Wheel Spacers installed

[dieselcrawler]

I made these spacers that go between the wheel center and outer rim a few months ago. Gave up on nice weather and paint... today they went on. Gained 4.5" per side.

 

[dieselcrawler]

After the install. Hillsides here I come! 3 got sandblasted and painted last fall. The rest will get paint come spring or summer.




Left side before, for comparison.

 

[LindenBruce]

WOW, did that ever widen your rear stance. Nice job. B.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Yeah... I think I might move the fenders out some too! Not only would it make the proportions right, I could gain 6" on each side of space beside the seat for a tool box, etc.

 

[dieselcrawler]

View from outside...

 

[LindenBruce]

Boy, that's the good old 70's deep dished rims hot rod look that's for sure. I would think you would need something to cover the tires to help keep sling dirt off of you. Will you have to build a frame to move the fenders out? B.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I dont do much high speed mud flingin with the tractor... tires were mostly outside of the fenders before so not much diffrence in that area.

I was looking at the brackets needed to space the fenders out earlier today... it can be done but the additional levrage on the stock mounting brackets has me concerned.

 

[jimainiac]

Wow, that sure seems like some out of the box thinking on spacing the wheels out! Had you ever seen that done before, or did you invent those spacers all on your own? You're certainly right that it will give you lots more stability on sidehills, and who wouldn't love that.
Are you worried at all about the extra stress on the axle bearings and the axles? It would make me nervous, but hopefuly the axles are tough enough to take it. Really profesional looking job on the spacers.

 

[Bob77064]

Good job.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Thanks for the compliments... yes I thought about berring stress and wife stress... figured I could replace berrings a lot easier than my wife and kids could replace me.

Not sure where I got the idea... dont recall seeing them anywhere... just knew that wheel wobble tolerances would be less of an issue than making one that fits at the lug bolts. With some time thinkin and some metal... here ya have it. Additional stress on the berrings is the same no matter how the wheel gets farther from the hub.

Now its almost a "square" tractor... 62" wheel base, 59" c-c wheel track... 70" o/s to o/s.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Found this pic from before welding... bracing between the 3/8" plates with the 5/8" holes was added. Welding was done with a hobart wire feed w/gas. I made a jig to insure they were all the same and so the holes all stayed in line. No test fitting was done and they bolted right up with no issues.

 

[sixdogs]

Those spacers are really pretty creative and sure look strong enough. How have they worked out for you?

 

[dieselcrawler]

Had to check the date on the first post, forgot how long it's been since I put the spacers on... just over 5 years now, and I've never taken them off to paint them... work great...

 

[LukyNumbrkevin]

Had to check the date on the first post, forgot how long it's been since I put the spacers on... just over 5 years now, and I've never taken them off to paint them... work great...

I bet the other ones have more mud/dirt showing than paint anyway. Just make sure they dont rust because those are nice looking. I take it since you have never taken them off that they work great? How does she handle on hills?

 

[dieselcrawler]

On a sidehill, I've had it at an honest (checked it with angle finder) 30º often. I find that I can actually turn around on hills that are too steep to mow when wet. I go really slow, so a bump doesn't turn into rebounded momentum that throws the COG off the wrong way... over. And over. And over.... as I barrel roll into the holler.

With the added weight up high due to the roll cage I've built, the extra width compliments it with the added stability, and future plans include additional rear wheel weights, just to lower the COG a little more.

Included a pic of some firewood work a week or so ago.

 

[Henro]

I know this is a late question. Nice job by the way!

But you refer to installing them unpainted. I keep looking back, but they seem painted yellow to me, except for the picture taken during fabrication.

What am I missing regarding the paint?

 

[dieselcrawler]

I got 3 painted before install, the others were raw. Naturally, I took pictures of the painted ones...

 

[Henro]

I got 3 painted before install, the others were raw. Naturally, I took pictures of the painted ones...

:thumbsup:

 

[Texasmark]

Thanks for the compliments... yes I thought about berring stress and wife stress... figured I could replace berrings a lot easier than my wife and kids could replace me.

Not sure where I got the idea... dont recall seeing them anywhere... just knew that wheel wobble tolerances would be less of an issue than making one that fits at the lug bolts. With some time thinkin and some metal... here ya have it. Additional stress on the berrings is the same no matter how the wheel gets farther from the hub.

Now its almost a "square" tractor... 62" wheel base, 59" c-c wheel track... 70" o/s to o/s.

Very nice, work and functional idea.

Adequately lubricated bearings are capable of heavy dead weight stresses. What tears up a bearing is impact shock. Don't believe that take a hammer to a bearing race and see how quickly you can break it. Besides the capability of the bearings in that tractor far surpass the weights and lateral stresses caused by hillside mowing at slow speeds (as stated herein)..... Opinion based on common sense and experiences).