Tractor Wheel Orientation - F22D

Daryl Greene · Sep 30, 2015

woolyAcres,
Unfortunately, we have experienced rain all this week so no 'action' shots of me bush-hogging are available. Here is a photo with my new rear 'boots' on! I dropped my tires/wheels off to the tire store on Friday and picked up the freshly mounted units on Monday. I had the quote they had given me earlier in-hand and I was a bit taken back when I was informed of the total cost - it was $41 less than what I was previously given!!! The tires I got were Firestone Super All Traction 6-ply (SAT II) 9.5-24. I did find other prices online that were less expensive but, when including the freight, this option did not look very good... then I would have to deal with the installation charges. For those that are interested, I paid $250 per tire (two purchased) and total cost, including tax and installation labor was $607. I was pleased with this - now, the rain needs to let up so I can go to work.

Here is a link to the tires (sat-ii-23)

One down side is that my brother did a great setup for the bush-hog yet I had to take this off before removing my wheels. I cannot seem to get it back the way that he had it and after searching (and searching) the proper methods of adjusting the top link, I am even more confused about the right procedures. It appears that when this subject comes up, there is a lot of arguments regarding the appropriate adjustments - I may have to wait until my brother can come back and do his magic. The bush-hog I am running is a 4' Ford 951 if anyone has some guidance to share regarding the top link adjustment (I googled the owners manual for this rotary cutter and did not find the answer).

woolyAcres · Sep 30, 2015

Hi Daryl- Sorry to hear about the weather. Hopefully when it stops raining it won't be too wet or muddy to get working. Although with those shiny new tires I can't imagine you getting stuck. Thanks for sharing that info. I'll be in the market for rear tires soon- hopefully not this year. I believe mine are the same size as yours. I'd like to get the widest possible tire that will fit my rims and have the correct circumference/ratio to match the fronts so I don't damage my 4WD.

I've done many acres of brush hogging. Most of it actual brush so I wasn't worried too much about the finished look. When I set it up I do so on level ground. I set the lift-arm height so that the front skids are about an 1" off the ground. I do the best I can to get the deck slightly (1-2") higher in the rear (adjusted by repositioning the rear wheel). The arm to which the top-link connects has some play in it based on the way the brush hog is built. I make sure this play is still there when I adjust the top link. This allows me to lift it when needed (for transport) but when I'm mowing with it, the wheel, in the rear, and the lift arms, in the front, supporting the cutter. This way when the tractor begins going down a slope the top link section is slack enough to allow the mower to follow the contour of the ground.

It's probably better explained here.

It sounds like your brother knows how to dial it in. I'd be interested in hearing his technique.

clemsonfor · Sep 30, 2015

Daryl Greene said:
I went to the property today and looked the wheels installed and it may be most advantageous (in regards to a wider stance) to leave them in the configuration of the valve stem on the inside.

woolyAcres - I looked online and while initially the prices seemed to be better, including the freight made it a different ballgame. My younger brother, a mechanic at John Deere, cautioned me about buying tires at one location and going to another location to have them installed. I pulled the wheels/ties off this morning and dropped them off by the tire store and these should be ready for pickup on Monday afternoon. I was totally shocked at the different in price I received in Huntsville, AL as compared to the rural area (about an hour and 15 minutes away) that was quoted.

I should be doing some nice bush-hogging by Monday afternoon!

they may be in the wide stance now. But if your having new tire put on have them mount the tires on the rims so the valve stems are on the outside to aid in filling ease. they can go either way just depends on how the tires are installed

clemsonfor · Sep 30, 2015

$50 installed seems awfully high if your bringing the tires to them!!! but like you said maybe its your area?

Daryl Greene · Oct 2, 2015

woolyArces,
I printed out your linked document and, along with a page from the correct 'Ford 951 Special Rotary Cutter' page (my earlier searching did NOT yield this result), went to the property today and made the adjustments. This is much better than my earlier attempt but not as perfect as my brother's adjustments. I did feel confident enough, and with a small break in the rain, attempted brush-cutting a small 200 yard pathway for my four-wheeler. I worked out wonderfully! My brother agreed to come by and dial it in as required.

clemsonfor,
I am too new to the tractor scene to know what is a good price (although I did know that the ridiculous price for tires I was given two years ago was... well, ridiculous). What is a fair and reasonable price for installation? I cannot complain about what I paid but I will have to eventually replace the front two tires so I am interested in what the going rate is.

Many thanks!!!!

woolyAcres · Oct 2, 2015

Daryl Greene said:
woolyArces,
I printed out your linked document and, along with a page from the correct 'Ford 951 Special Rotary Cutter' page (my earlier searching did NOT yield this result), went to the property today and made the adjustments. This is much better than my earlier attempt but not as perfect as my brother's adjustments. I did feel confident enough, and with a small break in the rain, attempted brush-cutting a small 200 yard pathway for my four-wheeler. I worked out wonderfully! My brother agreed to come by and dial it in as required.

Hopefully things will dry out in your neck of the woods and you'll be able to get to that brush hogging. Glad that setup helped. I'm very curious to hear what tweaks your brother uses to get it just where you want it. Keep us posted.

clemsonfor · Oct 5, 2015

Daryl Greene said:
woolyArces,
I printed out your linked document and, along with a page from the correct 'Ford 951 Special Rotary Cutter' page (my earlier searching did NOT yield this result), went to the property today and made the adjustments. This is much better than my earlier attempt but not as perfect as my brother's adjustments. I did feel confident enough, and with a small break in the rain, attempted brush-cutting a small 200 yard pathway for my four-wheeler. I worked out wonderfully! My brother agreed to come by and dial it in as required.

clemsonfor,
I am too new to the tractor scene to know what is a good price (although I did know that the ridiculous price for tires I was given two years ago was... well, ridiculous). What is a fair and reasonable price for installation? I cannot complain about what I paid but I will have to eventually replace the front two tires so I am interested in what the going rate is.

Many thanks!!!!

I guess for a big professional shop that is a fair price but i think when i had my guys dismount the tires and install a tube it was like $10 each. Now they did not dismount just took the tire off the bead and pulled old tube out and installed new one.

I would think they would do it all for $20 with a new tire? that price just struk me as high. these are not really big tires if larger i could see that price i guess.

For $50 i think i would of done them myself.