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Newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels

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David Bean

08-21-2001 14:58:10




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Greetings all,

I got the antique tractor bug a few years ago, and
I'm getting more serious about finding a project. I'm still very naive, however, about doing a
restoration, and I'm hoping I could ask for some
advice.

I'm primarily looking for a tractor to use around
a lake house, including launching boats. That
means that it will have to perform well in some
sand, and I was leaning toward finding a Farmall
with wide wheels up front for both stability and
steerability in the sand. (One my neighbors has a
Super M with tricycle-style wheels, and I've seen
him have some difficultly getting it to bite in
the sand.) It seems like it's harder, however, to
find wide-wheeled models.

So, what I'm curious about is whether it's
possible to modify a narrow-style set of wheels to
the wide-style. I'm not even sure if that's a
stupid question or not... Do conversion kits
exist, or should I be prepared to built it myself?

Any thoughts or suggestions you might have are
greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- David

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David Bean

08-22-2001 08:11:59




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
Everyone,

Thanks for the comments! They're all very useful
to me.

- David



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jiM

08-25-2001 11:28:19




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 Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-22-2001 08:11:59  
Dave,
Check out crazy's response to me and my reply. Whst up with this guy?



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Bama Binder

08-22-2001 06:20:58




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
A lot of good advise here. Just one other note. While the tricycle configuration is more maneuverable and better for row crop farming, it is less stable, especially on hilly terrain. As long as the area you are operating in is flat, I would go with the easier to find tricycle gear.

As for me, both of my Farmalls have wide fronts...Cub (only way you could get them) and Super H (pretty rare). I am looking for a Super C wide front and Super M wide front (just because I like them).

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Bart

08-22-2001 03:16:39




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
David, Just keep looking like I did. I bought a wide front end for $125.00 hubs and all. Even had one good rim on it. Also you could consider a power steering unit. Charlyn has a good one and the ytmag auction has them occasionally. Look to left on this page. Good luck with you tractor.



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jiM

08-21-2001 20:58:54




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
I have a trike M and she turns in circle in a two car garage. Thats why Miss jiM had me build another barn, finished it in 4 days. Ask and ye shall receive. Go for the 3 wheel model.



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jiM

08-25-2001 18:32:09




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 Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to jiM , 08-21-2001 20:58:54  
You sound like some narrow minded professor type at an Institution of higher learning, get your nose out of the goverment funded grade book and grab on the next humor train that comes through your frail liberl mind. We conservative folks just love it when you liberals freak out at a light hearted joke. Hope you enjoy your TAX rebate.

jiM



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Bill Smith

08-25-2001 12:16:06




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 Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to jiM , 08-21-2001 20:58:54  
The original post here was about a tractor for the lake in wet and sandy conditions. I don't know how turning in garage or barn building came into play. Do you guys know each other or is there some bashing going on here? Hopefully I am not getting in the middle of something I don't need to be. Just read the post and thought I would add comment. Jim, you said your M will turn around in the garage and by your advice I gather it is a three wheeled version. Turning it around in your garage on a dry surface is alot different than in sand. I heard those 3 wheeled front ends were actually heavier than the regular 2 wheeled narrow fronts becuase of heavier castings. With one less wheel this will distribute more weight to even smaller area. In sand it will sink lower than a regular 2 wheeled narrow front. This will decrease power and perhaps even some manueverability. I still say a wide front is the way to go. I also believe a two wheeled narrow front is better in sand than a single front, a single front however would be better than 2 wheeled narrow front on solid ground. I am not trying to cuase any waves here but give us some factual info on how that single front is better in sandy or wet conditions versus a 2 wheeled narrow front or wide front. If you run on different surfaces there is a big difference in what style of front end you have and how you get around on that surface. On hard surface it doesn't vary much from one style front end to another except in turning and maybe a very little in power. You get in soft ground and the difference will set the different styled front ends way apart.

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crazy

08-25-2001 10:56:13




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 Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to jiM , 08-21-2001 20:58:54  
jiM, he is not concerned about being able to turn his tractor around in a two car garage. and we don't care if you built your barn in 4 days.



