front wheel questions????!

[twiisted71 50]

I"m sure its been asked but I can't find it specifically (yep I searched).  I see that there were 2 different rim width used. 8" diameter x 4" and 6" wide if I read correctly.  Are the hubs the same width? i.e. will either fit on the same spindle?  I'd like to put on a set of 3 rib fronts and since my current tires (16x6.50-8s) are pretty dry rotted and splitting I'd like to try to find a set of the narrow ones and get them ready before my current may-pops POP!  I have a C-81 by the way.  Anyone have a spare set of the narrow rims they'd turn loose of?  Please PM me if so with particulars.

 

PS anyone running the R4 style rears?  I love them on my Kubota L2501 as even with a front loader they don't mark up my yard unless its really soft.  And they give great traction unless in blue gumbo (clay) mud.

 

PPS. Are there other wheel sources to acquire the 3.75-4" wide wheels with the correct hub width?

Edited July 5, 2020 by twiisted71

[Lee1977 6,857]

The standard hub width on the later model Wheel Horses is 3 3/4". Don't know exactly when they changed but some of the earlier one had a 4 1/2" hub.

The above is the hub width without the bearings. Some used a spacer on the inside of.narrow hub wheels that are easier to find.

[ebinmaine 68,742]

11 hours ago, twiisted71 said:

other wheel sources

Lincoln at A to Z tractor in PA may have some.

 

 

[twiisted71 50]

Hmmm. i'd pretty well talked myself into a set of wheels and tires from Miller tire but the wheels to fit the 4.80-8 3 rib tires have a 3" hub.  I'll have to get out and pop one of mine off and see exactly which I have.  Since everyone has commented on how interchangeable through the years WH parts are, I'd hoped the spindles were one of them.

[ebinmaine 68,742]

4 minutes ago, twiisted71 said:

Hmmm. i'd pretty well talked myself into a set of wheels and tires from Miller tire but the wheels to fit the 4.80-8 3 rib tires have a 3" hub.  I'll have to get out and pop one of mine off and see exactly which I have.  Since everyone has commented on how interchangeable through the years WH parts are, I'd hoped the spindles were one of them.

If the wheels you buy are narrower than the existing wheels you can simply put a spacer between the wheel and spindle to compensate.

 

[twiisted71 50]

16 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

If the wheels you buy are narrower than the existing wheels you can simply put a spacer between the wheel and spindle to compensate.

 

Yes I'd just hoped to be able to keep the wider bearing spacing from a physics standpoint.  Thanks for the tip on A-Z tractor.  What I'd actually been hoping for was a list of other tractors with 3/4" bearings, similar hub widths, and the narrow wheels to fit the 4.80 tire.  I'm into 4x4s, early Broncos, Jeeps, diesels and boats.  Most of those forums I'm on have FAQ pages that list all the specs for different models, parts interchangeability between models as well as parts from other mfrs that will work to keep the "obsolete" stuff going indefinitely.  As long as these mowers have been around and the somewhat cult-like following they have, I'd assumed there would be a compiled database on "what fits" but I've yet to find it.  Yeah I know what it is to assume!

[Lee1977 6,857]

There are so many interchangeable part between Wheel Horse models that it's just not worth while to make list.

[twiisted71 50]

32 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

There are so many interchangeable part between Wheel Horse models that it's just not worth while to make list.

In those instances the accepted M.O. is to list the outliers.  For example most sites list categories by component (not model) then will say something like Widget (*) fits all except these models with option (##).  They are invaluable to newbies to the hobby as well as experienced members who are doing something new to them without having to make yet another post asking something that has been answered 100 times yet is nigh on impossible to weed out using the search.  I've seen examples in the very short time I've been a member of people here with troves of information already compiled in chart or list formats. Who is to say when or if those individuals will see when the next person has the same question?  This is a great site and I understand gathering and organizing these types of information from reputable sources is time consuming (at the best), I was just passing along what I've seen and helped contribute to on other sites.  Alas I'm a complete neophyte to Wheel Horse lore, so unable to contribute much of anything specific to them.  Anything mechanical, medical, nautical, motorcycle, automotive, diesel, or BS related though I'm very likely to chime in!

[ebinmaine 68,742]

I agree with the "list" idea.

Your C81 may have slightly longer spindle ends than an earlier model to accommodate wider wheels.

IMHO, although I understand and agree with your point in the physics of wanting a wider bearing spread my practical experience shows me the extra 1" or so wouldn't be an issue unless using something at the outside edge of capabilities like a loader.

 

@WVHillbilly520H runs those R4s on something he owns and likes them.

 

I prefer the more aggressive true AG tires BUT we have no concern over lawn damage or compaction so I'm not the best opinion giver there.

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,374]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

@WVHillbilly520H runs those R4s on something he owns and likes them.

 

I prefer the more aggressive true AG tires BUT we have no concern over lawn damage or compaction so I'm not the best opinion giver there.

 

I mow grass ,plow/till gardens ,grade driveways and snow removal all with true R1 AG tires (fluid filled with iron weights to boot) on my main go to 's I don't worry about lawn damage or compaction I worry about Traction period. Yeah I have two SCUTs both have the industrial R4 tires not because I wanted something in between a turf and R1 but to use a mid mount mower deck on these it's either R4s or Turfs as true R1s don't work with the MMM according to the manufacturers ... traction is less than R1s but better than turfs and I have 4WD as well plus a FEL that just wears the turfs down.

[SCHAFLOR 18]

On 7/5/2020 at 4:24 PM, twiisted71 said:

In those instances the accepted M.O. is to list the outliers.  For example most sites list categories by component (not model) then will say something like Widget (*) fits all except these models with option (##).  They are invaluable to newbies to the hobby as well as experienced members who are doing something new to them without having to make yet another post asking something that has been answered 100 times yet is nigh on impossible to weed out using the search.  I've seen examples in the very short time I've been a member of people here with troves of information already compiled in chart or list formats. Who is to say when or if those individuals will see when the next person has the same question?  This is a great site and I understand gathering and organizing these types of information from reputable sources is time consuming (at the best), I was just passing along what I've seen and helped contribute to on other sites.  Alas I'm a complete neophyte to Wheel Horse lore, so unable to contribute much of anything specific to them.  Anything mechanical, medical, nautical, motorcycle, automotive, diesel, or BS related though I'm very likely to chime in!

I am a newbe here and i agree with Twiisted71's point. A lot of information to find here but as we say here in Belgium 'you can't see te forest through the trees'. I have also spent some time searching for info of interchangable parts that fits different models. I rather don't want to bother anyone by asking something that already has been asked or that i could have found when searching a lot longer. It is all time consuming right.