing quite a few non replacement tires on trucks and cars, almost all car and truck tires list the mounted diameter in the book.