Wheel Spacers

[IndyIan]

Are you going to use the backhoe mostly then? Digging stumps, bushes? I've mowed a few hills where I couldn't go across them, and I kept the rear end downhill the whole time. That is with fresh sharp R1 tires on grippy grass, so it didn't slip. I guess I can see using a box blade on those slopes, but it would be all pushing downhill, and if the soil was too damp, it would be too slick to do safely. Keeping the back end down, saves you from bumping the 4wd off or forgetting and going for a ride straight down.

Depending on your slope, the roughness, gritty or clay soil, and what you want to, it maybe quite tricky to work there with your tractor? It's not the ideal place to learn anyways! Start at the bottom for a trial run and see what you think, ideally you try to run the backhoe with the tractor level, but some amount of slope will be fine, just not too much! You don't want to be able to flip the tractor over the outrigger just with a mistake on the hoe controls... As you will make lots of mistakes.

A small dozer will flatten out a slope much easier and safer,

 

[WinterDeere]

Are you going to use the backhoe mostly then?

Not the OP, but the fact that my property is so hilly, has been one big factor holding me back on the purchase of a backhoe for my 3033r. It just seems stability would be very difficult to maintain, with that big arm sticking up 8 feet in the air, while driving around.

WRT wheel spacers, I'd guess anyone running them with a backhoe is going to want to be doubly sure the outriggers are taking most of the stress from the hoe. Wheel spacers put a lot of extra stress on wheel studs/bolts, etc.

 

[Bentrim]

As a kid on the farm I would always set the wheels as wide as possible when I had to mow on steep hills. Always hated plowing on steep hills as the wheels had to be set narrow to match the plow. That said never say the dirty side of the tractor pointing anyway but down.
As I aged and learned I found that certain models of tractors offered extra long axles and wheel centers. When they were installed the axle housings and axles were made heavier than the standard length axles.
As for axle extensions remember the engineers designed the axle, bearings, and housings for a specified weight. When the wheel is spaced farther out on the axle just as a lever would more stress is put on these parts. If a new tractor be aware warranty may be voided, especially if heavy rear implements are used. Most front axles are already on the weak side. most I have seen have an offset rim so the weight centered between the bearings. Some manufacturers even limit the allowable weight a loader can lift.
Before widening the wheels consult the operators manual, the dealer, or even the manufacturer. A broken axle could result in more than a pucker.

 

[tundraman01]

Without running outside to check, I think my model is a 2360. I have 2" spacers and filled turf tires. Most of what I do on a slope is mow with a mm 60". Would I get more or less stability with the loader on or off and with a weight box on or off?

 

[Jaygyver]

As far as "weighted axle", as in actual weight's mounted to the axle/wheel or filled tires?

Weights bolted on the wheels/axle or frame reduces your axle weight cap total. Basically affects the smaller sub-compacts more. So if you have 500lbs of weights bolted to the axle/wheel then subtract that from the cap so now you can only use what was left from the total.
So that's why the manufacturer says not to over load the loader when you have weights on.

Filled tires, beet juice, etc, does not take away from the axle cap, it's considered unsprung weight. It can affect your starting and stopping tho, you still have mass. Your axle capacity is unaffected.

Regarding wheel spacers or weights, Ya'all are thinking too hard on some of this, you're not in a pickup with a fully loaded bed going down the hi-way at 80 mph. Unless you're carrying maxed out loads 24/7 7 days a week across your very bumpy fields then the wear is minimal. Yes it can go bad but common sense is still required on most things.