Floating Wheel Prevents Axle Breakage

Floating Wheel Prevents Axle Breakage Farmers who ve tested it say a new spring-loaded floating tractor wheel virtually eliminates axles breakage with dual wheel hookups I think it has real possibilities reports Al Kirchof Westport Minn who put 130 hours on a prototype floating wheel during a recnet field test In addition to preventing broken axles it seems to give better footing on rough ground Encouraged by the floating wheel s performance in a variety of on-farm trials the inventor -- Ambrose Molitor Sauk Center Minn -- and Greg Gran president of Brooten Manufacturing Brooten Minn are moving full speed ahead to get it into commercial production Here s how it works: Twelve large springs support the center hub allowing it to float up to 7 in in any direction if the wheel strikes a rock or other obstruction or drops into a hole or rut Individual springs are installed partially compressed If the wheel hits a rock for example the springs compress about 1 in per 500 lbs of impact force according to Molitor Because the springs absorb the shock you don t have to run the outside dual with less air pressure to prevent axle breakage Molitor points out And you can pull scrapers and other heavy loads on sidehills without worrying about snapping an axle In fact you can even weight the outside dual and run it way out on the axle to get better traction or the right row spacing without undue concern about axle breakage On 4-wheel drive tractors says Molitor the floating wheel helps make for easier steering He thinks the first priority should be to use floating wheels on the outside pair where dual or triples are used It may pay to use them all the way around for certain jobs where axle breakage or traction are a problem because of rocks uneven terrain heavy loads and so forth If you d like price where to buy and other information sent to you when the wheels become commercially available contact: FARM SHOW Followup Brooten Mfg Brooten Min 56316 ph 612 346-2201

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