narrow front wheel spacing

INCase · May 17, 2012

What is the theory behind adjusting the spacing between the wheels on a narrow front end? Obviously the narrower fit between the crop rows better, so what is the theory on the widest setting? Stability?? compaction??

rustyfarmall · May 17, 2012

(quoted from post at 08:51:14 05/17/12) What is the theory behind adjusting the spacing between the wheels on a narrow front end? Obviously the narrower fit between the crop rows better, so what is the theory on the widest setting? Stability?? compaction??

We always set the tires out to the widest stance in the spring, so the front wheels would not fill up with mud in the feedlots. I'm sure there are several different crops, planted in rows, that required the varying wheel spacings.

flambeauone · May 17, 2012

I was always told it was to steer better in mud. Ive always moved them in the seem to steer and ride easier.

JMS/.MN · May 17, 2012

Ditto- grew up with WC/WD tractors with narrow fronts. A few wet Springs we did reverse the fronts for tillage, and yes, the do steer harder that way.

Goose · May 17, 2012

Back in the days when corn was planted with a lister instead of a surface planter, the front wheels were spaced outward to straddle the lister ridge when cultivating the first time, usually with a "go-dig" or "go-devil" as the implement was called. I think it was formally called a "listed corn cultivator".

The first time over, the discs on the go-dig were set to throw dirt out, still leaving a ridge. The second time over, the discs were reset to pull the dirt in to the corn row. The third time was with a regular cultivator.

On the first couple of passes, with the front wheels of the tractor set out, the tracor almost steered itself down the rows.
This was obviously before no-till, when weeds were controlled with cultivation and crop rotation instead of chemicals.

RayP(MI) · May 17, 2012

We cultivated with a front/rear cultivator. Middle rear gang set so it left a ridge right down the middle of the row. Next time over, tractor rode ver nicely, and tracked straddling the ridge. This was before JD brought out Roll-o-matic. But they steered well riding the ridge too.

Adirondack case guy · May 17, 2012

Here also in central NY, mud would pack between the wheels on especially the SC to the point that they would not turn. I remember that the Farmalls had scrapers that could be bolted to their front pedistal to clear the mud.

narrow front wheel spacing

INCase

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rustyfarmall

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flambeauone

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JMS/.MN

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Goose

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RayP(MI)

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Adirondack case guy

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