massey ferguson 180 front axle question

I Bought a mf 180 with the intentions of swapping the row crop wheels and front axle knees with my low profile 255. After getting the 180 home I realize that it has a bigger square axle dimention that all the other masseys I've been around. Are there any other models that utilize this larger square axle that might have lower spindles that would match shorter rear tires?
I am also considering selling the 255 and keeping the 180. The 180 has 6000 more hours though but is actually cosmetically in better shape with less rust and sounds better. my 255 does not have multipower and is a low profile model which doesn't work for row crops very well, which is why I was trying to put the tall front spindles and 38" wheels on it. what are your thoughts?
 
Oh yeah customizing these things ain't as easy a people have ya believe. Different size models?
The basket? pivot housing? axle pivot casting? Whatever it is that bolts to the front of the engine 'may' be interchanged with the 2 tractors, don't take it all apart till you measure the locations of all the bolt holes- good luck.
 
The early 255 had the 203 Perkins diesel, late had the derated 236 while the 175-180 had the higher rating 236 same as the 265 did. Gas was 212 or 236, and very early 175-180 could be Continental G-206. 175 could be standard or high clearance while 180 was always high. I'd keep the 180..
 
The 255 was made in the standard version (your tractor) and a row crop version as were the 265, 275 and 175. All of these models use the same center axle assembly so the axle arms (extensions) from any of these models should fit your 255. The 180 uses a different center axle assembly.

There are some things you should be aware of prior to making changes to the 255. The transmissions are different in the standard and row crop versions. By putting 38" rear wheels and tires on your tractor the ground speed will be increased for all gears. This will also impact the usable horsepower of your tractor. Also, the row crop version uses different fender mounting brackets to give clearance for the taller tires. You may be able to use the fenders and brackets from the 180 but they are of a different style. There were two engines used in the 255 - the AD4-203 and the AD4-236. If your 255 has the 236 it is the same engine used in the 180 only the injection pump was turned down at the factory on the 255 to produce about 10 less horsepower.

If the PTO and Multi-power work well on the 180, I would keep it and sell the 255. With the operator's platform and adjustable steering wheel on the 180, it may be a more comfortable tractor to use with better visability from the seat.
 
Thank you everyone for the replies. I have researched this swap extensively and am aware of the fender and gearing differences. I think it would be about a 13% speed difference in all gears which would make 1st low in the 1.5mph range and 4 high would only increase a few mph. I was planning to put the taller fenders on my 255 as well. The 180 spindles are the same part number as the 255 row crop spindles so they will interchange. I have located some high crop axle extensions that will fit my 255 so that would be the only part needed for the 255. I do have the ad4.203 and it does vibrate a bit more than the 236. After getting this 180 I have noticed the 255's governor doesn't seem to react I am always moving the throttle with different loads. the 180 I set at 1500 and it pretty much stays there. the 180 seems to have a little oil smoke though but sounds great
 
Are the 200 series rear ends substantially better that the older ones for any reason? My 255 has the square axles but still has dry breaks. It looks beefier than the round axles though
 
The square axle housing is cast iron, the round axle housing is malleable iron which is a lot stronger that cast iron. I've never seen anyone break a round axle housing. If you can break any axle housing, you are probably having other, bigger problems than just a broken axle housing.
 
(quoted from post at 16:35:41 04/26/15) I Bought a mf 180 with the intentions of swapping the row crop wheels and front axle knees with my low profile 255. After getting the 180 home I realize that it has a bigger square axle dimention that all the other masseys I've been around. Are there any other models that utilize this larger square axle that might have lower spindles that would match shorter rear tires?
I am also considering selling the 255 and keeping the 180. The 180 has 6000 more hours though but is actually cosmetically in better shape with less rust and sounds better. my 255 does not have multipower and is a low profile model which doesn't work for row crops very well, which is why I was trying to put the tall front spindles and 38" wheels on it. what are your thoughts?

My question is why would you wanna go backwards in years of tractors? I thought the 200 series was an upgrade not to mention much newer tractor to the 180!
Considering the used prices the 200 series is worth a whole lot more ......that tells me it's a better tractor!? Right? Wrong?
 
That is the reason I was trying to convert the 255 to row crop configuration. I thought they had
more of the kinks worked out or something. They actually seem to be similar though except for the
steering up front. both are hydrostatic though
 
The 255 is really a 150 with 4.236 instead of the AD3.152. The engine, steering, and sheet metal are the only real differences between the 255, and the 150. My brother has a 1965 MF 150 row crop (13.6/38's) with a AD.3.152, with multi-power. A few people made him some pretty good offers on it even though he tells them it's not for sale. On another note a MF 235 is nothing more than a 135 with different sheet metal, so going from a 255 to a 180 row crop is not really a step backwards (mix a 265, and 275 together, and you have a 180 basically).
 
(quoted from post at 02:22:47 04/28/15) The 255 is really a 150 with 4.236 instead of the AD3.152. The engine, steering, and sheet metal are the only real differences between the 255, and the 150. My brother has a 1965 MF 150 row crop (13.6/38's) with a AD.3.152, with multi-power. A few people made him some pretty good offers on it even though he tells them it's not for sale. On another note a MF 235 is nothing more than a 135 with different sheet metal, so going from a 255 to a 180 row crop is not really a step backwards (mix a 265, and 275 together, and you have a 180 basically).

Very interesting! I didn't realize the similarities of those two series.
Thanks for explaining, I appreciate it!
 

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