Toe In on L3400 HST

city_grown · Feb 18, 2007

I have a new L3400 HST with about 20 hours on it. The right front tire(sitting in seat) angles outward that is the top of the tire is out more than the bottom the left side looks straight. I see the adjustment in the manual but will that only adjust the right side tire. The tie rods I guess they are the tie rods do not seem to be damaged only a very small bent but it looks like a factory bend as it in the same spot on both rods. The tire is not out that much but you can tell if you look at it staight on.

JerryG · Feb 18, 2007

Someone should have the specs from the shop manual, but the tires aren't supposed to be straight up and down. It is very rare to have the wrong angle, especially on the 4wd model since the angle is cast in the housing.

rbargeron · Feb 18, 2007

Tractors usually have a couple degrees of positive camber up front - which means the tires aren't vertical, the top leans out a little. Toe-in is about whether both tires are pointing straight ahead. Toe-in should be near zero - the distance between the front tires is the same measured at the front and back. If the front tires toe out, the tractor will handle goofy at road speed. Slight toe-in is ok (like 1/4") Tire wear is a factor - especially running on pavement with a front loader - zero toe-in is best. Most tractors run at low enough speed that precise alignment doesn't have much effect.
Adjustment can be done at either or both tie rod ends. With geared steering, the steering wheel can be "centered" by adjusting both sides - with hydrostatic steering it doesn't matter - the wheel floats. As always, prompt cheerful refund if info is bogus. Take care, Dick B

ccsial · Feb 18, 2007

My L3400 manual pictures the wheels quite cambered. (top of tires leaning further away from tractor) There is no specification or procedure for setting camber.

Toe in (front of tires pointing toward tractor, think pigeon toe) is specified as .08 to .32 inches. Set by measuring the the difference between front of tires (left to right tire) at the bead and rear of tires at the bead.

N80 · Feb 19, 2007

As mentioned, the camber is set by the bevel gear casting and is not adjustable. You have to have the wheels pointing straight ahead, get off the tractor and look at the front from directly in the middle and the camber should be the same on each side. If not, you may have a problem.

The L4400 manual recommends a tiny bit of toe in, just a few mm, at the front.

Edited to add: I bet R1's make the camber setting look more extreme than R4's and turfs.

city_grown · Feb 19, 2007

Here a couple of pics about as straight on as I could get. You should be able to see the left side is out.

638 · Feb 20, 2007

Park it on concrete and then take a picture!!! If you look closely you will note that the rear of the tractor is not setting level.

ron

RobJ · Feb 20, 2007

interesting photos. It almost looks like the toe on the left side (right if sitting) it in a bit to far. this may make the camber look like it;s off more. i'd toe out the left side and take a look. as others mentioned, no other adjustments.

good luck,
rob

rdsaustintx · Feb 21, 2007

Park it on level pavement, then look again.

city_grown · Feb 21, 2007

I happened to be in the area of a Kubota dealer so I stopped in and looked at all the L3400 and L2800 to check. It seem that all of them had a tilt to them. Mine might be out a tad more but not much. Oh by the way I have no pavement out here and don't want to drive down to the street and get hit looking at my tractor.