REAR WHEEL EXTENSIONS

dirtworksequip · Jun 4, 2006

Does anyone have any experience with using wheel extensions? I just purchased a JD 3520 w/cab and have scared myself twice in 20 hours of use.(rollover) I was thinking of extending rear wheels by 1 to 1.5 feet. I had a JD 870 for 10 years (2200 hours) Not that I had never been in a bad situation with it,but I could go just about anywhere I needed. Already just traveling around with the 3520 I can see that I am going to have to be extra cautious. If anyone has had similar experiences with a 3520 or has modified their tractor in someway to help with stabilizing it, I would like to hear from them. Thanks, Jim

dirtworksequip · Jun 4, 2006

Does anyone have any experience with using wheel extensions? I just purchased a JD 3520 w/cab and have scared myself twice in 20 hours of use.(rollover) I was thinking of extending rear wheels by 1 to 1.5 feet. I had a JD 870 for 10 years (2200 hours) Not that I had never been in a bad situation with it,but I could go just about anywhere I needed. Already just traveling around with the 3520 I can see that I am going to have to be extra cautious. If anyone has had similar experiences with a 3520 or has modified their tractor in someway to help with stabilizing it, I would like to hear from them. Thanks, Jim

GeneD14 · Jun 5, 2006

( I was thinking of extending rear wheels by 1 to 1.5 feet. )

I would ask the dealer if it will void your warranty. Extending the wheels out puts more strain on the axles. If one gets bent or breaks will it be covered?

GeneD14 · Jun 5, 2006

( I was thinking of extending rear wheels by 1 to 1.5 feet. )

I would ask the dealer if it will void your warranty. Extending the wheels out puts more strain on the axles. If one gets bent or breaks will it be covered?

dirtworksequip · Jun 5, 2006

Gene, guess I was not considering the warranty factor.That is a good point. I do realize that the extensions are going to put more strain on the rear axles. That is why I was wanting to know if anyone here had any experience with wheel extensions.If I do decide to go with them I will go with the shortest ones that will give me the tire footprint I need. The warranty point is a good one. Thanks

dirtworksequip · Jun 5, 2006

Gene, guess I was not considering the warranty factor.That is a good point. I do realize that the extensions are going to put more strain on the rear axles. That is why I was wanting to know if anyone here had any experience with wheel extensions.If I do decide to go with them I will go with the shortest ones that will give me the tire footprint I need. The warranty point is a good one. Thanks

Hooked_on_HP · Jun 5, 2006

I'm not sure on your tractor but most have adjustable rear wheels. By either sliding the hub out or by the spacing on the rims. Yours mite already be out all the way.What are you doing when it gets tippy.

Hooked_on_HP · Jun 5, 2006

I'm not sure on your tractor but most have adjustable rear wheels. By either sliding the hub out or by the spacing on the rims. Yours mite already be out all the way.What are you doing when it gets tippy.

dirtworksequip · Jun 5, 2006

Yea, they are already turned out. You only gain 1.7 inches on the rear by turning then to wide positon. My old JD 870 had 7 different widths you could set the rear wheels at. What am I doing when it gets tippy? Hanging on and cussing! No, just kidding. The one time I was carrying a large rock on the front forks. The second time I was just traveling and ran over a small rock in some weeds. Guess I just need to be extra cautious. If I had rolled that time I would have done a 2-1/2 sideways twist into the pond. 10-10-10.( score) Just receive prices on 6" extensions from Unverferth. $272.00 That would give me an extra foot.

dirtworksequip · Jun 5, 2006

Yea, they are already turned out. You only gain 1.7 inches on the rear by turning then to wide positon. My old JD 870 had 7 different widths you could set the rear wheels at. What am I doing when it gets tippy? Hanging on and cussing! No, just kidding. The one time I was carrying a large rock on the front forks. The second time I was just traveling and ran over a small rock in some weeds. Guess I just need to be extra cautious. If I had rolled that time I would have done a 2-1/2 sideways twist into the pond. 10-10-10.( score) Just receive prices on 6" extensions from Unverferth. $272.00 That would give me an extra foot.

Hooked_on_HP · Jun 6, 2006

Have you thought about filling your rear tires. It lowers your center of gravity and makes it more stable. If you do a search for filled tires you can get a lot of info.

Hooked_on_HP · Jun 6, 2006

Have you thought about filling your rear tires. It lowers your center of gravity and makes it more stable. If you do a search for filled tires you can get a lot of info.

AndyG · Jun 6, 2006

Do the centers detatch from the rims? My New Holland has 4 rear wheel spacings. I can turn the centers in or out then turn the rims in or out on the centers. Make sure that you can't get them any wider. Have you looked into putting duals on? I know a guy near hear with a little Allis that he put on a set of steel wheel duals that are slightly smaller than the rubber tires. He said that the steel wheels would touch if the tractor tipped. the steel wheels do not touch the ground during normal operation. I'm not sure how good his set up works but it is an idea.

AndyG · Jun 6, 2006

Do the centers detatch from the rims? My New Holland has 4 rear wheel spacings. I can turn the centers in or out then turn the rims in or out on the centers. Make sure that you can't get them any wider. Have you looked into putting duals on? I know a guy near hear with a little Allis that he put on a set of steel wheel duals that are slightly smaller than the rubber tires. He said that the steel wheels would touch if the tractor tipped. the steel wheels do not touch the ground during normal operation. I'm not sure how good his set up works but it is an idea.

dirtworksequip · Jun 6, 2006

I've never really been a big fan on loading tires. Don't know why. Maybe because of rims I've seen ate up from calcium. I know you can use anti freeze. Thanks for the suggestion.

dirtworksequip · Jun 6, 2006

I've never really been a big fan on loading tires. Don't know why. Maybe because of rims I've seen ate up from calcium. I know you can use anti freeze. Thanks for the suggestion.

dirtworksequip · Jun 6, 2006

Duals are going to be too expensive. Although that would probably add the most stability. I might check out what it would cost. Thanks for your input.

dirtworksequip · Jun 6, 2006

Duals are going to be too expensive. Although that would probably add the most stability. I might check out what it would cost. Thanks for your input.

Slamfire · Jun 7, 2006

After laying my tractor down on its side, I got a set of wheels from a salvage yard. They charged me $350 and made me take the tires as well. I then made up some flanges and put them on drill pipe. I needed new lug bolts for the increased distance, but bolted the spacer and one wheel to the hubs in the close in position. Then bolted the outers in the spread position to the spools. I put 12 psi in the inner tires, about right for my tractor's weight and 8 psi in the outers so they'd sag a bit and reduce the load on the wheel bearings. So far, I haven't felt like it was going to roll again, even when I checked the angles of my built in tilt meter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Slamfire · Jun 7, 2006

After laying my tractor down on its side, I got a set of wheels from a salvage yard. They charged me $350 and made me take the tires as well. I then made up some flanges and put them on drill pipe. I needed new lug bolts for the increased distance, but bolted the spacer and one wheel to the hubs in the close in position. Then bolted the outers in the spread position to the spools. I put 12 psi in the inner tires, about right for my tractor's weight and 8 psi in the outers so they'd sag a bit and reduce the load on the wheel bearings. So far, I haven't felt like it was going to roll again, even when I checked the angles of my built in tilt meter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif