First time jacking tractor rear end.

   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #1  

ETpilot

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This is my first time jacking the tractor rear end. Tractor is a Ford 4610 purchased new in 1992. Rear tires are original, not filled, and I believe in need of replacement. I was mowing the backside on my property and parked the tractor behind the shop so as to finish the next day.

Next day I found the left tire was going flat. I was able to air the tire up so I was able to remove the mower and FEL. I parked the tractor with a jack stand to support the left side. I decided new tires are in order. The problem is I have to take the wheels to town for the replacement. I no longer have a service that comes to me.

First battle was getting the lug nuts loose. They are 1 ½” and we’re on super tight. Either over torqued or corrosion. I made a couple of new tools. Once I had then loose I was on to the next problem; how to lift the rear end?

Searching how to do it, I decided to use a 20 ton bottle jack with 2 jack stands for support, one being a close standby. The pictures show how I have this set up. I have the tractor just about level left to right. So I would just raise the left side, remove the wheel and then lower to the jack stands. Do the same on the right side. Doing one wheel at a time.

Just looking for feedback or suggestions if my plan is good. Anything to look out for. Any idea on the weight of the wheel. Thanks.

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   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #2  
Weight of wheel is = heavy.
y not just plug that leak? Does it have a tube?
 
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   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #3  
I don't think I would support the tractor under those lower arm brackets. I'm a little gun shy though... Last summer I snapped one off on my Kubota. Totally different circumstances however.

I would also plug that tire and get another 20 years out of it.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #4  
When I swapped my tires around for more space for chains I did very similar;
getting ready to jack.jpg


both rears off.jpg
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #5  
Typical safety hints... Chock the front tires since the brakes are on the rears. Break loose wheel bolts while on the ground. Then jack and block. I like wood cribbing rather than jack stands. Metal to metal is slippery unless the tractor rests in the jack stand cup. There's only flat surfaces under my tractor. I also leave the jack under the tractor with a preload on. Sort of a belt and suspenders approach if one were to slip or fail.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #6  
Any idea on the weight of the wheel.

You really need to tell us the size of your tires. I run a Kubota B7610 and an M4700. One is easy, the other heavier.

I did similar on my M4700 w/14.9-28's FILLED (to swap my wheels to decrease the width). On the first tire I had 2 strapping 6' plus 20 yr olds to help. On the second tire I only had one of the helpers but I used a HiLift jack under the rim to help lift the tire off & on the studs. That almost made it a 1 man job. But the tires still weigh about 700lbs apiece IIRC.
Also do it on a hard surface.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #7  
I would plug that tire and go on about my business. You can get many more years out of those tires.
Elevate the "offending" tire and plug it. No need to even remove the tire/wheel.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #8  
I want them old bad tires. I'd get another 30-40 years out of them. Just fixed a flat on my neighbors. He knows that tire hadn't been off since he bought the tractor used in 1968.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end.
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thanks for all the replies. The tires are 16.9-30 tube type, not filled. The tractor sits on a concrete pad. I initially placed the jack stand under the lower arm bracket as it was easiest at the time. After reading it was not a good location, I moved it to the drawbar support bracket. It is now in a C channel cross member. Jack will also provide support. Finding a good flat spot is a problem. All 3 wheels will be chocked.

Jacking will be on the axle under a flat plate where the ROPS is bolted. I made a bracket for the jack so it cannot move left to right nor forward and aft. Using the bottle jack will make aligning the wheel with the lug bolts easier. I think.

Plugging or replacing I still have to take it to town. I will look into plugging. I may get a helper. Plan is to remove the wheel and roll it onto a flatbed trailer. Easy writing about it. I may be a bit nervous actually doing it.

I’m going to try, one last time, to see if I can find a service that will come to me for this repair.

LouNY, I’m not that knowledgeable about these tires. Mine has an arrow indicating direction of rotation. The lugs on both tires face forward. In your second picture the right tire appears to be on in reverse. Something you may want to check as I could be wrong. Thanks for the pics.
 
   / First time jacking tractor rear end. #10  
You can fix a tube tire while they are still mounted on the tractor, we never take a rim off to work on a rear tractor tire.
If you are running a tube plugging will not work, it will need to be broken down and the tube patched or replaced.
It something poked through the tire or the tire has been penetrated it should have a boot installed in the tire.
A boot is similar to a tube patch but much heavier and is designed to function much like the carcass of the tire.
Those are the rear tires that had been rolled up to lean on the fronts while I was getting ready to swap them side to side
to get a bit more clearance inside the tires for tire chains.
Yes the treads are facing the correct direction when I finished.

Rolling a 16.9-30 tire is not difficult just take it slow and easy keeping the tire balanced in the upright position.
The difficulty is going to be trying to safely lay it down on the trailer,
as soon as the top goes past center it is going to become heavy very fast.
A safer way will be some manner to suspend in the air and back the trailer under and lower it down.

If your tractor has a loader, after the tire is off carefully and securely support the corner of the tractor and use your
own loader to lift the tire and rim up and lower it into a trailer, then lift and set it down upright when done.

Or an engine hoist or even a tree and a come along.
Laying that tire down will be the most hazardous part of the job and standing it back up the hardest physically.
 

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