Articulating loader 3" wheel spacer

[TreelineNH]

Love my Gehl Al540 wheel loader. My only complaint is that its very tippy, this is noticed especially on uneven ground. I had a shop machine some 3" spacers to help stabilize the machine. Upon testing around the house, they seem to have definitely helped the way the machine behaves. I will post back once they are further tested.

Before:

After:

 

[jim454]

Let us know how the wheel bearings hold up. That was always the issue with vehicles with offset wheels.

 

[Lumberjack]

I have a customer running dual 15.5" wide tires front and rear on a 540. I don't think a 3" spacer will matter all that much.

 

[classictruckman]

Matter to the wheel bearings or stability?

 

[Lumberjack]

The bearings. Sure it will increase wear, but fairly negligibly in terms of cost per hour.

The increased width will help with stability, it's making the machine ~11% wider.

 

[TreelineNH]

I have a customer running dual 15.5" wide tires front and rear on a 540. I don't think a 3" spacer will matter all that much.

Dang, how do those mount? I think that would be a little much for me. Post a picture if you have one.

 

[Lumberjack]

It bolts on like a wheel, then the wheel bolts to the spacer's lugs.

 

[AmericanArborist]

How much did you spend having those made? I also own a 540.

 

[AmericanArborist]

I have a customer running dual 15.5" wide tires front and rear on a 540. I don't think a 3" spacer will matter all that much.

Carl, how do the duals mount up? What kind of cost to set up duals? Any feedback on them or inputs?

 

[Lumberjack]

They were done by the customer. They used long lug nuts to capture the first wheel, had a ring cut, and used long lugs to bolt the outside to the long nuts that hold the first.

 

[TreelineNH]

How much did you spend having those made? I also own a 540.

$800. I think the 3" will do the trick (6" total), It stands how I would think it should now. First thing I thought when I bought the machine is man this thing is narrow.

 

[AmericanArborist]

i can't imagine using one of these 36" wide articulating loaders. it just doesn't seem safe to me. lumberjack will have to prove me wrong with his giant line. a mini is super stable and much more capable imo. The 540 is great for big wood on nice yards.

 

[Lumberjack]

The oscillation on the Gehl machines makes them less stable in some applications. Avants don't oscillate and are thus more stable in some situations than Gehl. The 254 and 254T both have oscillation and the ability to lock it out, best of both worlds!

The some Giants have the option of something called "Stabilo" which is similar to stiff shock absorbers on the oscillation, which makes the machine more stable while still allowing controlled oscillation.

 

[TreelineNH]

Just wanted to give an update.... These were $800 well spent if anyone is thinking of buying some, or you need to make your machine more stable buy get some. I just finished up a few jobs on hills, and I did stuff I didn't dream of doing beforehand. Also, the machine is much more stable when you have the loader all the way up or partially up to push over trees and such.