Bro-Tek Wheel Spacers

[johnjk]

I finally got a free Saturday to work on my B3200. Did an oil/filter change and installed a set of front and rear Bro-Tek Wheel spacers. The product is really well manufactured and came with everything needed minus some red Locktite. Richard at Bro-Tek was quick to respond to questions as well. The instructions were well written and it took around 20 min a corner to get them installed. No photo's of the front since I forgot and the spacers are hard to see when the front wheels are on. The only change I did to the instructions was to use an impact wrench to remove the nuts/bolts to remove the wheels. I was a bit hesitant on the rears since they are loaded and quite heavy. No issues at all with being able to get the wheel off and prop it against the wall. Going back on was easier. Just rotate the hub by hand to line up the studs, get the wheel in position and start the lug nuts over the washers and lock washers. Hopefully we get enough snow this week to run her around and play for a bit. Will recheck the nut torque post play as well.

 

[SidecarFlip]

My only comment is, you are putting a lot of rotational stress on the axles by running them out that far. I'd be cognizant of that when working the tractor. Those axles are't all that heavy from what I see.

Glad I can space my rims and tires (front and rear) by just changing the mount locations.

Good luck with your modification.

 

[85Hokie]

Those 2 1/2" rears? - look great and you will notice a hellva difference on the feel of the tractor.

ON the front......what 1"? Dont want to get too far on those fronts, especially if you are getting near the width of the bucket.

I bought spacers from them 5 years ago - great company and great spacers. I cannot imagine NOT having them on!

 

[johnjk]

SidecarFlip, I do not have the option of changing the spacing on my front or rear wheels. The joys of a B series. With the Bro-Tek spacers, they push the wheels out 1.5" in the front and 2" in the rear for a total of 3" additional front and 4" additional rear stance. The spacers rest snugly on the hub lip that the wheel rests on and are machined to have a ridge to support the wheel. I did not take a picture of that. They are solid machined aluminum which should wear well and transfer the load evenly to the hub. Having spent a few years working in a machine shop, I was impressed by the quality of their product. Thanks 85Hokie, the fronts with the spacers installed are well within the width of the bucket. I'll have to pop in the garage and see if I can get a shot of the front tonight. I'm looking forward to playing around with it and see how it feels. I do not run a belly mower so no issues there for me. Basically I wanted a bit more stability when mowing the ditches at the front of my property and from what I read here from other Bro-Tek users, I should get that with these spacers. Would love a larger tractor that has adjustable wheels, but it is not in the budget....

 

[SidecarFlip]

SidecarFlip, I do not have the option of changing the spacing on my front or rear wheels. The joys of a B series. With the Bro-Tek spacers, they push the wheels out 1.5" in the front and 2" in the rear for a total of 3" additional front and 4" additional rear stance. The spacers rest snugly on the hub lip that the wheel rests on and are machined to have a ridge to support the wheel. I did not take a picture of that. They are solid machined aluminum which should wear well and transfer the load evenly to the hub. Having spent a few years working in a machine shop, I was impressed by the quality of their product. Thanks 85Hokie, the fronts with the spacers installed are well within the width of the bucket. I'll have to pop in the garage and see if I can get a shot of the front tonight. I'm looking forward to playing around with it and see how it feels. I do not run a belly mower so no issues there for me. Basically I wanted a bit more stability when mowing the ditches at the front of my property and from what I read here from other Bro-Tek users, I should get that with these spacers. Would love a larger tractor that has adjustable wheels, but it is not in the budget....

I know you don't. In fact the M's are the first Kubota tractors I've owned with adjustable rims. I just think (maybe wrongly) that spacing the wheel outward puts more strain on the axle and my axles are totally enclosed to the hubs in castings, not exposed like yours.

Hope you never have an issue. They (spacers) to look nicely finished and stout.

 

[johnjk]

I could see how moving them out any further may cause issues with added stress to the axles. I believe it being more of an issue if the spacers were not tight to the hub, out of round or structurally deficient (cracks, bad casting, etc). That being said, I will definitely be keeping an eye on it. Thanks for bringing it up as a possible issue.