elwood front wheel assist for an m

Rarer than hen's teeth, I'm sure. $3000 isn't going to buy you an M with one installed these days. Heck, I'd ask at least $3000 for just the front end and driveline, if I had one to sell.

Don't confuse these old MFWAs with the front ends on modern day tractors. These were made for going straight ahead through mud, not turning. Think the old tierod-out-front wide front ends on those old Hs and Ms took a football field to turn around?

These things take TWO football fields and a small parking lot! This is part of the reason why there aren't many around.

Anyway, my tractor has power steering and is quite easy to manouver.

Because my 660 has fluid in all four tires and fourteen (?} wheel weights, I really can't say the FWA adds alot of traction in terms of percentage. But my experience is limited. I would like to get another set of F&H weights for the front. I also intend to hang six suitcase weights on the front of the plow frame when plowing snow.

It is probably a good thing that the TA planet cage has been welded. I sometimes wonder if am going to break something. The Elwood gearbox looks fragile but I have not heard that they are prone to failure.

There is also MFWA (mechanical) and HFWA (hydraulic) front wheel assist.

I don't have alot of time on my 660. I think the chief benefit of front wheel assist is in the steering. It doesn't understeer as much when pulling a load. Even though this is a nice benefit, the turning circle is much larger.

If we ever get any snow this year, I will probably have a better understanding of the benefits of FWA. I will be plowing snow with the tractor for the first time.

My tractor was purchased from a hilly orchard that straddled the NY/VT border. It pulled a heavy trailer sprayer. You can see the remains of the homemade, air conditioned cab that I am using as an outside welding table.

I have an Elwood on my 660D. The gearbox will bolt onto a M. The driveshaft and axle trunion might need an alteration. I mention this because you might want to widen your search to include the later model large framed IH tractors up to the 660.

I paid $3000, at a farm auction, for my tractor about 10 years ago. I suspect the Elwood cost me about $500. I don't know what a current price might be. My Elwood is not for sale at a reasonable price. I doubt if many are. They were rare in their day and moreso now.

I think napco made 4x4 conversions for tractors so you may want to look for those to.