Rear flat and long axel....

[Richard]

We've got an International 886 (or was it 866...? I keep forgetting)

Regardless, it has the long axel for dual rear tires. The tractor does NOT have dual tires on it so the axel simply sticks out.

I had a flat a year ago & called the co-op out to fix while I was at work. I did NOT expect it to cost as much as it did. I forget the expense but since this is my father in laws tractor that is used to cut his farm.... I prefer to minimize the expense as much as possible. (I try to keep everything maintained, even if it comes out of my pocket)

So... I don't know how to describe this but the axel is sort of shaped like a "C" and along the flat edge of the "C" is a ridge. The wheel slips over the axel but instead of having a hub with bolts to snug up against... this wheel has a "U" shaped piece with bolts that are integral to the sliding hub. This "U" shaped piece allows the wheel to be loosened and slide anywhere along the axel and then to be tightened down.

My basic question is... (apart from how on earth do I loosen these TIGHT bolts )

How do I slide this assembly down the axel? The rear tire (with fluid) has got to weigh a bunch... I won't be able to just pull it off... I DO have a backhoe so I thought I could "crane" the tire with a chain to lift most of the weight... then when the wheel comes off the axel, continue to crane the tire to the bed of the truck. (my backhoe is a full sized industrial)

Part II... upon putting the tire back on, is it ok to put the wheel on the axel on the outer edge?

I'm on some hills and I'd rather have my tires wider if possible BUT I don't want to do that by adding more tires, I'd rather slide these out if I can.

If it IS ok to slide the tires out on these axels, what if I can't slide the other tire? (the bolt holding the "U" clamp look to be buggered up). Is it ok to have ONE tire on the outside of the range with the other tire on the inside of the range?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I have some suggestions to get you started. Penetrating oil and a good grease are going to be your best friends on this project. Put the penetrating oil on the stuck bolts and bang on the side of the bolt/nut. Do this repeatedly for a few days before you really get started. Do the same thing inbetween the hub and axle. Then, grease the axle good right before you start the process of removing it. The first inch will be the hardest, and then the grease should start to work and it will get a lot easier.

Jack the axle up to take the weight off the tire. I don't know if lifting the tire with the Backhoe will help or not. I think not. It may just put additional stress on the wheel so that it resists the lateral movement.

Putting the wheel on the outer edge of the axle should be fine, but you should probably have both wheels in the same place on their respective axles.

Good luck! Keep us posted how you are doing.

 

[midstatetiresystemstx]

For starters the inside wheels were designed to stay in that spot, the wedge/gear-axle system is mainly for the outside wheel spacing for row crop spacing clearance. Moving the inside tire out to compensate for duals would stress the axle in a unsupportive manner. For this design was made to run dual tires. As u can see by todays machines they have gone away from this nightmare system, it simply was not cost effective. It will be more cost effective for u in the future to have a farm tire service repair it on site or air it up to load and take it in to save additionaly. There have been many instances were we have had busted bolts, nuts, a stripped axle gears, preventing us from making timely repairs due to this design. A good farm tire service company can reverse the drop center to the outside without taking the gear system off-only the outer wheel shell (if possible) if the drop is on the inside part of the machine for better/faster accessablity. We have did this for several of our customers to speed up the repair process. A boom truck also makes this easier. Your better farm tire services will run boom trucks for more timely repairs. Furthermore a last resort to gain more footprint as u stated with your same wheels would be converting to a larger section width / lower profile radial tire.

 

[Richard]

Here's an update....

We simply hauled the tractor to the shop and are letting them do it!

It's nice having a brother in law (who's father owns this tractor) who has a flatbed!!

 

[AndyMA]

Here's an update....

We simply hauled the tractor to the shop and are letting them do it!

It's nice having a brother in law (who's father owns this tractor) who has a flatbed!!

I'd love access to a flatbed.

Andy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's an update....

We simply hauled the tractor to the shop and are letting them do it!

It's nice having a brother in law (who's father owns this tractor) who has a flatbed!!

How'd this turn out? Did you leave the Wheels spaced where they were?