Ford 860 bushing that front axle pivots on

ejensen

Well-known Member
Threads that bushing screws into are gone. Retainer for bushing gone. What have others done to secure this bushing? Shaft that drives hydraulic pump goes through center of bushing.
Looks like the only way to secure the bushing is to weld around the front edges of the bushing and weld it to the bolster
 
Good, used front axle supports are not common but can be found. You will probably need to find one from a salvage tractor that has not been used for FEL work.

A fellow in WI once sold repair plates to replace the worn plates in front axle supports but I do not believe that he is selling them any more. I rebuilt three front axle supports to new condition using his repair plates and still have one such rebuilt axle support on the shelf that I will never use as I have sold most of my Fords.

Dean
 
Dean,
The front bolster on the 860 I am working on has a pin ( hollow ) PTO shaft for front mounted hydraulic pump for the loader is driven by this 3/4 inch shaft. Front bolster has a slot for the front axle and the pin goes through the axle. Threads in the bolster for back of pin and a retainer for front of pin. Threads in bolster for rear of pin gone and the retainer is broken off the pin. where did the repair plates go you mentioned? I welded front of pin to the bolster 2 years ago for my friend. weld broke which in turn caused the pto shaft to be put in a bind and it broke. Planning to weld it again or find a large grade 5 or grade 8 bolt and weld in place. Let the bolt be the retainer for the front axle. This would eliminate use of the front end loader
Chris
 
The once available repair plates replaced the welded in plates through which the front axle pin passes. One of the plates is threaded for the axle.

It was necessary to drill out the OEM spot welds to remove the worn plates. The new plates could then be welded and/or bolted in to replace the old ones.

It takes some doing but the results can be better than new if one is patient and careful.

I do not believe the plates are still being made.

Dean
 
Dean,
Thank you. Have decided to do the following after reviewing information You and others on the forum have provided me. Help my friend remove the bolster and front axle assembly. Take the bolster and front axle to a local machine shop for repairs. One member on the forum send a picture of using a bolt to provide a solid attachment for the front axle. He had a lathe to build a bushing, very neat job. This would eliminate use of the front end loader. Wish I had lathe skills and a lathe.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness in taking time to provide me with information
Chris
 

When in your shoes I remove the front bolster then use a 8N axle pin and weld the pin in from the back side... Then I tell the customer to be on the look out for a good bolster...

Those beat out threads on the back side with little to know support is why it broke your weld on the front...

So far so good a cheap quick job none has ever returned...

Repair plates...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-TRACT...RONT-AXLE-BOLSTER-SUPPORT-PLATES/222326344655
 
That looks like them, Hobo.

I've rebuilt 3 front bolsters using these plates. Result is at least as good as new.

The guy that I bought mine from is Pete Pfeiffer in Kenosha, Wi.

I thought that he no longer sold them but, apparently, I was mistaken.

Dean
 

I saved him as a favorite seller tho I have never brought from him... Normally a worn out axle pin is caught last after I have flushed there wallet so no money for the right fix...
 
I just bought a new pin and bushing for mine. I wonder about drilling it and adding a grease fitting to it so this never happens again. What are your thoughts?

47041972414_8eae899761_z.jpg
 
That's what I did with my 51 8N (since sold).

Did it in 1989 or 90. Still good as new when sold last fall.

There are reasons why Ford did not do this during manufacture but those reasons almost never apply to users of vintage Ford tractors these days.

Dean
 
Dean,
I think a grease fitting would be an excellent idea.
Chris

The only concern I might have: Depends where You are using your tractor most of the time. Operating in a sandy area grease in the pivot bushing might cause sand to collect and work like an abrasive on your pin and bushing
 
Hobo,

Question: I used 7018 to weld front of pin and this is where weld broke. Welded with 6011 first then 7018. Have a DC welder which is small but works good. 60 percent duty cycle 200 amps
You mentioned using a pin from an 8N and welding both ends. Will an 8N pin fit the axle bushing for the 860 ford? I sm able to obtain a pin for an 860 from ford New Holland. Would it be best to use a pin made for the 860? Threads are damaged on end where the pin screws into the bolster
What rod would you recommend I use to weld both ends of the pin which the PTO for the front mounted hydraulic pump goes throuch? thanks, Chris
 

8N pin is the same O.D. and long enoufh to pass through the worn treadled part of you front support. I used a mig and just welded the back where the pin pass through... I see no reason to weld the front it s your call... I may have bolted the front in I don't remember it easy enough to drill and tap for a bolt... The 8N pin may align with the original pin retainer bolt

In the meantime look for a good front axle support I doubt you will ever need it but with a loader it would be nice to have a spare
 
Hobo,
Thanks for the information. I don't have a Mig welder just a small inverter welder which is a DC welder.
Thanks again
Chris
 

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