Anyone operate or familiar with the Elwood front axle for a Farmall M? What was the utility of it realative to which gears could you engage it; did the engine have enough power to operate it, and how did it steer? Tom

The Elwood drove through the belt pulley opening driving from the 4/5 gear in the transmission. it could be used in 1, 2, 3, 4, & R. It steered from linkage to the normal tricycle mounting bolster. It did not affect the power, only increased the traction. Would fit; M, SM, SMTA, F 400, F 450, F & I 560, and I 660. Different front mounting and steering on I models 560 & 660.

Harold H

<a href="http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/Wardner/?action=view&current=Wang-tractor057.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

<a href="http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/Wardner/?action=view&current=elwood008.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Harold, I have an Elwood FWA on my 660.

I have never pulled the top off the transfer case nor have I tested the FWA in fifth gear, but I see no reason why it shouldn't work in either low or high range fifth gear.

While I have never seen the early Elwood on the Industrial or Wheatland variants of the M thru 450, I can't see any reason why it shouldn't work on those models with appropriate drag link type steering changes. Not a big deal. Elwood probably had kits for those tractors.

Tjfmichigan, for the most part, when the transfer case is engaged and traction is good, I don't notice any difference in tractor performance even when turning. It does have power steering. I suppose if I was turning on hot-top, I might see some front wheel hop. Problem with that scenario is that I have never put the tractor on pavement except for the day I brought it home more than ten years ago. Turning radius is very large anyway.