Wheel Spacers

[Kubota 2350]

I have a JD 3046R cab model and would like to add wheel spacers of 4" per side on the rear, anyone see a problem with this causing axle damage with the wider spacing, and more added stress on the the trans?

 

[beenthere]

I added 3" to each side, and would estimate your 4" would depend on what you might do with your Deere. I suspect there is a limit to what length spacer can be added..

I've experienced no problem with 3"

 

[Kubota 2350]

Did the 3" make the tractor more stable, these things are expensive so I only want to do this once.

The dealer sells 5" but they don't recommend using them

It's not too bad the way it is, but having it more stable is a plus

 

[jeff9366]

Have you already spread your rear wheels?

 

[THS]

I've read online that John Deere rescinded the wheel spacers for the 3r series maybe a year or two ago, said accelerated testing showed spacers affected durability. I'm not sure if the use of them are "discouraged" or flat out "prohibited". I think it might have something to do with the aluminum housings in the rear. You can Google it to find the stories. I know people are using them tho.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Have you already spread your rear wheels?

Have R4's not sure if there spread or not

 

[jeff9366]

Spreading your rear wheels will be more cost effective and stability effective than installing wheel spacers.

It's not too bad the way it is, but having it more stable is a plus

My Kubota L3560, about the same size as your JD 3046R, has variable rear tread width from 52.2" to 57.7" with R4 tires. Your Deere should have about the same adjustability. (Tread width is from center line of tire to centerline of opposite tire. Outside to outside width will be wider.)

I am NOT an expert on Deere compact tractors.




John Deere 3046R

2014 - 3R Series
Compact Utility tractor
Previous model: John Deere 3720
Series back: John Deere 3039R

Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Augusta, Georgia, USA

John Deere 3046R Engine:
Yanmar 1.6L 3-cyl diesel
John Deere 3046R Power:
Engine: 46 hp [34.3 kW]
PTO (claimed): 34.1 hp [25.4 kW]

Capacity:
Fuel: 11.8 gal [44.7 L] (Cab)
13.5 gal [51.1 L] (ROPS)
Hydraulic system: 6.8 gal [25.7 L]
Front axle: 5.1 qts [4.8 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: I
Control: position control
Rear lift (at ends): 2530 lbs [1147 kg]
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 2200 lbs [997 kg]
Front Hitch: 0
Front lift (at ends): 1300 lbs [589 kg]
Front lift (at 24"/610mm): 815 lbs [369 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Clutch: electro-hydraulic
Rear RPM: 540 (1.375)
Mid PTO: independent*
Clutch: electro-hydraulic
Mid RPM: 2100

Dimensions & Tires:
Wheelbase: 68 inches [172 cm]
Weight: 2900 to 3570 pounds
Front tire: 7.00-14
Rear tire: 11.2-24

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x4 MFWD 4WD
Final drives: helical gear
Steering: power
Brakes: wet disc
Cab: Two-post foldable ROPS. Optional cab with air-conditioning.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 6.8 gal [25.7 L]
Pump flow: 8.6 gpm [32.6 lpm]
Total flow: 13.9 gpm [52.6 lpm]
Steering flow: 5.3 gpm [20.1 lpm]

Page information:
Last update: August 23, 2018
Copyright: Copyright 2018 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[Citydude]

I have 6" spacers on each side of my L2501. 200 hours and no issues. I did have them on an L3400 that I ran 400 hours with no issues. Worth every penny for the stability they provide.

 

[dragoneggs]

I can't speak for bigger tractors but the 2in spacers in the back, and 1.25in in the front made a world of difference on my SCUT. Could have gone with 2in spacers in the front as well... but it kind of made me nervous looking at the axle/suspension up front. I think the other reason I limited the fronts to 1.25in was if I ever got a MMM there would be interference.

 

[sunnyside360]

I installed 2" spacers on each side of my JD 3720 about 10 years ago and have had no issues after over 600 hrs. Put them on to improve stability while mowing on steep side hills. Made a huge improvement with 4 inch wider rear wheels.

