JD A wide front

jpick87

Member
I have been wanting to go to a wide front on my A and have been brainstorming. Are you guys modifying wide fronts, using fronts from other maybe smaller tractors, or starting from scratch? I like FactoryFarmer's front but the more I think about it I think I'd like to look more stock. I've tried searching pictures but am not really finding much. I also am curious also how you can get rid of pedestal and still get the steering down there like on JDGnut's pic? I tried zooming in but couldn't tell how he did it. I think using a schwartz to start with might be the easiest and cheapest just modify how it mounts so it doesn't tilt and shorten spindles to get me low in the front. Maybe I'm wrong. If anyone can share info or pics of how they did theirs and maybe a estimate of the cost that would be great. I really want to go to wide front but only if I can do it for somewhere around what I can get for my 2 pedestals and rollomatic I already have.
Thanks a lot guys
 
I thought I would bring this back to the top and see if I could get someone who would be willing to give me some info.
Thanks
 
I'll see if I have some closer pictures.. if not.. I can take a few more and send them to you...

The front axle is off a WD45 Allis... (WD or early D17 will work too.) I like the Allis axle because it uses a 5 bolt pattern.. (Chevy truck.) you have to turn the center of the hub down, because the Allis wheel center is too big to fit the automotive wheels.

To change angles, I used an Aluminum 90 degree gearbox.. unfortantly I have not been able to find another one.. (it came from Surplus Center.) Going to the steering shaft the joint is splined to the gear box, and just slips on.. at the steering post close the the steering wheel, I have a locking colar with a pin to keep the shaft from sliding out of the gear box.. (This was only needed because I wanted the tilt hood, and I wanted to keep the the factory location of the steering shaft. )
From the gear box to the steering rack, there is 2 universal joints. The rack is also an unknown.. I went to the junk yard, and dug through a pile of manual steering racks.. Its a straight shaft manual rack out of an old import.. (mounted with the input pointing straight up.)

Things I would do differently.. I would cut more weight out of the front axle.. I would cut out all the adjustable part off the front axle, and weld the upright parts of the knee to the center section.. (no idea why I did it like I did..) I probably won't do another tilt hood, which will make it much easier, and cut some weight out of the hood, because I framed the inside of the hood. I'd look at using one of the dragester style racks with the steering in the center.. (because I can't find another rack like I have.)

Bryan
[email protected]
 
Well that doesn't sound too bad. The center steer racks I find are way too pricey but maybe I'm not looking in the right place. More pictures would be great if you find some. The tractor as it sits is #5000 and I would like to get it on a bit of a diet is one reason I want to do this but mainly I think it's just plain cooler!
 
Send me an email.. and I'll try to get you a few more picture in the next week or so..
My Goal was to get to 4600lbs... Mine weighs about 4600lb empty will no driver... I guess I tend to over build a few things... I could probably get there.. or get closer.. but Kind of lost interest in putting much $$$ into it...
 

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