Flipping the diff in M???

Mitch D · Jan 20, 2011

Friend is wondering if it is possible to flip the differential in farmall m to make it go in the opposite direction?? We don't think this would cause any problems but want to check with somebody who has seen it done before. Thanks Mitch

NDS · Jan 20, 2011

Have done it but it has been a while and do not remember details. Frame cover has to be removed, bull gears removed so brake assembly can be pulled and then it is simple matter to turm ring gear. So far no problem BUT you have to have special frame cover to move shift lever to oppistit side and differenr shifting forks. Parts book shows parts needed as reverse operation attachment.

Faster346 · Jan 20, 2011

Why would you want this?

glennster · Jan 20, 2011

there were some oe packages for the h and m for reverse operation for cotton picker and fork lift platforms. i was never inside one of the conversions to see how they did it. the trans operated backward so reverse gave 5 speeds so the tractor went the opposite way with 5 speeds. kinda hard to explain.

Janicholson · Jan 20, 2011

The drive mechanics work, just end for end the differential and re-adjust tooth pattern.
The issue is that the gear shifting rails get into the path of the ring gear. A platform from a cotton picker, with right side rails and lever or other solutions for shifting is required There may be some later tractors with the casting bosses in place W/O being machined for the rails, I cannot remember the models. Jim

Mitch D · Jan 20, 2011

We are considering purchasing a cotton picker with 5 reverse and 1 forward gears as is. Would want to switch to it has normal 5 forward

DeltaRed · Jan 20, 2011

Why butcher up a rare tractor?Wouldnt it b easier to buy another tractor?A ;lot of guys used to 'reverse'an M and install a loader.I have a reversed F12.Handier than a shirt pocket,used daily.The H is at 'Farmall Land USA'museum in Avoca,IA.

Wardner · Jan 20, 2011

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The lid on the left is '39M. The other is 560.

You can see that the M lid doesn't have the bosses for reverse operation shifting rails. The 560 does but they are not machined. It may help if you blowup the image.

The 560 lid will bolt up but the shifting yokes are too big for the earlier transmission. That means you will have to use your M rails after cutting off the yokes and turning them 180. You will also have to drill and tap one hole for the steering column. May have to make an adaptor plate for the battery box and seat attachment.

You could do all this but you are better off getting a cotton picker lid. Can't remember if that is high or low drum. Harold H knows.

Wardner · Jan 20, 2011

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You could also use these drop boxes. Make sure they are gear drive and not roller chain drive. They come off some cotton pickers too.

Mitch D · Jan 20, 2011

the tractor is a cotton picker so it has the gear drop boxes which make it run in reverse correct? we want to make it drive forwards...

Janicholson · Jan 20, 2011

Taking off the gear housings and installing housings from a MV high crop would work, but they are very pricy and difficult to find.
Best bet is to swap the top plate from a different (reversed) cotton picker as I and Wardner have indicated.

mkirsch · Jan 20, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:13:32 01/20/11) We are considering purchasing a cotton picker with 5 reverse and 1 forward gears as is. Would want to switch to it has normal 5 forward

Making a reversed tractor go forward is easier, because the "forward" platform and shift rails are very common, easy to find at a salvage yard.

It's your tractor. Don't let anyone tell you what you should or should not do to it.

If the cotton picker is junk, for example, it's better to save the tractor than scrap the whole thing.
If the cotton picker has already been removed, the tractor isn't very useful set up to drive "backwards."

Jim Becker · Jan 20, 2011

(quoted from post at 15:02:52 01/20/11) the tractor is a cotton picker so it has the gear drop boxes which make it run in reverse correct? we want to make it drive forwards...

Is it a high drum or low drum cotton picker? A low drum picker has no drop housings and they were reversed by flipping the ring gear. You change it to normal operation by flipping the ring gear back. A high drum has the ring gear in the normal position and is reversed in the drop housings. You change it to normal operation by removing the drop housings, which also drops the rear of the tractor down to normal height..

Wardner · Jan 20, 2011

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This is the chain drive box that fits MV (high crop).

I don't quite understand this but I was at a cotton farmer's yard in Bakersfield, CA and he had two complete sets of these M chain-drives on pallets. Perhaps they came off a spray rig or cultivator tractor. I might be able to find the guy on Google maps.

NDS · Jan 20, 2011

If it has the drop boxes it was a high drum picker and all you have to do is remove drop boxes and it is back to forward operation. The axle housings will have flanges on end but will work fine as is. Only the low drum pickers were reversed by flipping ring gear and they do not have the drop boxes.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 20, 2011

From one who has had hands in the changeover operation of both low and high drum cotton picker tractors; if you want to keep a high drum picker tractor axle height the same as when the picker was in operation, you will have to remove the platform and swap sides with the ring gear. A high drum tractor may or may not have a transmission top that will allow switching sides with the shifting forks. A low drum picker tractor will have the transmission top that can be converted or a second top with the forks on the opposite side. If the forks can be swapped,there will be a small plate with three bolts the same pattern as the shift lever opposite of the shift lever. Just dropping the picker housings and remounting the wheels will lower the tractor 11 inches and reverse the gearing at the same time. I've got manuals, pickers and parts if you are interested in discussing further.

Harold H · Jan 20, 2011

The others have covered it pretty good. Basicly if it is a regular M and you want to reverse the direction without raising the tractor, you need to flip the differential and install a reverse top with the shift rails opposite. If it is a tractor of regular height already reversed, just reverse the above procedure. If it is a regular tractor and you want to raise it and reverse it, you will need flange type axle housings and install cotton picker bull gears which will reverse the operation. If it is already on bull gears and you want to leave it on the bull gears, you will need to flip the differential and install a reverse top with the opposite shift forks. Whichever operation you are doing, be sure to mount the front wheels, single or dual, so the caster will be correct for the direction you chose so it will steer correctly.

Haqrold H

charles todd · Jan 20, 2011

The reversed tractor-loaders are cool. I can see where they would benefit over a standard 2wd loader-tractor.

Thanks DeltaRed for sharing!

CT

Flipping the diff in M???

Mitch D

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Faster346

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glennster

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Janicholson

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Mitch D

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