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wdtractor 
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Joined: 15 Apr 2018
Location: Lexington NC
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 Topic: WD wide front end
Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 7:05pm |
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I have a 1952 WD with the narrow front end and I would like to change it to the wide front end, what do I need to know about and look for when I find one and also will my steering shaft still work on the wide front end. Thank Y'all for any information, it will be appreciated.
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Michael V (NM)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: NM
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Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 9:13pm |
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Your steering shaft will work fine,disconnect at the u-joint.
You will need the complete front-end,this is the big heavy bolster,and axle,your front wheels will work...
Another option would be an aftermarket Swartz or norden(sp)?,, I think they can utilize the narrow front bolster
Edited by Michael V (NM) - 13 Dec 2018 at 9:13pm
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MNLonnie
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Baxter MN
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Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 10:46pm |
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Mine has an interchangeable front end on it. I can put single front, dual or wide front on in about 20 minutes. No messing with steering at all. It takes longer to jack up the tractor than to swap the front end. Maybe yours is that style?
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Waukesha B, B, IB, G, styled WF, D15, 615 backhoe, 2-Oliver OC3's, 4 Ford Model T's, 3 Model A Fords, AV8 Coupe, AV8 Roadster, 1933 Ford Wrecker
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wdtractor
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Location: Lexington NC
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Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 11:05pm |
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How could I tell if mine is interchangeable like yours
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garden_guy
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Location: Illinois
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 3:47am |
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Got pics of this interchangeable front? Sounds really neat.
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Lon(MN)
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Location: Merrill Wi
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 7:09am |
The bolster will look like a wide front. Either a round cover on the top or a small bolt on plate on the top.
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Dakota Dave
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: ND
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 8:26am |
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If it has a narrow front on it and it has the mounting holes for the wide front plate you have a convertible frontend. Standard narrow fronts don't have the wide front mounting boss.
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Don(MO)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Bates City MO.
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 8:32am |
 garden_guy wrote:
Got pics of this interchangeable front? Sounds really neat.
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Here you go. I can't find a shot of the interchangeable narrow front end.
Edited by Don(MO) - 14 Dec 2018 at 4:25pm
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3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep.
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wdtractor
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 9:51pm |
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The picture of my WD won't load,but on top of the bolster there is a flat plate with 4 bolts is this the interchangeable front end that you're talking about?
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garden_guy
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 9:56pm |
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That single front wheel is really neat Don -- how rare were those?
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Don(MO)
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 10:31pm |
wdtractor wrote:
The picture of my WD won't load,but on top of the bolster there is a flat plate with 4 bolts is this the interchangeable front end that you're talking about? |
If you have a four bolt cover then your front end is the Std. Dual Front, if it had a six bolt cover or the later round cover then it has the changeable front bolster.
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3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep.
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Don(MO)
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 10:33pm |
garden_guy wrote:
That single front wheel is really neat Don -- how rare were those?
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I don't think of them as rare just harder to find.
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3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep.
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wdtractor
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Location: Lexington NC
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 11:24pm |
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Can I still change it to the wide front end
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DrAllis
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Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 6:19am |
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Yes, you can still change over to a wide front end. Your entire front support comes out from under the radiator and the wide front goes back in.
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wdtractor
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Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 7:45am |
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Thank you all for all the information
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MNLonnie
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Location: Baxter MN
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Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 12:45pm |
  I leave the single front on mine and the other 2 are out back.
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Waukesha B, B, IB, G, styled WF, D15, 615 backhoe, 2-Oliver OC3's, 4 Ford Model T's, 3 Model A Fords, AV8 Coupe, AV8 Roadster, 1933 Ford Wrecker
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WF owner
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Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 4:10pm |
Some tips for when you change it:
1. There are four bolts through the frame on each side. They have probably been in there for 60+ years, so they usually come out hard, or break off. Hit them with a big fancy hammer (BFH) several times before you even try to get them out. If they don't turn quite easily (and chances are they won't), get your torch out. It's MUCH easier to take your time getting them out than it is to try to remove the broken pieces after you put break them off.
2. There are two bolts in the back that hold the steering shaft in the bolster. I have found it is easier to remove those two bolts and remove the steering shaft, than it is to try to get the universal joint apart. It is a good time to look the universal joint over and replace it if it is bad (I find many are bad).
3. Make sure the tractor is blocked securely, because chances are good you are going to have to do a lot of pushing, pulling and pounding on it to get the old front end out.
4. After you get all the bolts out, remove all the bolts on the left side of the tractor frame. I find it is much quicker and easier to get the old bolster out with the frame rails separated with the frame loosened and spread apart. I loosen the left side so I don't have to fool with the belt pulley on the right side.
5. Before I install the bolster on the front end that I am installing, I put anti-seize on the sides of the bolster and all the bolts. Chances are good that it will never be changed again, but I always put the anti-seize on in case it's me that has to change it.
6. After you get it changed, retorque the bolts several times. They will loosen!
I hope this helps!
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ac fleet
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Posted: 15 Dec 2018 at 7:30pm |
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Gives me an idea of what I am up against!---Gotta change one on 45! thanks; ac fleet
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