Wheel spacers, GC series tractors.

[kenmbz]

When using the BH the stabilizers are down and should take most of the down force.
Agree that spacers on front would be counter productive.
Rear spacers make a big difference for me so far.

 

[cdaigle430]

So you're of the school that extending the wheels farther out compromises the axle somewhat? That's a worthy conversation to have, methinks.

Yes from my own experience-there is always the weakest link in the drive train. Its how they are designed before they are manufactured. Compromise is not the best term but def. increased wear and tear on the OEM stuff.

Most of the time modders are okay with that, they dont mind spending the $$ and they do it because they can I think that if I really had to add spacers, I would. So all I am trying to put out there is there can be consequences for this and to be prepared for those consequences. For modding my ATV I was not. If its out of warranty-then go to it

 

[GeneV]

Yes from my own experience-there is always the weakest link in the drive train. Its how they are designed before they are manufactured. Compromise is not the best term but def. increased wear and tear on the OEM stuff.

Most of the time modders are okay with that, they dont mind spending the $$ and they do it because they can I think that if I really had to add spacers, I would. So all I am trying to put out there is there can be consequences for this and to be prepared for those consequences. For modding my ATV I was not. If its out of warranty-then go to it

Yeh I also decided against adding spacers for now...and I'm the o/p on this thread lol.

 

[kenmbz]

People have been using wheel spacers on tractors for years, but agree it adds stress.
However, I have lots of hills with some side trails. With spacers I can transverse them easily.
Traded one risk for another.
I did not load my tires since I didn't want to add a heavier lever arm to the axle.

 

[JWR]

As with most issues like this the answer is "It depends." My experience with the smaller tractors is Kubota (not the GC series) but the issues are about the same. If you operate on hillsides/steep ground getting the rear wheels further apart is the best if not the only way to make your operations safer and more comfortable. If you rarely operate on slopes you probably don't need spacers. There is potential conflict with a mid mount mower (which may place limits on the spacers, apparently reported to be around 2" per side in the GC case.) I had my mower wheel carriers modified on a Kubota and use 6" spacers each side which provide terrific stability. I do not personally believe there is any issue w/r to stress on the tractor. If the thing won't stand some pretty aggressive banging around on the rear axle it isn't durable in the first place. Some say the rear chassis is cast aluminum which might give me pause but that pause would be owning the thing to start with, not adding spacers!
There are several very reputable manufacturers of spacers.

 

[wakeshredder]

I was able to pickup a never used 2326 MMM for my GC1720 yesterday. I added BroTek痴 3 wheel spacers a year and a half ago (or so). I only bought this as a backup if my 60 Snapper were to ever bite the dust, or if it were down when I needed it. Also, I got the mowing deck for $1,500 cash! Well, I couldn稚 resist hooking it up to mow, but I didn稚 want to have to remove the spacers and put the linkage back in. But, I said to **** with it. I started with the linkage, and l removed the loader and backhoe. I decided to wait on pulling the spacers. To my surprise, it fit without removing the spacers! It was tight as can be, but did not rub. Mowed 2 acres in under an hour. Looks great. I will be removing the shroud for better dispersement if the clippings.