Tires How wide to set rear tires.

[N80]

What are the pros and cons of setting your rear tires to a wider width? I have a Kubota L4400 and you can get them significantly wider by flipping the inner rim around.

My property is hilly and after reading a few of the roll-over posts I began wondering if I should do this. What will I lose in this transaction? Obviously the tractor will be wider and this will affect manueverability on narrow trails. I'm also assuming that this puts more stress on the axle. What else?

To get them at their widest would require remounting the tires on the outer rim (since the tires are directional). I don't think I'd go to that much trouble. I plan on adding liquid ballast to the tires so this would be a good time to do it since I'll have to jack up the tractor anyway.

Any thoughts or opinions appreciated.

 

[beenthere]

Axles should be ok, and just put the right one on the left, and visa-versa with the other. Then the directional lugs will be right and the width will be wider as you want. Easy to do. Just awkward to to jack up (use blocks and be real careful).

 

[KubotaSteve]

Also if you set the tires to the widest width and you have have Ag tires you may subject yourself to additional soil tests if you spin as the tires may be outside the fenders. Of course with the tires wider, it may not throw mud in on you, but even if it does it will still be fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Like the Pontiac Grand Prix commercial says "Wider is Better".

 

[daTeacha]

General rule is to set them as wide as you can and still fit where you need to go. See the thread about tipping your trctor.

 

[stevenf]

I'm sure you've considered this but I'll throw it out just in case, when you bought your implements ie loader, box blade etc you probably bought based on the delivery setup width would increasing your tire width be outside of these implements as that would be a major consideration for most.
Steve

 

[N80]

Its a Kubota L4400 and the max recommended bucket, mower and box blade width is 72 inches which is what my mower and bucket are. If I widened the tires that would make it a little wider than 72 inches, which is not too big a problem.

So far it sounds like there is no major drawback to widening them so I'll probably go ahead and do it.

 

[Paddy]

With out a doubt, wide and filled tires are your best tools for a stable machine...except that thing between your ears. No turning on hills, slow down in tall grass where you can't see those holes.

patrick

 

[N80]

Looking at my manual, the stock tread width (from the center line of the tread) is 46.5". The maximum width is 60.8." There are three widths in between these for a total of 5 options. In the diagram of the widest option the wheel and tire stick out past the axle hub and that just appears 'weak' to me. I'm sure it isn't weak but it can't be as strong.

I think I'm going to go with the fourth widest option. With this option the you move 'disk' from one side to the other but the tire and rim stay on the same side but the disk attaches to the inner mounting point of the rim. This looks sturdy to me and adds over ten inches of width.

With 5 width options, and knowing that wider is better, why do the come from the dealer with the narrowest stance. I assumed it was a shipping thing but many of the tractors at the dealership come in crates without the wheels on.

 

[rdbrumfield]

When using my trator on slopes I set them as wide as possible. You will find some things about your tractor that will make you want to keep them that way, of course like some have said, your emplements will dictate width somewhat. One of the major improvements that I notice is that the tractor has a much smoother ride from side to side and when doing brake assisted turns it helps. Main thing is that you be careful on sidehills. The big disadvantage about having them way out is that it makes the tractor (rounder). The loader frame and roll bar is farther away from the outside of the tires and if you do roll, it gives it a better chance of going all the way over instead of just on it's side.

 

[QRTRHRS]

About the only drawback I could think of that has not been mentioned is when mowing up against posts or trees, etc. If you are trying to get real tight then you might need to lean out over the fender a bit more.

I might also remind you to properly support the tractor when you make your swap. Safety first!