How measure tire width/setting?

Kevin Tree · May 20, 2012

How do I measure the width of the current setting of the tires on my tractor? I'm trying to figure out if my tires set for 30 inch rows or 36 inch rows.

I'm going to plant about 5 acres in soybeans and cultivate it (instead of spraying pesticides)

The guy who is going to plant it, says his equipment is set up for 30 inch rows.

Now I'm trying to figure out if my IH 544 is set up for 30 or 36 inch rows, so I can run it down the rows of planted soybeans.

How would I measure this? From the center of one front tire to the center of the other? Then calculate if that number is a multiple of 30 inch or 36 inch?

Then do the same for the rear tires?

Also, where can you buy older equipment, like a 4 row cultivator? Anyone know where are dealers that sell older equipment, in north Missouri or southern Iowa?

Thank you

Dean Olson · May 20, 2012

I measure from the center of the tractor to center of each tire on all 4 corners.

36" for 36" rows, 30" for 30" rows etc.

You want the over all width, center of tire to center of tire to be 72" for 36" rows and 60" for 30" rows.

I'm have a Farmall Super C that straddles 2 rows. If your tractor can't be adjusted down to those widths, set it up to straddle 3 or 4 rows.

Badger08 · May 20, 2012

Kevin, what model of tractor do you have? Let us know and sure someone will know. But on my John Deere 50 in the back of the battery box there is a small notch which is the center of the tractor. Simply measure from there to center of the rear tire and you have your row spacing. Mine are at 38 inches. If you have the manual for your tractor it would tell you in there probably where there is a point to measure off of.

gene bender · May 21, 2012

On your 544 just measure from center of tire to other tire across. Your cultivating will not kill bugs as you say you want to avoid pesticides. Finding a rear mount for your model will be a challenge.

riverbend · May 21, 2012

A three point cultivator should not be too hard to find. Do you have anyone in your area who runs a tractor repair shop / junkyard ? Ask the old guy at the parts counter at your local tractor dealership. I have had good luck putting an ad in the local paper too.

Gene is right about the bugs. Depending on what was in the field last year and what is being grown around you aphids could be a problem. The University of Minnesota has done some work a couple years ago. It looks like neem can be fairly effective.

It is funny that after 40 years of spraying herbicides that there are any weeds left to cultivate out.

Greg

soybean aphid powerpoint

sflem849 · May 21, 2012

Your cultivator size needs to be divisible by the size of your planter. I would guess the planter used is a 12 row, possibly a 6 row. If it was a 12 row you could build a 4 row and have it work. If he planted with a 6 row you can not cultivate with a 4 row.

There were "no" 4 row narrow cultivators in production. It would be like finding a 3 or 4 row narrow corn head. They are around, but nearly impossible to find. I would personally find a 6 row and take off shanks until I had a 4 row. I would guess your tractor could handle a 6 row since it isn't much smaller than a 3020. I have seen 6 row cultivators on 3020s. To buy one you go to an auction, craigslist, local paper, or farm paper. Not many dealerships will have a used 6 row cultivator. It is usually between you and the scrap man at the auction.

To determine your spacing use a tape measure. Your tires don't need to be dead center in the row, but I would run them in the middle third.

Bud DeLong · May 21, 2012

When you say cultivator it could be modern/? S tine or the old stiff leg iron/junk.IH/Noble?? made good ones an White are also good.Just watch out for worn bolts/bushings.Bud.

the tractor vet · May 21, 2012

IF he is going to look for qa cult. they do indeed make 4 row narrow , BUT a 4 row on a 544 really is more then that tractor will want . We run a 4 row narrow three point and the best tractor for the job is my 806 with the narrow ft. and at least 750 lbs on the nose . with the tires set dead center in the row. Once you line the nose up with the center of the row you NEVER LOOK BACK ( if you do you will wipe out about fifty feet of what you cultivating , Just ask my buddy about this as HE wanted to cultivate one year and he did not listen to me as he just has to look around at everything and when his head swivels around so does the steering wheel ) We tryed the cultivator on the 720 Deere with weight on the ft. and our 4 row behind it was a case of the tail wagging the dog. A two row on a 544 would be more then enough if his fields are more then table top flat.

Allan in NE · May 21, 2012

Dead center of one tire to dead center of the other should measure 60". Front and back.

Allan

Bud DeLong · May 21, 2012

A 544 will not handle a 4 row?? I used a 4 row S tine on 3 point with a 200 IH for years! Bud.

gene bender · May 22, 2012

How can you straddle three rows and cult four with a three-pt cult

How measure tire width/setting?

Kevin Tree

New User

Dean Olson

Well-known Member

Badger08

Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

riverbend

Well-known Member

sflem849

Well-known Member

Bud DeLong

Member

the tractor vet

Well-known Member

Allan in NE

Well-known Member

Bud DeLong

Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

Similar threads