M wide front end Questions

Thanks for the info.

Yep, that be the factory front.

Be sure you get the 1/2" thick adjustment plate; that will allow you to adjust from way, way, way out in front to back underneath.

Allan

Boy, I dunno. I kinda think the factory outfits steer a little easier. Stands to reason, they have that longer throw with the steering knuckle.

However, the nice part is that the Swartz turns way, way shorter. As far as being stronger, I can't speak to that issue; I just don't know.

The factory units always "looked" to me to be stouter, but I'm really not sure. Maybe someone else can help us out here?

Allan

Thanks for your help.
Jay

Allan

Gordo

I just grabbed that picture down off the 'Net as it showed a good original IH front end.

Allan

It has been so many years ago and I just cannot remember.

But I do know that without that plate, you cannot reach the farthestmost forward position. The frontend will still go out further than the normal bolt pattern on the tractor.

Maybe the darned plate is moved forward too, I dunno. But I do remember that we had to buy the plate separate just to get that front end clear out far enough in front of the tractor so it would clear the kickerbed.

We were trying to put the topper on an H & fought mounting the thing for two days and finally drove across the county to look at another one that was mounted.

Had to have that plate to get 'er clear on out there. They are really an odd looking duck when stretched clear out, too.

I hate getting old! :>(

Allan

The plate would stay where it is bolted up in the picture. But it has additional holes so that the front end part can be moved ahead.

We used to have to push 'em out another foot or so when using a beet topper with it's underbelly kicker bed. You can set that trunion clear forward out underneath the forwardmost part of the mast.

The main steering tie rod has to be adjusted tho, and as I recall, it will turn sharper to the right than to the left (maybe the other way around, can't remember).

But, it will darned sure give you a huge unobstructed underbelly.

Allan

Yes, I know. But the thing will still go clearrrrr on out there and it needs the plate to do it.

Wish I lived closer to the Pioneer museum down on I-80 (they used to have an H stretched with an old beet topper mounted on it); I'd go take a picture of that thing, 'cause it is stretched to the limit. That trunion will set clear out in front of the tractor.

We had a heck of a time trying to get the clearance and I'll never forget that ordeal.

Also, this is why I was so bewildered when everyone here was telling me that the plate was for moving the front end "back" under the tractor. We were talking about two diffferent measurments.

Honestly enough, they were talking about from the tractor's boss holes back; I was talking about from "totally out in front of the tractor, itself". :>)

Allan

I have both an H and an M with the original style wide fronts. I do not have the plates attached, so you can see how far they will stick out when mounted where your normal pedestal would go. They were common to certain areas of the country. I live in Northwestern Minnesota, and the potato and sugarbeeet farmers used them a lot. The setback plate allowed the tractor to be used with a front loader and to turn in a shorter radius.

Mark

Here is the picture I tried to post above.

Here is the way the H looks with a side view.

Gordo

Gordo

Yes Sir, but it will still come further out than that.

This picture is exactly where we were at the day we were fighting this problem. We just could not understand how those other beet farmers were getting the clearance until we went and looked at another kickerbed mounted.

The plate will let a guy push that front end on out there another 3 or 4 inches. The trunion will be even with the front of the tractor and the lower radius rods will then bolt up about straight across from the radiator shroud.

Allan

There is another H w/wide front with a complete sugarbeet topper/lifter/sorting table assembly here in East Grand Forks. I will try to get a picture of it, but I think it will have to wait until warmer weather. They have it on display at our Heritage Days event every year. It is certainly something to see! My dad used to spend time riding up on the beet table sorting the beets and dirt when he grew up in the Fairview Montana area. He was in a wheel chair and on crutches for a few years early in life, but that was something he could do to help out.