Switching wheels from one side to the other?

[Gale Hawkins]

I think I'll try turning them around. If I don't like it I can just flip them back.

I'm embarrassed that I didn't think about load on the steering box.

The load on the steering box is a NON issue 99% of the time on hard or relative smooth surfaces. Trying to disk ground for the first time after breaking it with breaking plows would be stressful with front wheels flipped but who does that anymore.

If flipping works for you then keep doing it. Most of our tractors are going to live longer than we are.

Should you see you want them flipped 100% of the time then you could actually make the front end wider.

Here is the reason we did the flip method really. There is NO need to readjust the toe in each time because you changed the length of the tie rods.:thumbsup:

 

[mars1952]

You could just swap side to side and get enough clearance.

Hi RoyJackson: I have already swapped sides and it is still a little tight. Not just for the chains but the tires interfere with the 3PH linkage when I offset the mower to one side. I also failed to mention that I would like a wider stance for better stability on the hill sides.
Mars

 

[dwost]

I just did my fronts today for kicks. Looks and feels much better. They are now almost flush with my rears an overall has a very stable stance.

 

[chopped]

Does that really stress the front bearings etc as they say?

 

[dwost]

Well due to plain physics when you push out the stress points its going to put more load on the entire assembly so yes it will increase. I'm not concerned considering my tractor is not being used commercially or being put through the rigors of farming,

 

[chopped]

Thanks. I had thought of turning them around for 30 years now lol but have been scared. Mostly because to the loader use...

 

[Lightnsound]

I went ahead tonight and flipped my fronts. I swapped them side to side to maintain proper tread orientation. I think it looks pretty good. The good news is that now the tire doesn't rub the steering linkage when the wheels are turned full left. The bad news is that there's the possibility for a little bit of rubbing between the tires and the FEL frame.

If steering full left while the front axle is pivoted so that the left wheel is as high as it goes there's a bit of rubbing. Same thing if steering is full right and the axle is pivoted so that the right wheel is up all the way. While I wish that rubbing was completely eliminated, I think that this setup is better. It will be seldom that rubbing will occur, certainly less often than every time I make a sharp left turn. Rubbing the FEL frame seems less troublesome than rubbing the steering linkage, which beats up on the ball joints.

I might shave a bit of tread off the corners of the tires to eliminate the problem altogether. I briefly considered putting the grinder to the FEL frame and notch out a little space for the tire, but I'm afraid that this might weaken the FEL frame and cause other problems and/or safety issues. Maybe I can do it if I scab on some plate to reinforce the frame?

The other bad news is that the tire chains which will be delivered tomorrow won't work. I don't mind a little rubber hitting the FEL frame, but V bar chains will chew things up.

Anybody ever try tire studs up front to improve steering in icy conditions? I slide around when trying to turn on the steepest part of my driveway. Its not a big deal, but I'd prefer for the tractor to be as sure-footed as possible.

 

[boggen]

i gave trying to turn on a few spots on my drive way this year and last year using the 555c new holland. and in some cases only way to move snow. is to push everything down towards the road. and when near the road. check for traffic. turn it around hit the throttle and let off the clutch. and make a run for the top. turn around push down. and do same thing. all at the same time hitting left and right back brake peddles to steer.

and to note it. when near bottom hitting left or right brake peddle. to spin the tractor to one side while pushing the snow and some *frowns* gravel into the yard.

for me, the 555c has the backhoe. and the rear end is so heavy. that i can not even reverse back up the hill, i need to physically turn around, and gun it going straight up it.

if i could i would push snow across the road and into the other ditch. but every time i think about it. here comes a vehicle going way to fast on the road conditions. so i use the ice to my advantage and allow the front end to spin around.

if you had 4x4 or MFWD on the tractor. it could help ya with some better traction, but if you have a 2wd tractor. trying to turn on ice with front tires. hasn't worked for me, that or i haven't figured it out yet. to a point i don't get stuck sliding down the drive sideways.

to late in the night, the 555c i have, has a button on the floor. to step on to *arghs* forget the word. it allows for better traction, if a rear wheel is spinning faster than the other one. the slower wheel will start to spin. it helps some but not enough.