Link Wheels look like a very cool idea.

I have a membership with SeoLinkVine and I think I may use that to point links to the tier 1 and 2 sites and no longer use it to point to my main sites.

Link wheels around your ezinearticles will help kick them above the other articles on the same subject.

Sounds like a lot of work, but heck... If I'd work at a job for 8 hours a day, why can't I do it for myself?