JD 45 question- Front wheel tread spacing

[Weldon K]

For first time in over 25 years I will have some corn to sell for grain this year. Only 8 acres but there may be some for the next few years as well since I will not be needing all my corn acres for silage. I am considering getting a JD 45 in very good condition , shed kept and last used 3 years ago. After doing some measuring on it today I need to know if the front wheel tread spacing can be narrowed some by mounting the wheels with the rim concave in. They are currently mounted concave out and giving an 84 inch center of tire to center of tire spacing . At this spacing the outside of the tires will hit some of the next standing row of corn in places where the row spacing on the next pass of the 4 row planter got a little close. Does anyone know off hand or has a manual they could check to see if wheels can be run concave in and what spacing this would give? Thanks.
 

[DeltaRed]

Yes,they can be 'reversed'.IIRC,that would make 76".But beware,that make things a little 'tippy'.Dont want to find out the hard way!
 

[DeltaRed]

How many rows?2x38" or 3x30". 3x30" your wheels will be just right.
 

[Weldon K]

Combine has a 234 head on it. I saw manual for the head and it stated 40 inch row. Were there other two row heads that were for narrower rows? My corn is planted on 36 inches. The owner had his planter set at 38 inches and had no problem . Will my 36 inch rows be a problem ?
 

[jd-tom]

I think it will work on 36" rows but will be snug. Since it is a 45 you probably have smaller tires that a 55 would so you probably will be OK. If you continue to have corn to combine in the future you may want to consider spacing the planter for 38" rows or getting a 3-30" corn head and going to narrow rows.
 

[DeltaRed]

Measure your head to be sure...That said,in your 36" rows,it will be tight-you will have no room for error,but it will work.Try it this year,see what happens.But I would suggest planting 38" rows if you plan on combineing your corn.Space the seed closer to maintain population.
 

[tomstractorsandtoys1]

Once you narrow it up,you should be fine.You will be a little tight splitting thru the field but after that you will be fine as the stalks do bend a little side to side, so if you are off the row center by 2-4 inches you will have no problem.I had the same problem years ago with my 45 in 38 inch rows planted on hillsides where the planter worked it's way down the hill or the planter driver(Me) got off his mark and planted to close together.We had a 235 head wich is almost the same as a 234, biggest improvement was the screen section in the rear that allowed for a better view of what was happening up front.I finished corn last night with our 95 and 4row 435 head.
 

[Weldon K]

I saw the pictures of your machine on your posting from 10-02-12. Are the front wheels on your 45 set concave out or in? Best I can see in your pictures , they look in. Could you get a measurement of outside of tire to outside of tire for me? Another guy said that when his 45 was set concave in ( narrowest tread ) the tires hit somewhere on the 234 corn head. What do you think?
 

[tomstractorsandtoys1]

That makes me remember when I bought my second 45 and went to put a 235 head on it.I did have to move the wheels to the wide setting for the cornhead(that machine only did small grain before I got it).It still should work in 36inch rows as the side shields will push the corn over some but it might not be a bad idea to move your planter to 38 inch rows next year.