ZTU vs RTU axle housing?

DFZ

Member
I need to start collecting parts to restore my ZTU. One item I will need is a complete front axle housing.

After cleaning mine, I found the previous owner must have driven this tractor through a ditch and snapped the front axle off the engine. The mounting was brazed back together with what must have been 25 pounds of brazing. It looks pretty good and I would consider using it, but then I discovered a crack vertically from the bottom bearing adjusting nut all the way up the outside of the axle housing. Long story short, I need a new front axle housing.

Does the front axle of all RTU's differ from a 1946 ZTU? I had one RTU before and I recall it having a little different axle. But, it was not the original axle for that tractor. I swapped that axle so that my RTU's front would match it's serial number plate (It had an RTS front axle).

Pictured are examples of the different axles. My ZTU is like the one pictured. It has a round medallion lower front, and a groove on the right and left side. My earlier RTU did not have the medallion or the grooves that I remember.

I see on craigslist a RTU with a front axle that looks like the one I need.

Is the bolt pattern the same from RTU to ZTU? I assume it is.
Did they use the same axle for some time and then change?
Does anybody have an axle housing in Washington or Oregon or that they could ship for a reasonable price? (Don't know of any tractor salvage yards within 500 miles that has MM tractors.


Thanks for any replies
Doug




 
All of the RTU and ZTU front ends are interchangeable with the same mounting holes, it just depends on how picky you are. There is a part number on the left-hand side that should read something like JT2775C or JT 2775E. I believe the "C" pedestal was only used in 1939. All tractors after that used the "E" pedestal. The JT2775 and JT2775B were only used on 1937 and 1938 production.
 
Is that the reason there is the circular casting in the center of the pedestal like there is in the picture? Hadnt noticed that much till now.
 
Just want to add:

If the R is a later model, it will have the large bolt pattern. I don"t know what year they changed. I"m pretty sure you can put the ZT hubs on the R axle and it will work, though. Or you can swap axles between bolsters.

Also, I do know that a pedestal from a ZA had a longer steering shaft coming out of it. This probably is not an issue in your case unless the donor R has the Eaton or Webster hydraulic pump in the side cover.

That round hole with the plug in it between the wheels is probably a core hole, the core to mold the inside was supported through it. It is not on the later steering columns.
 
When I changed mine the 1950 RTU I have had the round cast portion in front but no reliefs in the sides just below the top of the tire. The replacement I got was from an earlier ZTU and it had them. Doesn't make a difference other than appearance. I see them in the top picture. They might have been for steel wheels?
 
Thanks for all the replies. I now know any and
all of the axles will fit.

Sounds like there may be 3 common axles out there
then. One with the round medallion and grooves on
side (Pic #1), one with round medallion without
grooves and one smooth one (Pic #2).

I guess if I found one near me I could use the
smooth style axle, but I do want to keep this as
original as possible and for some reason I like
the look of the right one (Picture #1).

Thanks all.
 
Where are you located? I have ZTU that I have been parting out that I "think" has a good front end. There are no wheel centers, so you would have ot use yours. Let me know if you are interested, and Ill get you some pictures.

Joe
 
I am in South West Washington. Looks like you are in Indiana. Thanks but I don"t know that it would be worth it to ship one from there. I am not in a hurry, and will keep looking for one I could pick up within 250 miles.

Thanks for the replies.
 
DFZ

I have couple parts Rs down here in Albany,Or. if
you are interested in one call Five Four One Six
One Nine Two Six Nine Two or email
 

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