Two or Four Wheels on the Rear?

[WHGrizzy 0]

I am trying to buy everything I would need for my rebuid on my Wheel Horse before I start on it this winter. I have a 312-8 that gets used the most as a dozer and a garden machine. The only time I mow with it is around the pond were I know I can trust it not to get stuck.

I would like to put dual rear wheels on the back for more traction, I am sure that some of you guys have done this before and would like some inmput on how it works. I also plan on adding weights to wheels to help out. As allways thank you for your information and your time.

[Brian1045 28]

Some may differ, but a single set of turf style tires, weights, and chains are hard to beat when it comes to snow.

Most people who run "dual" tires mostly run "ag" tread. From what I've heard from other members, chains don't work as well with ags. :omg:

[WHGrizzy 0]

That is what i am planning on i s putting ag tires on it, that is what it currently has on. If you won't be a bunch of added traction then I am not going to pursue it. Thanks for the info.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,139]

I have run dual 23x8.50 ag's on a tractor and it doesnt help traction at all. What it will do is help with stabilty which is why guys with Wheel Horse front end loaders use them. I supose if the pond you mow around has a steep bank it would be helpful there.

The duals spread the weight out over a greater surface area thus the lack of better traction (more weight = better traction). If you go with duals and add a wheel weight to the outer rim you run the risk of axle damage. I think someone on here posted pics of a snapped axle on a 520 with duals. I used fluid filled inner tires and my outer ones just had air.

But if your looking for a cool look duals are the way to go .

Mike...........

[linen beige 15]

I have a 702 I use mostly for pushing and digging dirt. When digging I use dual rear ags with chains on the inner ags. Now here are some tricks to making this work. The outer ags are not quiet as tall as the inners so they don't really touch unless the inners start to dig themselves a rut. Then the outers add flotation and some traction to keep it from digging itself in. This set up gives me single ag traction when needed (the outer ags and dual adapters actually act as wheel weights when they aren't on the ground), dual ag flotation when needed, and dual wheel stability without the constant added strain on the axles and hubs.

The chains are slightly loose so they flex and knock any mud or packed snow from the inner's treads. One side of the chains is trapped in place between the inner and outer wheels so they don't spin free. I have used it to plow snow and it does a fair job with snow. This past winter I got to use it to plow ice. I took the duals off and ran single "snow tread" turfs. It did much better with these on ice. I didn't even use the chains.

The other guys are right about duals not being for traction. If you double the amount of rubber on the ground you have to double the weight just to break even. Duals are for stability on uneven ground or flotation on soft ground.

Oh yea! They look pretty good too.

[pfrederi 18,639]

You have two different traction requirements. For soft muddy areas you want flotation so duals would help. (not sure you want o add much weight, you will make ruts and if teh mud is deep may just get mired....)

For snow and ice work you want to maximize the weight on a smaller foot print...Think old time dedicated highway dept snow plows (or airport plows)

They all used singles with chains.

As to chains with ag tires you need to add links between the cross chains to get chain over the lugs. I plow with a full size 1953 Case DC tractor in the winter. She was not worth much on ice until I added chains. With chains and wheel weights she is great.

[can whlvr 994]

I have duals on my 300 series and just love it.I built my own adapters that add 40 lbs without the wheels,i have chains on all 4 tires,and have found that in mud this thing is almost unstoppable,but i did just break the drive belt,first time ive broken that belt,so i do think that it is probally harder on the machine than singles,but i like it and think it looks really mean and tough!!!just my two cents :omg:

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Some food for thought here from a few weeks back.

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8952