My I think I need a tractor thread

flusher · Mar 4, 2011

laz said:
I have been thinking about that an unfortunately the L series kubota's
are higher then the B series......the L series seem like the tougher heavy
tractor.....is it possible to get smaller rims/tires and lower a tractor of
any make? and keep the ratio between front and back wheels correct
for the 4 wheel drive? the ground clearence i need is not that much
most of the time because i have a chainsaw and know how to abuse it....
the only time a really need ground clearence is for the once a year
spring snow storms, otherwise i would just use the FEL to remove any
obstical.

laz

It's certainly possible to change wheel size and lower the tractor by using shorter front axle spindles. That's how my 1964 MF135 diesel was modified from a field tractor to an orchard tractor.

The normal 28" diameter rims on the rears were replaced by 16" dia rims and the ag tires were replaced by BF Goodrich 6-ply 18.4-16A Silvertowns.

The squat ratio on the MF135 is 4.15 (83" wide track/20" axle height above grade) compared to 2.84 on my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (71" wide track/25" axle height) which is set up for field work. It would take some doing to roll that MF135 orchard configuration, but you could do it if you set your mind to it.

The 5525 is the big red tractor shown next to the 2005 Kubota B7510HST (the trade-in on the 5525 deal).

k0ua · Mar 4, 2011

TripleR said:
They do make low profile tractors often for orchards. Yes, you can get different wheels and tires, but that will be harder on some than others.

The most stable tractor we own is this Massey Ferguson 375 set up as an orchard tractor. We have never had problems with ground clearance and it sticks like glue. It is bigger than your needs at 72 HP, but different sizes have been made by different companies.

There are a couple of guys on here who use the Kubota Lxx00 in the hills and they really like them. I think dex336 has an L4400 and uses his in WV; can't remember who else has one, but I know there are others.

I have a L3400HST and use it on very steep hilly ground, with good success. I have loaded tires, (fluid in the tires) and that helps a lot, and of course the track on the R4 tires is a little wider. Be sure to keep a proper ballast on the 3pt when using the loader. You should be fine.

James K0UA

TripleR · Mar 5, 2011

LuvMyTractor · Jun 2, 2011

The Woodmaxx chippers are made in China, the company is very clear about that when you call. http://www.woodmaxx.comTheir chippers are a strong design with a 2" main shaft that runs through the flywheel housing. They offer Made in USA replacement blades and bolts. I hope your situation is improving!

laz · Jun 28, 2011

Ok got a tractor. Anyone know what the size of the lugs for the wheel is?
i think they can be offset a little wider i just need to know the size before i
leave town so i take the right tools.

oh and its a:
kubota L3430 with loader, backhoe, weighted rear tires, and 231.1 hours.

also is there and easy way to figure out if the tires are loaded and with
what fluid?

laz
http://www.cybox.com/~laz/ziggytractor.jpg
http://www.cybox.com/~laz/ZiggyHappyDance.m4v

teg · Jun 28, 2011

Looks like the rears are set it the wide position from the photo... you might be able to swap the two fronts around for a little more but not much.

Grandad4 · Jun 28, 2011

laz said:
Ok got a tractor. Anyone know what the size of the lugs for the wheel is?
i think they can be offset a little wider i just need to know the size before i
leave town so i take the right tools.

oh and its a:
kubota L3430 with loader, backhoe, weighted rear tires, and 231.1 hours.

also is there and easy way to figure out if the tires are loaded and with
what fluid?

laz
http://www.cybox.com/~laz/ziggytractor.jpg
http://www.cybox.com/~laz/ZiggyHappyDance.m4v

Filled tires are supposed to have about 75 % fluid and 25 % air. The tire is rotated so the valve stem is at 12:00, and fluid is added until it just barely reaches the valve stem. To check it, you'd need to take the weight off the rear tires. Then you'd let the air out, remove the valve core with the valve stem at 12:00 and see how far the tire can be rotated before you start getting fluid out. You remove the valve stems, by the way, because tires are often filled with calcium chloride solution, which is heavy but very corrosive to things like metal valve stems. I prefer windshield washer solvent as a filler for that reason; there are other options as well.

This whole job is a general pain in the you know what because the valve stems on the rears are on the inside of the rim so they are less vulnerable. Crawling around underneath a jacked-up tractor with no air in the rear tires doesn't sound like the safest thing to be doing and I'd be inclined to have a pro that does farm tire work handle it. If you need to do it yourself, be sure to find some way to absolutely, positively hold the tractor up (i.e. not the backhoe outriggers!).

Maybe someone with more experience than me has a better way to do it, and I'll gladly defer to greater knowledge, but please be safe!

Great tractor, by the way. That will be the cat's meow for what you plan to do.

laz · Jun 29, 2011

Grandad4 said:
Maybe someone with more experience than me has a better way to do it, and I'll gladly defer to greater knowledge, but please be safe!

Great tractor, by the way. That will be the cat's meow for what you plan to do.

I try and be safe. it works most of the time.

it is a great tractor....it is a way better tractor then i am operator...i just need
lots of seat time digging holes so that it becomes natural and doesn't
require the "ok i want the bucket going that way, now which lever was that?"

laz

YesDeere · Jun 29, 2011

It will come to you. Congrats on the new machine!! Nice looking rig, hope you have fun. I know your youngun was!!

Elkins45 · Jun 29, 2011

Although it won't tell what the liquid is, there's an easy way to tell if they have liquid in them. Move the tractor until the valve stem is at about the 3 or 9 o'clock position and add some air. If they are filled you can hear the air bubbling through the fluid glug, glug, glug.