WD unusual wide front end.

Aaron v farr

New User
I recently bought a 1951 WD with a wide front that is different than any I have ever seen in all my 44 years of loving sweet allis. The axle is round and sets out ahead of the tractor with a channel iron frame it almost looks homemade. Is it maybe a convertible? Did allis make such an animal? The setup looks like it may have originally been narrow front. Idk? Help appreciated.
 
In the 50s and 60s there was a fellow in central MN who patented a universal wide front like that. His name was Ray Calunden (sp), front end tag had his name on it. On the WD, the front pedestal remained in place, and the steering mechanism from the wide front bolted to it.
 
Thank you that must be it. I can't find a tag but the attachment is just as you say with the pedestal still in place. It seems to be a very rugged and well built unit and works well. I had never seen one before and thought maybe they made a convertible like the John Deere mt's and 40t's but could find no reference to such. Thanks for the info very interesting. It's also easily adjustable.
 
Sounds like a Schwartz aftermarket wide front. We have a couple WD"s with the Schwartz, and also recently found a D14 with a wide front of VERY similar design. I thought it was a Schwartz also until checking the mfg tag. I can"t recall the name at the moment though...
 
Ray had a one man machine shop in Belgrade, MN, very unusual for a small town inventor to get a patent in the 50s. Other than that, I don"t know what he did. Shop is still there, I think it"s an auto shop now. Belgrade also had a blacksmith then- one lathe, did general repair and welding new edges on plow lays before the throwaways were on the market. Always fascinating to see what they could turn.
 
Might be a Schwartz, might be a Speeco, and possibly a Norden. The Schwartz and Speeco are very similar and parts are still available. The Norden is obsolete, but if you are creative enough, the Schwartz parts can be adapted.
 

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