Bought a 1420 IH, some questions

I have read about the 1420's axle issues, and parts availability, but I bought a nice clean one because the price was right, will pay for it self this fall. Question one, the axle issue. What can be done to strengthen it, I have rewad about filling with sand, not gonna do that, Can it be reinforced from the out side via welding lengths of 1/4 or 3/8's steel lengths. Wear exactly is the spot that gives?
Question 2, grain tank extentions. Is it a big no no on these or can they take a slight extention, like the smaller ones on the 1440's.
Can a turbo be added? Also, I have to find a manuel for it, I am wondering what the rated rpm's are, this one is set at 2250, seems a bit slow if I recall the 1440. Any other advice. Will mainly be used for corn.

I've got a Hiniker tank extension on mine, and I fill it full until it's almost running over and have for 8 years now. Front axle was reinforced with a slightly smaller diameter thick wall pipe before I got it. Mine had the factory turbo added as an option when the original owner ordered it, so yes it can be turboed. That engine responds very well to the turbo as well. As for the axles, I don't think even with a hopper extension you're ever going to get into trouble with them as long as you stay with a 4 row corn head and a 15 foot platform. A 17'5 and you may want to do something to the axles. The tire chart lists a 20' platform as an option, but no way would I ever try that. I don't think the 1420 needs that many rows of beans, you'd be crawling if it would even handle it.

Only concern with adding turbo is that it already has piston oil cooling jets. Typically other OEMs didn't on NA engines and not sure about IH. I've heard that bigger tires which need spaced out further cause problems. Determine if it has larger than standard tires. Unless you strengthen the axle I wouldn't go with a grain tank extension.

Mine has 3800 hours on it with the turbo, grain tank extension with 26L rice and cane tires and a mudhog.

If the turbo was an IH option it might have also included piston cooling jets in the package.
A little research either in the parts manual or asking at the CIH dealership would give that information. If the turboed verison had jets and the NA version didn't, I wouldn't take the chance unless just using it for higher altitude capability rather than more power. In regards to axle durability, some can overload and are lucky and others not so lucky.

Years ago a neighbor had an Axial Flow, 6rn head- don"t know the model number. End of the row, he raised the head...it just stayed down. It was busy pushing the axle/transmission up into the sheet metal under the combine, including all those augers that move the corn. Arnold"s would not rent him a combine to finish- they knew he could break an anvil with a sock. Interesting job to fix that.

I can only go by my experience with 2388's so maybe I'm off base, but I wouldn't give it more power. That machine might be designed around that engine's capabilities and tweaking the power might bring you repair bills in the future.

The 2388's we ran were among the first 100 made. They were basically a 1680/1688/2188 with more power. We were running high yielding green stemmed irrigated wheat that took every pony the engine could muster. About 300 hours into their lives, two of them broke the H bracket the rotor gear box bolts to. When the H bracket breaks the top rotor shaft rubs on the cone and you have a smoky, smoldering fire that's hard to get to. Case claimed this had only happened once in all the axial flows they had made, up to that time. As the years went by the other 6 2388's we had broke that H bracket. The increased engine horsepower in the 2388 put too much pull on the rotor gearbox and that H bracket it was bolted to couldn't take it. Removing the variable speed shieve and gear box out in the field on a 100 degree day without a hoist is a memorable experience!

This probably won't be the case with a 1420,but it's an example of what can happen with increased horsepower and the downtime it can cause. Two of these 2388's later had the injection pump turned up (don't ask, I didn't do it!). I happened to be running one of them in wet barley, not knowing it was turned up. Wasn't long till I was back there replacing the rotor belt. Again, this might not happen with a 1420, but it's another example of unnecessary downtime caused by too much HP. Jim

I'm the guy that posted pictures on here about 6-7 years ago about what can happen to a 1420 IH front axle..This was with a 4 row corn head,15 ft grain head,no RWA,and no bin extension...

When I bought it I noticed the left side axle had already been broken and fixed...I should have immediately pulled one final off and drove some thick box tubing in it..I did that after the right side broke but it was too late..You will be amazed at how light that front axle housing is for a combine that weighs 12 tons with a full bin...

Also I think the high idle on these D-358's is something over 2900 rpms..I think rated rpms are 2600-2700 under load..They are one high revving engine..

I wouldnt be afraid to turbo a D-358...I turboed a D-310 in a 715 IH and ran it for years with no problems..

Check back tomorrow evening and I'll try and post pictures showing my axle break on my 1420..Mine is not the first 1420 to do this..My guess it was used on a farm with terraces and saw lots of frame flex..

Neighbor had small extension on 1420 and bolts holding final drive to axle sheared off. When the combine fell it broke drive axle from the trans. Case IH said no longer avail. He went to heck and back to find one! He said some parts for 1420 are hard to find!