Re: Farmall M--- Changing a narrow front to a wide

Posted by Hugh MacKay on August 21, 2004 at 18:54:45 from (209.226.106.19):

In Reply to: Farmall M--- Changing a narrow front to a wide fro posted by A. D. Hyde on August 19, 2004 at 14:41:57:

A.D.: All that has been said about the wide front versus narrow front are good points. Narrow front tractors did have their place in our farming history. I think by now most of those good reasons for having one are also history.

In the heyday of the letter series Farmalls, wide fronts were rather cumbersom. They were often hard to steer, slow to steer and would not turn short enough. With the advent of power steering and different steering linkages all that changed.

I had both wide and narrow front for Farmall 300 when it was the main power source on the farm. In the years that tractor was around I rather doubt if wide front was on the tractor a total of 2 years. We then got a 560D wide front, with power steering, but the same steering linkage as on the SH, 300, SM, etc. It steered easier but still no shorter than the older ones. My next tractor was a 656D with wide front. By then IH had changed only the steering linkage on that basic front end, plus beefed up the power steering to handle the extra mechanical load of steering quicker and shorter.

My dad and I really liked the 300 with narrow front for baling hay, so much more manuverable than the 300 with wide front. First time my dad ever baled hay with the 560, his comment,"just like a locomotive and steers almost as quickly." My dad took the 656 one day baling hay, his comment," just as manuverable as my old 300 with narrow front." It was unbelieveable the difference the minor changes made between 560 and 656 wide fronts, made such a difference in steering. Those tractors are both 96" wheelbase, a full 6" longer than H, M, 300, etc. The only item on widefront IH changed between 560 and 656 was the center steering control arm. The 656 had more powerful power steering to handle the reduced mechanical advantage in steering. That center steering control arm is longer on the newer tractors.

I know if you put the longer center link on tractors without power steering it will make them harder to steer. Problem I can see with in doing this with an M, SM, 400, 450 or 560, is I doubt if factory or even aftermarket power steering for those tractors will handle the extra load. You may be able to find power steering units today with the power to do this.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]