Tool Measures Distance Between Front Wheels On Tractors, Cars, And Pickups
 ✖  |
Veryl Reiher, Gillespie, Ill.: "I came up with a tool to help me measure the distance between front wheels on tractors, cars, and pickups, etc., so that I can make correct adjustments to tie rods. I used a 40-in. length of lightweight 1/4-in. dia. pipe and a 3-ft. long, 5/16-in. threaded Redi-bolt with a nut on it. The Redi-bolt telescopes into the pipe.
"The distance between the front wheels ahead of the axle should generally be 1/8 in. less than the distance behind the axle. I measure the distance between the front wheels by loosening the nut and placing the pipe and Redi-bolt between the wheels, then running the nut down against the pipe. When I move the pipe and Redi-bolt behind the axle, there should be a 1/8-in. gap between the end of the Redi-bolt and the tire. This slight amount of tow-in is needed in order to prevent the tractor from wandering and also to save unnecessary wear on tires. It works a lot better than using a tape measure, and it costs far less than commercial units designed to do the same job."
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
Tool Measures Distance Between Front Wheels On Tractors, Cars, And Pickups FARM SHOP Maintenance 25-1-28 Veryl Reiher, Gillespie, Ill.: "I came up with a tool to help me measure the distance between front wheels on tractors, cars, and pickups, etc., so that I can make correct adjustments to tie rods. I used a 40-in. length of lightweight 1/4-in. dia. pipe and a 3-ft. long, 5/16-in. threaded Redi-bolt with a nut on it. The Redi-bolt telescopes into the pipe.
"The distance between the front wheels ahead of the axle should generally be 1/8 in. less than the distance behind the axle. I measure the distance between the front wheels by loosening the nut and placing the pipe and Redi-bolt between the wheels, then running the nut down against the pipe. When I move the pipe and Redi-bolt behind the axle, there should be a 1/8-in. gap between the end of the Redi-bolt and the tire. This slight amount of tow-in is needed in order to prevent the tractor from wandering and also to save unnecessary wear on tires. It works a lot better than using a tape measure, and it costs far less than commercial units designed to do the same job."
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
