I justpaid a pretty big price for a decrepid 1951 WD S/N WD95894 widefront with power steering, just like the later WD45's had. No evidence of any sort of jury rigging. Looks perfectly stock. The history of the tractor would indicate that the power steering was installed long ago, if not at the factory. The hood has the factory-punched holes, bolts look to be installed straight and square. The farmer was one-armed, perhaps a wounded veteran, don't know. It seems strange that someone would rob the unit from a WD45. Would make more sense to trade in the WD for a WD45. I am wondering whether to restore the WD as a rarity, or to sell the power steering or transfer it to a WD45. I have a 1954 WD45, and it wouldn't be correct for it either. Are there any differences that would indicate a retrofit vs original mfr? I have a thought that perhaps the factory may have released some pre-production units to special customers. I know Ford Motor Company used to provide free kits to dismembered war veterans. I can even imagine A-C, or CharLyn having one on display at Machinery Hill at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and this farmer deciding on the spot that he had to have it. I believe CharLyn is a MN company. Saw their pumps everywhere on Farmhand loader set ups, running off the rear pto.
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