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AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End

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sonny marler

04-27-2002 06:59:31




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How hard would it be to change a tricycle front end over to a wide front end on a 1957 WD-45? The wife is afraid that I may turn the tractor over with the tricylce front end so I need to try and find parts and get this done if it is possible to do!
sonnyddou@hotmail.com
Ps. I was also wondering if anyone would have a picture of a 3-point hitch for My AC that would work with todays implements. My lift arms will not reach the implements to pick them up.

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Dave Grubb

04-29-2002 11:30:08




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 Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 06:59:31  
When I put a wide front in mine I found it helped to remove the 'left' bolt for the engine forward support angle and loosen the rest of the 'left' frame rail-to-engine bolts. The steering casting will slide out much easier. I picked the left frame rail to loosen so as not to disturb the cork gasket between the right frame rail and the hydraulic pump reservoir casting at the belt pulley hole. Be careful not to loose or incorrectly reinstall the tapered washer for the engine mount angle at the frame rail. This would also be a good time to check for the correct shimming of the engine front support.

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Tom

04-29-2002 18:19:42




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 Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to Dave Grubb, 04-29-2002 11:30:08  
Correct shimming is bolt it up with no shims and no bolt into the engine. Measure clearence, add .005 to this figure for .005" "pre load", install shims and bolts. This is from AC repair manual.



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JT

04-27-2002 23:23:09




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 Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 06:59:31  
Sonny

A couple of comments on earlier suggestions. The type of front end that Tom refers to is pretty rare. Allis did sell the "split pedastil" dual narrow front but in my travels and looking at probably 100 to 200 WD and 45's I think I have only seen 1 or 2. This doesn't make much difference just make sure you get the gear box if you need it.

Changing the rear wheel tread should be easier than Craig MO suggests. All you have to do is remove the pinned clamp on the rail with the holes in it and loosen the four rail clamps. drive forward or back with one of the brakes applied. reverse previous procedure and you have your rear wheels adjusted.

One note about wide fronts DON'T mess with aftermarkets!!! The WD and WD45 were pretty common to have them so it should be a findable item. The reason I say to stay away from after markets (not genuine AC) is they are more dangerous than the narrow front. most of them allow the front to pivot to the point where if the tractor starts to tip they can't stop it. so effetively you are going from a 1 foot wide stance in front to the point of a needle.

hope this helps
JT

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Craig MO

04-28-2002 17:16:03




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 Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to JT, 04-27-2002 23:23:09  
JT you must have me confused with someone else I didn't say anything about rear wheels. I just told sonny to make sure tractor was safely blocked before switching front ends.



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JT

04-29-2002 08:51:02




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 Re: Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to Craig MO, 04-28-2002 17:16:03  
Craig

You are right I read Super M and Changing every year and didn't catch the fact that you were changing the front end.

You are also right about blocking the tractor. The front end should be also even on the light front end on the WD45 these are heavy bits and need to be handled with care.

JT



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JDGnut

04-28-2002 09:10:18




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 Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to JT, 04-27-2002 23:23:09  
I just bought one of these wide fronts a few months ago, it needed some work, but was just what I needed, and the price was right. Like other have stated U will probably have to change the big case center piece, but on the rear pivot for the axle, there are a few different styles. U didn't say what engine U have, I am guessing a gas. If you have a gas, I think all the different designs will fit on your tractor. The deisel are different because the engine is longer and closer to the front of the tractor, so the mount for the rear pivot is different to clear the oil pan. But they are all simple brackets and could easily be made from scratch, and look like factory. Good luck on the project.
JDGnut

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Tom

04-27-2002 18:32:49




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 Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 06:59:31  
The job is a bolt on if you have the right parts. Shouldn't take very long either. It will make the tractor more stable, but not much. The front end still pivots on a central point. It is not like a truck with 4 points of suspension. The tractor is supported by three points whether or not it is a wide or narrow. The advantage of the wide front end is it raises the pivot point so when the tractor is on a side hill the front isn't leaning so far off from the pivot point. To make the tractor more stable make the back wider. A WD and 45 can be made very wide. Just run the rims out on the wheels and you will see. You can even reverse the rims, probably not necessary though. In addition if the tires are not loaded you can load them and or add wheel weights. Adding weight to the rear end like this will make the tractor more stable. It will be more difficult to roll it if the rear is wide and heavy. If you have a loader keep the bucket low when driving around, keeps the weight low. Raise it only to dump it and raise it only when the tractor is nearly level, and then no higher than necessary. Then lower the bucket. Hood level or less is a good level I think, you can see past it and it isn't too high. A wide front will ride better though, each time a wheel goes over a bump it only raises the center of the axle half the height of the bump, reducing amount the tractor has to lift over the bump. I will admit I prefer a wide front end, however I don't think the difference is all that great "in the field".

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JMS/MN

04-27-2002 18:24:55




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 Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 06:59:31  
The front ends on the WD45s (or WDs) are interchangeable- you just need to get the entire unit. Knock the pin out on the u-joint on the steering shaft, remove four bolts on each side of the C-channel of the frame, and switch the entire unit. The hardest part is to find someone who will sell his wide front for your narrow front! Salvage yards and those who part out tractors will sell those units, around here, $400 and up! Three-point hitch adapters are available from various suppliers, and either one, the front end or the hitch, is cheaper, and more advisable, than getting a new wife.

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Tom

04-27-2002 18:36:51




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 Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to JMS/MN, 04-27-2002 18:24:55  
Later front ends were easy to change, you don't have to remove the steering box. The narrow one bolts on to the bottom of the steering box, and the linkage for the wide one bolts on where the narrow one came off. You need the bracket that bolts onto the front, the axle assy., and the bracket that bolts to the front engine cross member. If I remember my parts book right.



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sonny marler

04-27-2002 18:44:59




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 Re: Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to Tom, 04-27-2002 18:36:51  
I would like to Thank everyone for their help. Sonny



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mj

04-28-2002 19:05:05




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 18:44:59  
You can put stops on any wide front to limit how far the pivot will go before it starts to lift uphill wheel. They are way more stable than a narrow or single front when properly setup.



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Craig MO

04-27-2002 17:33:53




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 Re: AC WD-45 Changing front end from Tricycle to Wide Front End in reply to sonny marler, 04-27-2002 06:59:31  
Tell wifey you won't kill yourself. After you jack tractor up to change front ends out just be sure you have it blocked up securely. Not to hard to change over I change our super M twice a year to clean out barns with loader.



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