changing an H axle

Is it possible to change the axle on a 1941 H without taking the top cover off? I know that I need to get inside thru the pto and take off the bull gear retaining bolt. How hard is it going to be to put the bull gear back on once I have the new axle in place of the outer axle housing. Somebody before me welded (or tried to) the cast center to the axle shaft, and I want to fix it correctly.

<a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f160/brad1947/1941%20Farmall%20H/?action=view&current=tractorpictures008.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

The four bolts on the outer cap are what hold the axle in place. The easiest is to leave the wheel on to start with. Take out the four outer bolts With the tractor blocked up so you can turn the wheel, use a wrench through the PTO opening. Turn the wheel to loosen the bull gear retaining bolt. Once the bolt has been loosened, use a spacer between the two bull gear bolts and continue the turn the wheel to unscrew the bolt. As the bolt unscrews it will force the axle out of the bull gear and inner bearing. It will also push the outer bearing out along with the axle. When you run out of threads, if the axle is not loose enough to pull out, you can remove the heavy washer and screw it back in the axle, use a longer spacer or a longer bolt and repeat the procedure.

Going back together, block the bull gear up so that it is centered on the inner bearing. Leave the outer off the axle. Run the axle through the inner bearing. you can move the outer end around a little to help line up the bull gear. Once the bull gear is started on the axle you can use a longer bolt in the end of the axle to bull it together enough to get the original bolt started.

Owen has it right. I helped change on on a 300 with a 2MH picker on it one time. A little more of a challenge but it can be done.

I'll add to Owens great instructions, only one item---putting hardwood or metal shims under the bull gear just as it clears the axle makes it easier to get it the axle back in the hole because the bull gear remains centered. JimN

Isn't it amazing what some people will do to botch up a repair job. I suppose whoever welded this had broken the clamping block and had this other piece of metal that kinda fit the axle diameter, but to make sure it didn't move welded it to the axle. That picture needs to be in the archives under rediculous repair jobs. Roger

I am thinking that this tractor was flopped over on her side. The axle was sort of repaired, the fender was gone on this side, the seat and steering shaft are bent, the other fender was bent some and the J hooks that hold the hood tight were tore out from the sheetmetal.

Here is a picture of the entire tractor.
I know the alternator is not mounted correctly. More important things to fix than that at the moment.

<a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f160/brad1947/1941%20Farmall%20H/?action=view&current=tractorpictures005.jpg" target="_blank"></a>