Steel Mud Wheels Walk In Water

Steel Mud Wheels Walk In Water TIRES/WHEELS Miscellaneous 5-1-21 "Dryland" farmers who think they know how to handle mud may want to take a long look at these narrow steel wheels which one manufacturer, who serves rice farmers and other making their living farming in mud, is now offering as the answer to negotiating sticky situations. "Using flotation tires in mud is a mistake," says Allan Marquart of Anderson Manufacturing, Inc., in Eagle Lake, Tex. "The idea has been to use flotation to stay on top. What happens, unfortunately, is that the wheels push out soft mud on top till they hit material firm enough to support the equipment. As a result, tires are constantly trying to climb out of a rut, wasting horsepower and leaving a mess." Anderson wheels narrow to a slim 1 1/2-in. tread that cuts resistance to forward movement. In mud, they knife downward until they hit hardpan or until downward pressure of equipment is equalled by return pressure of mud against the wheels. Cleats on the side of the wheels also help to move equipment forward. "A key feature involves mounting a smaller wheel in front. That wheel spins slightly faster than the rear wheel, pulling the tractor ahead. On dry ground, though, the front drive must be disengaged," explains Marquart. "The tires were primarily designed for field work in rice paddies. However, the narrow tread is ideal for draining small flooded pothole areas in fields, or to cut through levees for draining." The idea of using narrow steel wheels in mud is not completely untested since similar wheels have been used on specially designed tractors on large California and Gulf Coast rice fields. Marquart says Anderson Manufacturing is the first company to adapt the idea to conventional tractors. So far, steel wheels have been designed only for the 20 to 40 hp. foreign and domestic 4-wheel drive tractors. Marquart says there has been some interest in using the wheels for interseeding a second crop, such as soybeans, into a standing crop. He doubts, however, that the currently available models, mounted on smaller tractors, could pull the necessary equipment. "We're working on larger wheels to fit the big 4-wheel and 2-wheel drive tractors that may make those alternative uses possible," he told FARM SHOW. A set of four steel wheels of 4 and 5-ft. dia. sells for $1,791. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Anderson Manufacturing, Inc., P.O. Box 245, Eagle Lake, Tex. 77434 (ph 713 2343533).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.