[1972]

I need to install chains on the front wheels of my John Deere 2320 for snow plowing. I checked into it, and it seems I need to put “spacers” on the front to move the wheels out far enough to allow clearance for the chains.

I talked to my John Deere dealer and he advised me that they can sell me these spacers for $380. Keep in mind, these are two mild steel plates, about 6” in diameter, 1” thick, with 4 holes drilled in them. Are these people insane?

My local machine shop said they’d machine me two spacer plates for $30 each – a total of $60. They said at that they are making “good money”. They figure about 15 to 20 minutes each!

What is with John Deere? I know they make most of their money ripping people off for parts, but next they’ll want $75 for a 1/4” by 1” common mild steel bolt! Something you’d buy in a hardware store for 15 cents.

Am I being unreasonable?

 

[Rodney in VA]

1972

Unfortunately JD becomes the only game in town on a lot of things (as do other manufacturers). Your machine shop should be able to do you a good job. Just make sure you get the right bolts; safety first. If the machine is still under warranty you may want to use the JD parts. Check out the attached .pdf to see a blowup. Good luck with the project. :fing32:

 

[1972]

I'd be curious as to what these spacers cost down in the US. Would one of you fellows mind calling your dealer and getting a price on them for me? I believe the part number is LVU12475.

I can't beleive even John Deere would charge $180 for a flat steel plate with 4 holes drilled in it. Can't be more than $5 worth of metal involved, and a press could stamp out thousands of these things in a day.

 

[sal64]

hello that sketck has a turned od to fit inside the rim hub also probably has a id counterbore to mount on weel hub to support the weel in my oppinion a steel plat isnt good because u are turing on the threads thats y jd wants more it is more solid.

 

[saskman49]

Are you sure you are going to need chains on the front? I used chains on my GT's but the 2320 sure didn't seem to need them last winter.

 

[1972]

I don't know. Guess I could try without chains on the front. My driveway is on a slight downhill slope, as is my parking area. So if I'm going accross the parking area there is a tendancy for the tractor to want to slide down the slope. It's not enough to be dangerous in any way, but it makes things difficult. I used to do this with a small "garden type" tractor with a snowblower on the front. I had chains on the back wheels, but not on the front. It worked fairly well in most places, but every time I was on the slope the nose of the tractor just swung around and pointed down hill! So I thought if I chained it up that would solve the problem. Maybe this one will not be quite so much of a problem.

I'd still like to know what those spacers would be worth (I mean cost) down in the US. Likley about half what we're getting charged up here. :beatdeadh

 

[saskman49]

They show at 143 and change when I go to my parts acct here. still alot though. Also 4wd will make a huge difference in clearing your snow vs a 2wd GT.

 

[saskman49]

Check this link, he paid $60.00 US ea for them over a year ago.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=52225

 

[sal64]

chains make a world of differance on slopes ,i put vbar on the rear of my jd990 i can clime or go down hills no prob without i was very dangerous felt like i was on a slead, also i put a weighted rake on if i cant stop i drop rake and it digs in to stop me.a pickuptruck plows much better and is safe.

 

[Rhino660]

I do not see any reference to as to what type tires are on the unit. If a turf style, chains just might need to be added.

 

[munderhill]

My brother runs v-bar ice 2 link chains on all 4 corners of his 3320. I'd recommend the same. He is on a slight hill to. Tractor was useless the first year without them. Not to mention VERY DANGEROUS to operate.
I too would get a Machine shop to make them. As said, just don't skimp on the bolt grade.

MU