D17 questions.

How lite can a 17 get. No hyd no rockshaft housing. Home made drawbar no fenders 15.5X38 tires. And also what's lighter narrow front or wide front. No power steering. Wide front can have a lot of extra weight shaved off of it. I think it would be lighter than the cast narrow front end.      Shawn.

So the narrow is lighter. Even if you cut off extra axle that is inside ?

Hy

He is talking about removing the ability to slide the axle out for row crop use. You would need to torch this off to save some lbs.

A lighter front is to your advantage, because then you replace the missing weight with easily moved suitcase weights that are ahead of the front end/nose and has more effect and are moveable for tracks that don't require that much front end weight.

DrAllis wrote: A lighter front is to your advantage, because then you replace the missing weight with easily moved suitcase weights that are ahead of the front end/nose and has more effect and are moveable for tracks that don't require that much front end weight.

i know that it gives you more movable weight, but i feel if my wd was a heavier wide front than i would have to put little to no weight on the front when i pull, basically it would make it easier for me cuase i wouldnt have to throw weights around, but i would lose some moveable weight

I am tryin to get a 17 in 4000lb class for next year. I am 200lb and in the light classes I won't need any weight on the front (4000,4500). I just didn't kno if I cut the wide front down in weight if it would be lighter than the narrow front.

I seen a guy use a few wagon axle on the front
If a 180 to save weight there are not many pounds to gain I would guys buy running custom wide opposed to a stock narrow front with no power steering

And another though narrow front gives u a little more time if you get towards the out of bounds and you don't have to push the clutch as soon.
Just my own opinion
Seen a guy pull several 45s with single front wheel and a lot of weights in the front two
Don't know if they made them for the 17 series tractors though.

mattb wrote: I have seen 17s in the 4000 plenty of times none with wide fronts though. I like my wide front end because u can steer it better when front gets light and its a diesel with a 301 so no way I can get it down to 4000.

I've got my D17 down to just shy of 3800lbs without a driver. thats with 15.5x38s and 120lbs of battery out front. removed hyd pump, all controls and shafts, lift arms & cylinder, PTO, & fenders. Built lighter seat, Fabed up pair of 15" front wheels which reduced front wheel and tire weight by half. lightened up rear pressed wheels as much as I cared to to retain durability. Installed a 14" aluminum radiator, and a 35amp mini altenator.  I plan to lighten up more this winter by rebuilding the adjustable hitch and wheely bars from lighter materials. 

IL-D17 you can lose some  with dry cell batteries/ that thing pulls good any how just looking you did good sunday

Wow, 3500 lbs. That is lite!

3500 would be nice then put 500 on back bracket might bring front end up.  im thinking i can get 4000 with know trouble   maybe even try low side of 4th haha 

as far as the front bolster goes Im sure something lighter could be fabed up. Power steering could be gotten rid of too but it sure is nice to be able to steer with one finger in the pits. LOL Im happy startn at 4000 n goin up. I usually stop at 5500. depending on the scales me and tractor weigh about 4050. most places allow 100lbs over which lets me put on 50 or so pounds and depending on the track wether it goes on front or back. If the scales weigh heavy or they dont allow any over I just start at 4500. However that will change after the winter lightening session.

  There is one around here with a 6cyl. gasoline engine and 18.4x30 tires that will pull with me in the 3750 outlaw where the scales are not monitered, with weights on the back!!!!! At monitered pulls he will pull in the 4000 outlaw, and usually gets beat. When he gets to the 4500 then watch out, he fixing to carry the mail. What is really pitiful is he will pull FARMSTOCK if they dont enforce rules. I am not accusing him of anything, just stating facts.