Walt H
Member
What is the reason behind not reversing the front wheels on a 4wheel drive?
Reversing wheels
- Thread starter Walt H
- Start date
- Views: 4537
RobS
Super Member
Do you mean reversing the tread pattern to help with reverse traction, or reversing the wheel offset for stability? Or both?
RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
- Messages
- 15,190
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
Dishing the front rims out places excessive loads on the axle bearings.
PILOON
Super Star Member
My Mitsubishi has all 4 wheels reversed to widen the track for stability.
I purchased it used in that configuration.
I have owned/operated that way for 12 years and use my FEL to max and so far had no issues related to wide stance.
And all 4 wheels were loaded as well.
(did not reload fronts when I replaced them)
I purchased it used in that configuration.
I have owned/operated that way for 12 years and use my FEL to max and so far had no issues related to wide stance.
And all 4 wheels were loaded as well.
(did not reload fronts when I replaced them)
Yeah, given a choice between trashing axle bearings and roll-over... Let me think about that.
I'll get back to you - if my tractor doesn't roll over today, or blow out it's front axle bearings.
jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 21,059
- Location
- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
- Tractor
- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
I think Walt may have been referring to taking the left and right front and swapping them so the tread pattern provides traction in reverse instead of going forward. I think in some applications, this could improve loader work if wheel slippage is a problem when the bucket is full. The only problem I see with this is that the front wheels provide a lot of your forward power when using a loader while in 4wd. It appears you would be trading one advantage for a disadvantage and it would probably even out. I prefer to have all my traction available in a forward direction and just lower my FEL load if I'm having a problem going in reverse. I would say that Walt should try it and see if it gives him what he is looking for. If it works for him and he is happy, then all he has to worry about is people kidding him about having his wheels on the wrong sides.
RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
- Messages
- 15,190
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
If you need a wider front tread width to keep from rolling your tractor, you probably will dump it over anyway.
Now if we were talking about rear axle tread width, I'd agree.
The information I posted is correct. Whether you like it or not doesn't matter to me.
carpenter383
Platinum Member
I agree, the center of gravity is on the center of the front axle because the front axle pivots in the center. So widening the front wheels wouldn't help prevent a rollover unless the axle was pivoted against the stop and by then it's prolly too late
.....I would'nt do it if it were me, but to each his own.I don't (need a wider track than standard), but mine are reversible, Ags and R4s often/usually are.
Turfs are rarely reversible, often/usually they are on single piece rims, so while you COULD flip them backwards (valve in vs valve out) on the same side, you usually can't mess with the dish (spider, whatever you want to call the bit in the middle) and it's attachment to the actual rim.
In case it wasn't obvious, my previous post was somewhat in jest.
RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
- Messages
- 15,190
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
Problem is, humor and sarcasm work much better spoken than printed. If you were serious, I would not apologize for jumping down your throat. But as you seemingly were making a humorous comparison of the value of some tractor parts and human well-being, I'll say sorry for taking offense.
Lone Oak Landscaping
Silver Member
Thats more like it ... nice to see tractor folks sticking together
Well, actually I reversed them for more stability. Been that way since the second day I had it. Didn't like the feeling of having one rear wheel off the ground when I went sideways on the hill with the FEL loaded. Doesn't do it now. As far as bearings wearing out, hasn't happened yet. I was more concerned about the housing breaking. But the question remains, why can you reverse the rear but not the front. Rear bearings don't break, but fronts do?
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,904
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
The safest thing is don't go sideways on the hill with a loaded F E L .
gerard
Veteran Member
Are your rears loaded?? I went for years without loaded rears and had a few three wheel moments (and not on very steep slopes either, amazing how tippy you can get with a load of wet sand). I finally got the tires loaded with rim guard when getting the 800 hour service done and now kick myself for waiting that long. Stability increase was huge. I have not even had a tire start to lift since then. If yours are not loaded I'd highy recommend it.
Someone already mentioned the sideways on hills no-no, worse with a loaded bucket, worse yet with unloaded rear tires.
It is a bit puzzling (to me).
Is this a NH specific warning to not reverse them for a particular model ?
Is this only for R4s ? What does the manual say about R1s ?
Turfs are not much of an issue - not very desirable for FEL work either, which is what you said you are doing.
Given that rears are reversible, flippable and usually configurable to maybe 8 different combinations (2x2x2) I have always believed that on a tractor used in field work you would want SOME adjustment of the fronts to match the rears and have some row capability.
At least in the case of R1s
Here are some similar links:
