953 nut 55,189 #1 Posted March 31 Power adjustable rear tractor wheels The general-purpose tractor offered the opportunity to perform many chores with one machine. Plowing, discing, mowing cultivation and harvesting of crops were all accomplished with the same tractor. This versatility had one slight downside; the rear wheels had to be at different widths for some of these tasks. For plowing the rear wheels had to be in the furrow. For cultivation they had to be outset to span two rows of corn or other crops. When harvest time came around the read wheel width had to be decreased so they wouldn’t run over the rows of crops being gathered. Most tractor manufacturers had dished rear wheels which could be reversed to accomplish the change of rear track. However, this entailed removing both rear wheels and moving them to the opposite sides of the tractor to maintain the correct direction of tread. When you consider the weight of a tractor tire and wheel assembly this is not to be taken lightly (pun intended). Some tractor makers offered extended rear axle lengths which allowed you to loosen the two-part split hub and slide it to the desired width without having to remove the wheel assembly. This too was a labor-intensive task especially after the axles and hubs has seen some wear. My uncle had a shop-made tool, somewhat like a BIG harmonic balancer puller, that helped pulling the wheels outward and a couple of chain falls were used to draw them back inward. Both of these operations entailed the use of a BFH tool to persuade the hub to move. In 1948, Allis-Chalmers developed the first power adjustable rear wheels on a farm tractor. This technology appeared on the model “WD.” By loosening a few bolts, locking the brakes on the opposite wheel, and selecting the proper gear the operator could move the rear wheel to the desired position. Each side will have stop blocks bolted in place so the wheel will stop at the desired position. What had been a laborious job became an easy task. 6 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,422 #2 Posted March 31 43 minutes ago, 953 nut said: 1948, Allis-Chalmers developed the first power adjustable rear wheels on a farm tractor Another bit of information I learned. Never having been directly involved with farm tractors I never knew this existed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Streetrodchev 798 #3 Posted March 31 1929 John Deere GP with experimental adjustable rear tread width. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
