Reversing 2910 front R4 for wider track

hayden · Jul 13, 2001

I was removing my front wheel (R4 on a 2910) to fix a flat last week and noticed that the hub in the rim is off-set from the center of the wheel track. This is very common, but it got me wondering about reversing the mounting on the wheels so the front tires have a wider track and wider stance for the tractor for improved stability.

Has anyone tried this? The air valve would be in the inside and might be a nusance to access, but it looks like it would work. My tires (titans) have a specific rotation direction so the wheels would have to be moved to opposite sides to preserve the direction.

My field mowing involves some rather unnerving slopes and the prospect of a wider stance is always attractive.

Peter

Bird · Jul 13, 2001

Peter, I don't really know why you couldn't do that; however, I think you'll find in your Operator's Manual the same information that my B2710 has on page 37.

WHEELS

Front Wheels
Front tread can not be adjusted.

Important:
Do not turn front discs to obtain wider tread.
In setting up the front wheels, make sure that the inflation valve stem of the tires face outward.

Rear Wheels
Rear tread can not be adjusted.

OK, so someone tell us why the manual says that's important.

Bird

glennmac · Jul 14, 2001

There are no brakes on the front wheels, right. Maybe something to do with the steering arms.

Rch · Jul 14, 2001

Wouldn't widening the footprint by flipping the center dish of the wheel around put more leverage on the axle/bearing? On my Ford 1910 there is a section in the owners manuel that lists all the variations of reversing the center wheel dish, front and back, along with connecting the dish to the off-center brackets on the rear rim. In fact one of the main differences in agriculture models is just that- varying the width, front and back for row-crops.
I remember several years ago a particulary wet Fall and a farmer used something like a 24" length of just the right diameter culvert to add duals to a large combine so he could do his soybeans. The added leverage broke the axle housing casting and he went up to the house and shot himself ! Four wheel drive small(2910?) tractors don't have all that much heft to the the front spindle and maybe the manufacturer feels it wont take the forces involved. Just speculating.

RCH

GlueGuy · Jul 14, 2001

That's possible. Also, changing the width between the front wheels would also change the turning geometry. I don't know if that would be a problem, but it's probably worth noting.

The front axles on newer Kubotas are pretty beefy. If you compare 10 year old Kubotas to the ones made today, there is a substantial difference in the front axles. This leads me to believe that Kubota beefed it up for a reason, that maybe there are more forces at work on the front axle than we might first imagine. Widening the width would increase the forces, and might be a step backward.

The GlueGuy

Bird · Jul 14, 2001

All the responses make sense; don't know if one or more is the actual reason. I wouldn't have thought just turning the wheels around would be a big enough difference to hurt anything; but with my implements, I don't want to change mine anyway.

Bird

frank_f15 · Jul 14, 2001

DON'T KNOW FOR SURE but it may have someting to do with the proper ratio of the front wheels to the back wheels.like when u change one tire size(back) u need to change front tire size. just guessing here, but seems like it colud be an answer why not to do it. check with the dealer

jdkid · Jul 14, 2001

Hi ya's
well alot of the bigger tractors with split rims(center can be removed )can be changed ,it may change ya steering a bit but i don't think by much. it will load ya axles up a bit more tho most owner books say "IF" useing a FEL keep wheel setting as close as pos to hubs (kinda like if ya lift a big box ya hold close to ya chest not at arms lenth) as for changeing ratio if they are the same tires nothing changes .
catch ya
JD Kid

allmobile · Jul 14, 2001

Reversing the front wheels will cause premature bearing, seal, or axle failure. How premature depends on the operator and conditions. You have to weigh out whether it is worth the extra stability.

Brian