Optional Front wheel assist on Farmall M

chickenfarmer · Jan 14, 2009

I was reading a book at the book store last week and saw a picture of an M with a front wheel assist set up hooked up to the belt pulley.

Does anyone have any more information about this?

Jake Winn · Jan 14, 2009

I believe they were an Elwood kit. Ive seen two 660's with FWA. They also made kits for 3010-4020 Deeres and the Early MM 4wd's had an Elwood axle under them. I know the axle used under the MM's were military surplus axles. If you look at one, you can see where the spring mounts were on the axle housing.

Im not sure about the drive on the IH. If it drives on belt pulley drive, it must have been only useable in one gear.

mattofvinings · Jan 14, 2009

Jake brings up a good point. This looks like a classic front axle on a locking-hub 4wd pickup truck which one could presumably find and adapt to the tractor.

But how to equally drive both front and rear axle at the same ground speed from the belt pulley drive is beyond me.

So I think you are right, it is good for MFWD in only a single gear and probably steers poorly when MFWD is engaged.

boomer22 · Jan 14, 2009

GA Dave posted a pic of one on here awhile back

Click Here To See Elwood Pic

J.J. from Afton · Jan 14, 2009

As others have said, they are usually elwood kits, that were put together by elwood using various components, the axles were the same ones used on the deuce and a half army vehicles. Than Elwood would make the drive systems for them to fit various tractors. Inlcuding IH, Oliver, Moline, John Deere. I have seen them on Ih 660s as well as the bigger Minnie Moes, like the G706. Originally the Elwood FWA was offered for the 560, 660, 706, 806, etc. Later IH tractors were availible with Coleman FWA axles before they went back to Elwood from my understanding.

The axles used on the 560 and 660 will also fit the Farmall M, but only work in one speed on the M cause it is driven off the belt pulley, while in the newer tractors it works in all gears.

This is an axle off a MM G706 that was rebuilt at tech school last year.
<a href="http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p168/JJ4h340/Shop%20pics/?action=view&current=RandomShoppics027.jpg" target="_blank">

RandomShoppics027.jpg" border="0" alt="G706 FWA

</a>
660 FWA

Harold H · Jan 14, 2009

The system works in four forward gears on the M, SM, 560, & 650 as well. There was a posting on either this site or on Red Power about a year or so ago explaning how this was done. The drive housing does mount in the same place as the belt pulley housing, but it drives off of different gears.

Harold H

Wardner · Jan 14, 2009

I own an IH 660 Elwood.

All ten forward gears and two reverse gears can run in 4 wheel drive. Power comes from the top side of the 4th gear slider on the main shaft. All gears on the mainshaft rotate in the same ratio as the rear wheels. Any gear could be used but 4th is closet to the Elwood gear box which replaces the belt pulley gearbox.

A 660 Elwood sold last month for $16,500 at a PA auction. Click below for completed listing.

The Elwood kit will fit all the way back to '39 M and corresponding W models. The gear that meshes with the 4th gear slider may have to be changed. I dunno. Otherwise it is a bolt on attachment.
eBay 660 Elwood

charles todd · Jan 14, 2009

I also have seen one on a Ford 841 Powermaster with a diesel. It was a log skidder of sorts. Would love to have that little 44 HP dream.

Charles

Wardner · Jan 15, 2009

The Elwoods steer fine although mine has power steering. Don't notice any difference when the front axle is engaged. I even have F & H wheel weights on my 660 front axle.

Good luck on making a kit to attach an axle. The patterns for the gearbox castings will probably cost over $5000 and you still have nothing to bolt to tractor.

To answer your other comments, see my post above.

Harold H · Jan 15, 2009

In order for the unit to work in multipal gears on the M, SM, 400, 450, 560, or 660, it has a wide gear that meshes with one of the main shaft sliding gears, in this case with the 4/5 sliding gear.

Harold H

Anonymous-0 · Jan 15, 2009

THANK U
GREAT THINKING
JAMMER

jammer · Jan 15, 2009

THANK U
GREAT THINKING
JAMMER

Zach Bouchard · Jan 17, 2009

They were made by Elwood, and I"ve heard that on the M they only worked when in first gear because the belt pully only has one speed.

Optional Front wheel assist on Farmall M

chickenfarmer

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