Other than the engine, with the Buck having a slightly larger 18hp vs. the Beaver III having 16.5hp, I haven't been able to find there is any difference between the transmission/differential of both. On the 4X4 models, both use the same front wheels, but the Buck came new with 8X18 rear wheels. The Beaver III came new with 8X16 rear wheels. That's it. The transmission/differential part numbers of both are the same. I haven't seen the part numbers for the front drivetrains, so maybe the same, maybe not? I post this question, as there are some rear wheels floating around without tractors on which to mount them. Question is: would it make any difference if the 18" rear wheels were mounted onto the Beaver III or if the 16" rear wheels were mounted onto a Buck? It is common knowledge that mismatching front and rear wheels on 4X4 tractors is not good if the front to rear gear ratios are too far off. We all know that. But, perhaps the gear ratios of the Beaver III and Buck are identical and both tire sets can be used without concern since they are both not that far off, with the front wheels leading slightly on the Beaver III while those on the Buck are not leading quite as much? Has anyone here actually tried the 18" wheels on a 4X4 Beaver III, or tried the 16" wheels on a Buck and then compared how many rotations the fronts make compared to the rears? Maybe it's never been done before, even though these tractors have been around for 40+ years? I have wondered about this for many years, but never have gotten to the bottom of it, so maybe it's my challenge for 2026....unless someone else already knows for sure if there is rear wheel interchangeability between the two tractors without any problems. Anyone know for sure, not just in theory?
