Curious: wide front (super) A and (super) C commonality

Hendrik · Feb 21, 2012

The adjustable wide front of a (Super) A has the bolts of the half circle clamps and the pin of the tube-in-tube joint vertical, while those of the wide front of a (Super) C are horizontal.
Was there an engineering argument to make them different? Is the height of the knuckle different?
The drive towards parts commonality would dictate them to be equal for both tractor types.
Your comments, please. Thanks, Hendrik

mkirsch · Feb 21, 2012

There wasn't much drive towards "parts commonality" in the 1930's and 1940's when these tractors were designed. At least, not nearly on the scale that it's going on today.

Odds are likely that the reason for the difference is simply because the tractors were designed approximately 10 years apart. The original A design was started in the mid 1930's while the C's design was done almost 10 years later.

CNKS · Feb 21, 2012

Don't know exactly what you are asking, but the Super A axle is offset, the C axle is centered. Steering goes to the right side on the A, left on the C. I believe people have put a C axle on a B. I think IH used common parts when it was convenient, not sure they designed tractors with that in mind, though.

Hendrik · Feb 22, 2012

While I agree that the A is offset and the C is symmetrical, in my opinion, with respect, the front axles are symmetric on both tractors.
My question is on the reason for the different orientation of the clamps that hold the axle extensions in the center (tube) axle section; see pics.
From what you and Matt Kirsch point out, I understand that parts commonality was not much of a factor then. However, I found that the semicircular clamps are identical for both tractor types (part number 59279D); go figure.
https://www.external_link.com/projectimages/farmall/FarmallA/FarmallAa.jpg
C front axle

Hendrik · Feb 22, 2012

Thanks Matt, for your comment. Less emphasis on parts commonality then makes sense. However, the clamps of the C were "borrowed" from the A...
my other reply

mkirsch · Feb 22, 2012

I came up with another theory... Perhaps they were trying to make the manufacturing process more efficient?

If you look at the C/Super C wide front center tube, the holes are all drilled front to back. By doing that, you eliminate the operation that turns the tube 90 degrees.

Drilling the adjustment holes in the knees front to back is also easier because you can lay the part flat on the table. Drilling top to bottom, you have that spindle tube hanging down that requires a much more complex jig to support.

Hendrik · Feb 22, 2012

Good thinking! Manufacturing efficiency may well have played a role. Of course, there are many variables involved in such decisions, such as drilling the holes before or after welding the knee together.
In your previous reply you indicated that the C was developed roughly 10 years after the A. The Cub, however, was developed around the same time as the C and the Cub has the holes vertical. And so do the German designed and built tractors (DLD, D430, etc.), which were also developed after 1947 (give or take a few years).
We will probably never know. Interesting discussion nonetheless!
Thanks, Hendrik

Jim Becker · Feb 22, 2012

The outer axle tubes also needed to be drilled for the spindle tube to be welded in. Chances are all holes were drilled before the welding.

Once again pure speculation, but if the Super A and C tubes were the same diameter but had some other dimensional difference, they may have deliberately run the holes the other way to prevent assembly onto the wrong model tractor.

Hendrik · Feb 23, 2012

You may well be right. I accept that it can only be speculation. It is very important to make (slightly) differing parts clearly dstinguishable at the assembly line. Do not ask how I know.
Thanks, Hendrik

Curious: wide front (super) A and (super) C commonality

Hendrik

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Hendrik

Member

Hendrik

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Hendrik

Member

Jim Becker

Well-known Member

Hendrik

Member

Similar threads