D17 narrow front under a 185?

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   Would a D17 narrow front take the weight of a 185 up to 9500lb? For pulling purposes, no rough or field work. I have a 185 I use strictly for pulling and would like to put a narrow front under it someday. The factory front ends are too hard and pricy to come by, there are a few modified fronts around for cheap but they lack power steering. Obviously a custom mount would have to be made to bolt it to a 185, my concern is the weight. 

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PA185 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Location: Pennsylvania Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote PA185 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: D17 narrow front under a 185? Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 12:23am
	Would a D17 narrow front take the weight of a 185 up to 9500lb? For pulling purposes, no rough or field work. I have a 185 I use strictly for pulling and would like to put a narrow front under it someday. The factory front ends are too hard and pricy to come by, there are a few modified fronts around for cheap but they lack power steering. Obviously a custom mount would have to be made to bolt it to a 185, my concern is the weight.

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WF owner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Bombay NY Points: 4666	Post Options Post Reply Quote WF owner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 4:56am
	The biggest problem would be that the D-17 front end is mechanical, using a steering shaft and the 180/185 are hydrostatic steering and use hydraulics instead of a shaft. Is it heavy enough? Hard to say. I have seen several homemade front ends fail during a pull.

PaulB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Rocky Ridge Md Points: 4742	Post Options Post Reply Quote PaulB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 6:51am
	I remember someone having a WC front under a D21 back in the 70s. It would depend on how the mounting was done as to weather it is strong enough or not. I had a totally homemade tricycle front under my 70s modified that held up and never broke. I used a front spindle cut from the front of a F5 Ford for the pivot and a corvair box for the steering. As a 180 has hydrostatic steering I would consider something along the same lines with a cylinder controlled by the orbit motor. For the SuperStock I am building, I will use an orbit motor for the control and a cylinder that has the shaft out both ends going to the spindle arms.
	If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

DrAllis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Points: 20525	Post Options Post Reply Quote DrAllis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 8:16am
	If you remove the front support casting underneath the air cleaner/radiator and fabricate a replacement that includes a front weight rack, you can lose a couple hundred pounds. Then, slide out your adjustable axle knees and cut them off short and reassemble with one bolt. This is easy to do and you will still have power steering and a wide front that would meet all safety/insurance regulations. I've made 2 or 3 of these over the last 45 years and would never consider a NF. Edited by DrAllis - 07 Jan 2020 at 8:17am

PA185 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Location: Pennsylvania Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote PA185 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 8:25am
	Honestly I was wanting a NF purely for looks. I only run heavier classes so the weight saved isn’t important. I just really like the look of a NF 100 series

DougG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Location: Mo Points: 8108	Post Options Post Reply Quote DougG Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 6:16pm
	Seems like ive heard a Ford 8000 n/f, and Oliver 1650 and up are kinda close and guys made them work, Probably measures close and hydro too,???

PA185 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Location: Pennsylvania Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote PA185 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 7:33pm
	I have actually seen a 210 with an Oliver 1650 narrow front, however it was manual steer.

dbounds Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Albany, Mo. Points: 232	Post Options Post Reply Quote dbounds Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2020 at 8:19pm
	I put a D17 narrow front on a D21 a few years ago to pull a 9200 lb class non turbo. I sold it to Daryl Krause in Washington,State and he ran it in a turbo class. I took out front casting and replaced with 1/2” plate that I cross braced and powered steering with E Gleaner cylinder. Worked for me. Doyle