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jim

08-25-2001 11:23:49




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 Re: Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to crazy, 08-25-2001 10:56:13  
Well, Senior Crazy first of all I'd like to commend you on being able to understand what a two car garage is given the fact you live in an apartment funded by govermnent sources. And if you even knew how to build a barn you could understand what an accomplishment it is to erect (another word you might have a problem with) a barn in four days, so get back on your snapper lawn tractor your uncle gave you and have a big day. Oh by the way, don't forget to put gas and oil in it, Uncle's Moe,Larry and Curley would be very upset if you blew it like you do every thing else.

Big jiM to you Sir

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jim

08-25-2001 11:22:17




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 Re: Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to crazy, 08-25-2001 10:56:13  
Well, Senior Crazy first of all I'd like to commend you on being able to understand what a two car garage is given the fact you live in an apartment funded by govermnent sources. And if you even knew how to build a barn you could understand what an accomplishment it is to erect (another word you might have a problem with) a barn in four days, so get back on your snapper lawn tractor your uncle gave you and have a big day. Oh by the way, don't forget to put gas and oil in it, Uncle's Moe,Larry and Curley would be very upset if you blew it like you do every thing else.

Big jiM to you Sir

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Bill Smith

08-21-2001 20:42:32




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
Narrow front ends are real popular on older row crop tractors. The reason for this is most row crops were issued this way. I have seen wide fronts on tricycle models like the H and M but don't know were you would get one. I don't really have a good source for you to look for one. Tricycles were made to distribute weight to three tracks instead of two and to allow you to turn exstremely sharp. The problem with this was that when you were in soft or wet ground your front end weight was all in about 1 square foot of ground allowing your front end to sink a little lower in the soil or in your case sand. The lower it sank, the more power it robbed from the tractor just trying to get it to travel, let alone leaving power for the job you were doing. The wide front will spread your weight out more on the front end and it is less likely to sink in the soil but I haven't tried driving in sand but would presume the wide front would be better. I have driven tricycles in muddy conditions and found that it is much better to keep those old narrow fronts on solid ground. I ussually don't fire my tricycles up if the ground is any more wet than a little sticky. You hit a soft spot with the narrow front end and you will sink on the front end and there you will sit. You will be stuck before you will know it. The only thing you have to lose with a wide front end is not being able to turn as sharp. You won't exactly turn on a dime like you can with a narrow front. An M is a little heavier on the front end than an H and that is really noticeable in soft ground if you have driven both. The H is lighter but has less power also. I would deffinately look for a wide front end if I was heading out to go into wet or soft ground or sand. Before converting a narrow front tractor you might look for a wide front tractor if you haven't bought one yet. But if you already have one or find a deal you can't pass up maybe some of the friendly folks in here can help you find a wide front end or conversion kit.

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Ludwig

08-22-2001 09:41:53




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 Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to Bill Smith, 08-21-2001 20:42:32  
The wide front ends were more popular in Potato country. I'm from Maine and I was probably 10 before I ever saw a narrow front in person, I've only ever driven one. (F14's F14!)
When I was growing up we had an H, M, and Super M, all wide fronts. I still have the Super.

Yes, preceptive folks will note that my Regular is narrow front, but Great Grandfather didn't have money for wide fronts, and since it hasn't run in 40+ years I've never driven it.

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crazy

08-25-2001 10:58:30




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 Re: Re: Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to Ludwig, 08-22-2001 09:41:53  
ludwig, KNOW ONE CARES



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Andy Martin

08-21-2001 18:27:01




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
Wide front end kits are readily available, under $1,000.

I like narrow front ends because they steer easier and you can turn very tight. You can make one rear wheel twist in place. As mentioned earlier, steering with the brakes is necessary with narrow or wide in some instances. All you do is lightly push the brake on the side you are trying to turn to and the tractor responds. you do this with your right foot so your left foot is ready for the clutch if necessary.

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joe

08-21-2001 17:36:55




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
wide front tires can have trouble steering to. in the snowy winters when plowing the front tires turn but the tractor goes straight. dont let that decide your purchase. this has happened in freshly harrowed fieldas as well. the wide frotn gives more effort but same problems can arise unless you have 4wd.



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F-Dean

08-21-2001 15:18:18




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 Re: newbie question: wide vs. narrow front wheels in reply to David Bean, 08-21-2001 14:58:10  
David, Do not be afraid of a narrow front end. Your neighbor should use the individual wheel brakes to turn if he is having trouble getting the steering wheels to bite in the sand. That is why they have a separate brake for each wheel. There are no dumb questions!



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