Wheel Spacers - L3400 HST

Gem99ultra · Dec 13, 2012

I have a Kubota L3400 HST w/FEL 4WD, R4 tires. It seems a little unstable on slopes. Actually - more than a little! So, I was thinking about adding 2" spacers on back. Anyone had experience with this and added spacers? And drawbacks to that?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jim

Sammy3700 · Dec 14, 2012

The only thing I see is it will add more stress on the outer axle bearing because you are extending the axle. Someone had some pictures of wheel spacers a few months back. Maybe they will come along.

k0ua · Dec 14, 2012

Do you have loaded tires? If not that will make your L3400 much more stable on slopes. And proper ballast on the 3pt when using your loader will help too. I don't have my L3400 any more, but I live in Branson, Mo. and we have two kinds of ground here, UP and DOWN.

When I loaded the tires, I noticed a positive difference on side hilling when I mowed the back yard. And it is pretty steep. With my ballast barrel and the loaded tires, I felt pretty safe with the L3400. When it was delivered new it was no fun to use around here.

James K0UA

CWB · Dec 15, 2012

I just put 4" spacers on the rears of my BX25. They've made a big difference on our very hilly property. I wish I'd done it several years (and many close calls) ago!

john_bud · Dec 15, 2012

Does it not have adjustable rims? Or is it a one piece rim and center?

k0ua · Dec 15, 2012

john_bud said:
Does it not have adjustable rims? Or is it a one piece rim and center?

The R4 tires/wheels he has are not adjustable.

Gem99ultra · Dec 15, 2012

Yes, I do have loaded rear tires. The R4 rims, as K0ua said, are not adjustable.

Like your Branson property, mine's either updhill or downill

k0ua · Dec 15, 2012

Gem99ultra said:
Yes, I do have loaded rear tires. The R4 rims, as K0ua said, are not adjustable.

Like your Branson property, mine's either updhill or downill

Well if you are still having trouble, then the spacers may be the answer..Several of the guys here have put 2 inch spacers on the L3400 for chain clearance, without any adverse results. I am sure that would also make a positive difference in your feeling of safety.

James K0UA

outoftractorluck · Dec 15, 2012

I installed the Kubota spacers on my L3400 for chain spacing. Only gives you about 1+1/8 each side. The dealer ordered me the Kubota "kit" which was just the spacers but then there is a "kit" of longer studs for the kit. Not a small dealership but it took them a while to figure it out. About $300 in all. I'd try to find spacers somewheres else if I had to do it again.
Worst part was removing the wheel nuts. Kubota Loctited the nuts. Could'nt break them loose with a 4' crowbar extension. Needed an impact wrench in the end. Old studs came out surprisingly easy. If your wheels are loaded you'll need a dolly or something to pull the wheel out, install the spacers, push the wheel back and get it aligned right. Whole thing took me a couple of hours with some help.

Gem99ultra · Dec 15, 2012

Thanks for that info outoftractluck. I am going ahead with the wheel spacer project. I've order a set of 2" spacers from Bro-Tek, which also was about $300. Bro-Tek spacers simply look a lot more professionally made than any others that I've seen on the internet.

I am taking a shortcut though - and that is having my local Kubota dealer install them for me. I don't think I have enough grunt to handle a 500# tire, even with a dolly. Cost for that is only about $50 though.