If your wheels are adjustable to increase or decrease the track, if you set it for maximum track width for stability, would it increase the stress on axle components and increase the chance of parts failure?
Adjusting track with wheels.
- Thread starter afret
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Technically, yes. However, one would hope that the strength needed is engineered into the machine as long as it is operated with reasonable care and the width does not exceed factory specs.
Years ago it was common for people to turn the wheels around to make them wider and more stable. Seen lots of knuckle/kingpin seals leaking, and failed hub bearings and seals. Local kubota guy swore that "widening" them was the root case as they were not designed to handle the extra stresses on the knuckles and hubs. Speaking of 4x4 stuff only, and under 50hp. I think all the newer stuff will be fine, they've come a LONG way since the 1990's 
This opens up a can of discussion. Widening front wheel stance does little or nothing for stability, it is hard on front end components. Old or new machines.
Widening the rears,adding ballast are two things to improve stability. Even a few inches will make a noticeable difference.
Widening the rears,adding ballast are two things to improve stability. Even a few inches will make a noticeable difference.
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Some of the larger L's, MX's, and M's offer adjustable front wheels, but most do not, and it is not advisable to do so if it didn't come from the factory with the option.
Now as far as stability, you can very little if any stability from a wider front as the front axle pivots, almost all the stability come from a wide low back end.
Now as far as stability, you can very little if any stability from a wider front as the front axle pivots, almost all the stability come from a wide low back end.
I don't know my Kubota's that well, but on domestic brands, the adjustable front was to match row width for cultivating, spraying, picking rock etc. on row crop after emergence. They could also be run out to better straddle a windrow when used with a baler without an offset pickup.
Many of those adjustable front ends extended the axle tube. Wheels and spindles had the same relationship to one another.