L185DT - Dualies!

[gpreuss]

I put these dualies on my 185 about 30 years ago.....







http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/album.php?albumid=131

 

[284 International]

Wow, neat! It's good to know that you have used it for that long without any trouble, especially with that style of axle configuration.

How did you attach the outer wheels?

I built a set of spools for my Yanmar YM2000, a comparable machine to your L185 of about the same size but with a bit more power. I used a leftover set of tires that are a bit smaller (8.3x24 rather than the 9.5x24) but in soft ground, where they are needed, they bit just fine, and added a significant amount of weight when filled:

I ended up taking them off, since I found the width too cumbersome for my orchard, and added 360 lbs of wheel weights instead. The Yanmar was originally designed for a set of duals on it, or a weird paddle wheel arrangement for use in the rice paddies.

I bet your tractor is tremendously stable with the additional width, mass, and traction.

 

[kcservak]

Yes that is very cool I would like to know how you did it as well I have a 185 I would like to do that to.
keith.

 

[gpreuss]

At the time I did this I had both time and some $$. An L245DT was initially $4400, the 185DT was $4000. All I REALLY wanted was a wider stance, and maybe a bit more traction. The 245 would have given me both - it had adjustable wheels and a size or two larger tires. I think I spent $600 - $700 on the project.
Back then I made my own studs. I had the local steel shop cut the spacers and flanges, then I did the drilling and welding.
So you have to get a couple of wheels, and tires.
Have a local shop cut the spools. Buy or make studs (I just priced grade eight 16 x 1.5mm all thread at $85 for a 3' piece - you'll need two), nuts & bolts. By the time you do all of that, there is a guy on EBAY that will build you a set of spacers for about the same money.
I was going to use my old wheel weights to build up 2-1/2" spacers for the new L3200 - ended up with the guy from EBAY. He did a super job. Anyway, pictures of the flanges and spool piece are now with my original album. If you decide to do this, have a ball. I sure did.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/album.php?albumid=131