Dual rear wheels on a compact?

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 23, 2003

This is a very un-thought-through idea here but I wanted to post it to get some reactions and to see if anyone had considered it or done it before. The idea is having dual rear wheels on a compact like the bigger tractors use.

I was just chatting with a friend who always teases me about my tendency to over-engineer everything and then over-build it, too. We were chatting about adding wheel weights/EZ Weights or filling tires with Calcium or W/W fluid when he suggested duals. My first reaction was, true to my gender, "Yeah, let's build that now!"

We tossed around some ways to do this and feel comfortable we could make this work (although with somewhat different methods, of course). I was just wondering if anyone had done this before and, if so, how and to what effect.

I know this isn't the most practical idea for a smaller compact as it won't pull big enough implements to cover its new, wider tracks. About the only "practical" use I can come up with would be for FEL work or dragging logs but I thought it might be a neat little DIY project if only to raise some eyebrows with the neighbors.

Any thoughts out there as to why I should or shouldn't give this a shot? I already know that for the most part it's impractical so that's covered. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Inspector507 · Jul 23, 2003

Gary,
I have seen a few spacers manufactured for compacts to add another set of rears. The website escapes me right now, but basically it was a machined piece that had 5 or 6 holes (depending on the tractor) drilled through and both rims bolted on with REAL long bolts.
Jerry

JackIL · Jul 23, 2003

Gary,

The duals on the John Deere 855 in this photo are made by Unverferth Mfg. of Kalida, Ohio. www.unverferth.com/wheelsys8_3.htm

They make many types of specialty wheels for ag tractors and equipment as well as grain carts, etc.

JackIL

shady1701 · Jul 23, 2003

they say unless you have a 120hp tractor not to use dual wheels the reason being is the front wheels compact the soil for back and if you add another wheel the outer wheel will always be on less compacted soil and will be higher than inside causing axle stress and a list of problems unless your rig is heavy enough i reckon it defeats the purpose of putting duals and creates more problems..

Slamfire · Jul 24, 2003

I've done it and think it is just great. I got a set of wheels from a tractor being parted out, they threw in the tires on the deal. $300 plus $50 shipping. Made spools from 6" pipe, from the boneyard, did the welding myself, gave the machinist $100 for the turning and holes. I keep the inner tires inflated 2 psi more than the outers, to lessen the stress on the bearings. I seldom use the fwd anymore, but do have to step on the differential lock when pulling heavy logs. I just take the outers off for row crop work, the garden isn't very steep. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MarkV · Jul 24, 2003

Gary,
This was discussed a few times way back when and I will say it would look cool. From what I recall of the past discussion the feeling was that the rear axles on the compacts were not strong enough to handle the extra stress caused by leverage exerted with the extra width. This was a theoretical discussion but you can see how there would be considerably more load put on the axle bearings and hub assembly. Now Slamfire has done it without problems and I would love to see a photo. It has to look cool. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MarkV

Soundguy · Jul 24, 2003

Those this is a bit removed from what you are proposing, I have seen a set of iron mud paddles that bolt on in tandem with the regular ag tire on a tractor. I believe it was on an older 9/2N.. but could have been an 8n , etc... Looked pretty neat.. the paddles gave it that 'river boat' look.. though the paddles weren't even as wide as a regular tire, etc.. just added about another 50% to the width.

Soundguy

Hoeman00 · Jul 24, 2003

Instead of the rear only click on the MFWD link and duals on both ends /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Anyway when we went thru this before I said that if u ran 2 narrower tires as duals these could be less actual width than some of the extra wide turf tires.
On our farm tractors we always run used tires on the duals and put the new tires on the inside.
On solid ground or the road sometimes the dual tire isn't contacting the surface.

Soundguy · Jul 24, 2003

I think your about right.. I'm fairly sure the 16.9 x 24' huge turfs on my NAA are about twice as wide as the stock r-1's on my 8n.. I'm guessing at least 1.75 times the size or so...

Soundguy

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 24, 2003

Mark,

I have to admit the "it would have to look cool" part was a big factor in my even considering something like this. Unverferth actually shows a picture of a JD compact with dual turfs on the back at the link above and it did look pretty cool.

Of course, knowing that it's been done commercially by them and that it's been done by Slamfire here on TBN so, hence, I wouldn't even be the first one on here to have them took a lot of the "cool" out of it for me.

I don't mind doing something odd and impractical IF I can be the first kid on the block to do it. Now that that part is gone, I'm a lot less enthused about the idea. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Oh, well... it was fun thinking about it, anyhow... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif