Becklönne has come with a hydraulically adjustable dual wheel system, which allows the outer tyres to tuck in tight when on the road. We visit the farm that helped to develop the design
Farm manager Armin Schirneker-Reineke, who runs an organic farm at Bad Salzuflen in northern Germany, used to fit conventional dual wheels for field work. However, when he was unable to obtain special permits for over-wide tractors he had to find an alternative solution. On the hunt for an answer, he contacted engineering firm Becklönne (which, among other things, makes a maize silage transfer elevator; see profi Harvest Special 2019) with the task of creating an easy fitting system that would allow the farm to use public roads.
A plan was hatched The development at Becklönne started at the beginning of 2020, and by spring the system was ready — although there are currently tweaks being made to the initial design. The tractor wheel rim has two circles of holes. The inner circle is used to attach the wheel to the John Deere 6110R’s flanged axle, while the outer circle at 480mm accommodates the shifting mechanism. The initial concept was to install a large tube for the dual wheel to slide on, but this quickly turned out to be a non-runner. That said, the tube is still in place and now protects the inner hydraulic ram that moves the wheel in and out.
Bolted to the outer circle of bolts is the mounting plate with five hardened steel 80mm shafts welded to it. These act as both the guide and the transfer of the drive to the dual wheel. The counterpart on the extended side is formed by 140mm wide friction bearings made from brass bushes. The bearings are welded between two retaining plates. The outer plate has studs that fit the hole pattern of the dual wheel rim.
How it works
On both sides of the tractor, an internal hydraulic ram moves the outer wheel. To do this, the ram is coupled to a spool valve (preferably one that can be operated from the mudguards).
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