Dually, pros and cons.

[adsm08 2,064]

So as part of my clean-up I'm getting rid of unused tractors. Since nobody seems interested in buying the 800 Special I have I'm probably going to strip it for parts.

 

This got me thinking about duallys since the wheels and tires on the back of the 800 are the same as my 855 that I use to plow in the winter.

 

Now it seems that adding twice as much tire on the drive axle should net me twice as much traction, although that's only a concern in low-traction conditions, as as the bar tender from Trouble with Tribbles said "Twice nothing is still nothing". On the other hand, just mocking everything up, it looks like the duals might make the already less-than-fun chain installation less fun, and possibly require removing at least the outer wheels.

 

And since I mow with this same tractor turning radius and side-clearance are also factors to consider. It looks like this might increase turning radius.

 

So what are the pros and cons of this modification? If I already have the wheels and tires is it worth it?

[ri702bill 8,326]

I would NOT use dual wheels on an early tractor with 3 bolt rear hubs. Those are a weak link. Better to go with full circle 5 bolt hubs.....

[ebinmaine 67,530]

Pros:

Looks cool to some. Me included. 

 

Cons:

You could potentially REDUCE snow traction.  Not increase it. 

Snow/ice traction is all about pounds per square inch of down pressure. 

Want more snow traction... Add more weight or ice cleats. 

 

Another thing to carefully consider is the levering effect on the axle by the outside tire. 

You do have a legitimate concern for breaking the axle if the outside tire takes all the weight of an already heavy machine.  

This can be reduced by running the air pressure lower. 

[Ed Kennell 38,181]

Pros                                                             

1. they look cool

2. traction may be better on ice

 

Cons

1. In many cases,  they reduce traction  in mud and snow

2. Wheel width may be wider than the blade or blower

3. more bending moment on the axle and hub

[ri702bill 8,326]

19 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

You could potentially REDUCE snow traction.  Not increase it. 

Snow/ice traction is all about pounds per square inch of down pressure. 

Want more snow traction... Add more weight or ice cleats. 

A narrow 6-12 snow tire is more effective than an 23-8.50-12 tire in snow - narrow tire sinks in, the wider one rides on top...

[c-series don 8,708]

I had duals on my C-141 loader tractor. Although it definitely helped with the stability it didn’t help the axle bearings. Storage was another issue, it definitely takes up more room with the duals. Years ago I cut down some tire chains from a tractor trailer that spanned both wheels! That I must say not only looked really cool but also worked well. I have the tire chain tool which is absolutely necessary when working on chains. Since I got a two stage blower I really don’t use the loader tractor in the snow anymore. I agree that a tall skinny tire is the best for snow. 

[JoeM 7,874]

duels decrease the pound per square inch. thought that was the reason for using them to not compact the soil??? 

 

[adsm08 2,064]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

I would NOT use dual wheels on an early tractor with 3 bolt rear hubs. Those are a weak link. Better to go with full circle 5 bolt hubs.....

 

Mine is 5 bolt rears.

 

But given the issue of the weight distribution, which I hadn't considered, I may just keep those wheels/tires for spares.

[Lee1977 6,662]

A  old round hoods with 6x12 R1 duallys looks good, but that about it.

The only reason large farm tractors use them is they will pull the same equipment one gear higher then the singles. So getting the field done quicker is the only reason that I know.

[kpinnc 12,065]

2 hours ago, Joey Small Block said:

duels decrease the pound per square inch. thought that was the reason for using them to not compact the soil??? 

 

Duals increase floatation by decreasing pounds per square inch. Other than aesthetics, they are only useful where stability and floatation are needed. Like a muddy field, pulling an oversized implement. 

 

Duallies on a truck do the same thing. They spread the load out over a larger area. 

[squonk 41,121]

With duals it's easier to run over your own foot or someone else's. You also have to pay attention you don't hook something like a flag pole or drive thru your wife's Tulips with the outer wheel

[WHX?? 48,821]

14 hours ago, ri702bill said:

would NOT use dual wheels on an early tractor with 3 bolt rear hubs.

Beg to differ Bill... 'Course this 702 sees more time on trailer boards than dirt! 

Edited September 1, 2023 by WHX??

[kpinnc 12,065]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

wife's Tulips

 

Likely one of the only things I can do wrong on a tractor that would cause my untimely demise... 

[ri702bill 8,326]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Beg to differ Bill... 'Course this 702 sees more time on trailer boards than dirt! 

 

That Round Hood is way too purdy to be working in the fields.

No Prom Queens here, all the girls get tasks for all four seasons to earn a spot in the garage......

Bill

Edited September 1, 2023 by ri702bill

[squonk 41,121]

2 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Beg to differ Bill... 'Course this 702 sees more time on trailer boards than dirt! 

At first glance I thought that was a cobweb on the RT. outer tire! 

[WHX?? 48,821]

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

That Round Hood is way too purdy to be working in the fields.

Sad part is it did use to! 

[ebinmaine 67,530]

7 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

Likely one of the only things I can do wrong on a tractor that would cause my untimely demise... 

That's just wrong.  

How's it your fault she'd put 🌹🌺🌺🌹 🌷🌷 in a place where the tractor is clearly supposed to be??!!??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't tell her I said that..... 

[ri702bill 8,326]

4 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Sad part is it did use to! 

Just as Cecil and Elmer intended......

[SylvanLakeWH 25,577]

They look cool...

yes - Storage is trickier...

I did it anyways...

 

 

[kpinnc 12,065]

5 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

That's just wrong.  

How's it your fault she'd put 🌹🌺🌺🌹 🌷🌷 in a place where the tractor is clearly supposed to be??!!??

 

Well, I'll let you talk to her next time. 

 

...and so you know, she's a better shot than I am! 

[Ed Kennell 38,181]

[ri702bill 8,326]

I'm still waiting for a picture of a tractor with dual rears that has a DECENT homegrown set of rear fenders to cover them. Not washtubs cut apart...

Edited September 2, 2023 by ri702bill

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

  Cool look factor is why I did it. This one doesn’t do any work, just carts me or anyone else (like @wallfish in this pic) that uses it around tractor showgrounds. 

[Ed Kennell 38,181]

31 minutes ago, Sparky said:

me or anyone else (like @wallfish in this pic) that uses it around tractor showgrounds. 

Much safer for old wobble guys that tend to tip over.

[wallfish 17,000]

On 9/2/2023 at 6:23 AM, ri702bill said:

I'm still waiting for a picture of a tractor with dual rears that has a DECENT homegrown set of rear fenders to cover them. Not washtubs cut apart...

Ask and you shall receive! LOL

This one had dual 6-12s on it. Probably not what you meant but the fender is definitely homegrown and covers them.

 

 

Snow blower side wings just happen to be a nice fit for the rear too. Back rest pipes were above because the possibility of a canopy top but that never happened.

Can't believe this was done way back in 2012. Seems a lot less than that! Then a clone was done and still think'n about doing another one.

 

Edited September 4, 2023 by wallfish