 

[Deere Dude]

Have a 2010 3720 with 4" on each sire with R4s. 850 hours and no problem. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I either have a 7' finish mower on it or a weight box on all the time and did plenty of digging and grubbing with rocks, gravel and dirt. Skid Steer Solutions weights are 2" think so I put 2 sets on. Locktited all threads..

 

[beenthere]

The 3" spacers made the 4300 much more stable, and such that woods work is quite comfortable now.
I'll still pay close attention with a FEL load at any elevation when on a side-hill.
I would also do it again in a heart-beat.
I'll accept the risk of some mechanical issue rather than risk a tip-over.. one is less life threatening
or heart-stopping than the other.

 

[sunnyside360]

Have a 2010 3720 with 4" on each sire with R4s. 850 hours and no problem. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I either have a 7' finish mower on it or a weight box on all the time and did plenty of digging and grubbing with rocks, gravel and dirt. Skid Steer Solutions weights are 2" think so I put 2 sets on. Locktited all threads..

Skid Steer Solutions --- same ones I got, 2" on each side and also Locktited all threaded bolts.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Think maybe I'll go for the 2.5, maybe even the 3", kinda shying away from the 4".

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Would really like to add wheel spacers for my steep property but have been told it voids your warranty on some tractors.

Novel idea: How about tractor manufacturers make SCUTS with a wider stance since a lot of small property owners have slopes to deal with. We're not farmers with 1,000 acres of flat land!

 

[Deere Dude]

Would really like to add wheel spacers for my steep property but have been told it voids your warranty on some tractors.

Novel idea: How about tractor manufacturers make SCUTS with a wider stance since a lot of small property owners have slopes to deal with. We're not farmers with 1,000 acres of flat land!

They do but you need to add spacers. Look how beefy those rear ends are on those things and just go for it. I have never heard of anyone who added spacers who had a warranty problem or of a dealer stating it would be voided. Someone posed a query on this forum that if anyone had problems attributed to spacers to speak up, but nobody said they had a problem.

 

[beenthere]

GWWT
Tractors are now made in all sizes.. and being "narrow" prolly is by design.
And meeting up with their competition for markets is likely what motivates/dictates the design, along with cost.

 

[spitter]

I have 4" wheel spacers on a tc 29d turfs filled with beet juice an a 1,000 lb counter weight .500 hrs. on them no problems. Turned a sketchy ride into a piece of cake.:cool2::drink:

 

[rbtjr]

We put 4" spacers on each side of the rear of our L3800. I first asked our dealer rep if this would cause any problems. He checked with the dealership's service people and said that this should be okay. We had no problems and the stability was significantly better. We had R4 tires and on the L3800 with R4s the width of the rear wheels can't be adjusted, which is one reason why we put on the spacers. But, if I had your JD I would both check with your dealer and research as much as I could to see what the official JD advice is.

 

[jeff9366]

Novel idea: How about tractor manufacturers make SCUTS with a wider stance since a lot of small property owners have slopes to deal with. We're not farmers with 1,000 acres of flat land!

In order to place the front and rear tires on the right side in the previous furrow when pulling a moldboard plow, the centerline of the front tire must be inline with the centerline of the rear tire. Plowing was the primary application for tractors until Roundup was developed by Monsanto.

This accounts for the rear wheel spread of tractors when delivered by dealers. If you want rear wheels spread wider, you need to request same.

"Wide & Low" tractor formats used to be offered. Wide front & wide rear. Turning radius opens quickly and more stress is put on a wide front axle. Not sure, but I do not believe Wide & Low tractors could fit Loaders.

Power Trac, Ventrac and Steiner, each with equal size wheels all around, are far more stable on slopes than traditional tractors but tractors lose tractive power without large rear wheels.

Power Trac, Ventrac and Steiner have articulated steering, rather than axle pivot steering, which becomes necessary when heavy work will be done from the front of the tractor. (Front end loaders ('Payloaders'), used in construction, also have articulated steering.)