L3800 wheel spacing and stability

bambam31

Member

Equipment
L3800HST 4x4,R1,FEL, 6'disc, 5'bush hog,piranhaTB,6'grader,6'rake, 48"forks
Apr 3, 2014
316
26
23
Mobile, AL
I’d like to improve the stability of my L3800. My machine is primarily dedicated to the hunting camp. I’m growing weary of the rocking while navigating bumpy roads and uneven fields. I’m tryin to figure out the best path forward. I have loaded R1 tires and I think I can swap them to give me a little larger foot print on the rears (see pic). If this is true, will this make a noticeable difference? The other options I’m considering are rear wheel spacers or switching to R4’s. I haven’t done any research on the R4 tires but they look much wider than my current set up. Whatever move I make I do not plan to make any adjustments to the front wheels as I do a good bit of loader work. Thanks in advance.
[/url]Untitled by bambam32, on Flickr[/IMG]
 

bambam31

Member

Equipment
L3800HST 4x4,R1,FEL, 6'disc, 5'bush hog,piranhaTB,6'grader,6'rake, 48"forks
Apr 3, 2014
316
26
23
Mobile, AL
I thought a had left my manual at the camp but I found it in my truck so I was able to answer some of my own questions. I looks like my rear wheels are set to the narrowest position. I should be able to change my rear wheel width by about 7” from 43.8” to 50.8”, center to center. According to the manual, I can’t increase the front wheel width.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,783
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113
North of Pittsburgh PA
I could certainly be wrong, but it looks like the setup in the picture only offers one more opportunity to make the wheels wider, perhaps an inch or so per side?

Am I missing something? Won’t be the first time...:confused:
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
I could certainly be wrong, but it looks like the setup in the picture only offers one more opportunity to make the wheels wider, perhaps an inch or so per side?

Am I missing something? Won’t be the first time...:confused:
He's actually in position 4 of 6 he can move them two more steps, by spinning the outer rims and moving them side to side (just to keep the tread going the right direction), then bolting to the far inside of the outer rim. ;)
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
The R4 tires are wider but the rims are not adjustable. On my L series with R4 tires, I installed 3" spacers per side. Big difference.
 

budpat105

New member

Equipment
L3800
Aug 13, 2013
24
0
1
Jacksonville,il
has anyone put duals on a L3800? What would cost be? Concerned with hillside operation. I saw a comparable sized tractor on a landscapers trailer with one dual.
 

Roadworthy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,649
526
113
Benton City, WA
If you're seeking side to side stability, you can move the wheels a bit further out. As far as front to back goes, it would take a tractor with a longer wheelbase.
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
Duals on an L series would be outlandish. The axles probably are not strong enough to support that either. I operate on fairly extreme side hills with 3" spacers on the rear wheels of my L series with no issue.
 

Sammy3700

Active member

Equipment
L3800HST,524Loader,BH77,Landplane,Disk,Mowers and more
Feb 20, 2012
437
41
28
Red Springs, NC
Yup I have duals on my old 8n. Thought of getting the R1s to run duals but everyone and the manual says no. I wanted them for flotation but have been happy with the R4s
 

bambam31

Member

Equipment
L3800HST 4x4,R1,FEL, 6'disc, 5'bush hog,piranhaTB,6'grader,6'rake, 48"forks
Apr 3, 2014
316
26
23
Mobile, AL
Well, it’s been almost a year but I finally got around to moving my rear wheels to the outermost position. It was $80 well spent at the dealer. I took my L3800 back to the camp today and the wider rears made a world of difference.