F20 narrow crop front spindle

Hello was able to work on the '39 f20 a little this evening.
Found a part number on the axle that looks like. 16283D.
Does anyone recognize that part number? The rest of the
bolster looks normal. It does look like it maybe has a two inch
spacer block on the bottom between the axle and bolster shaft.
Thanks, Mike

The spacer is a normal addition to make the tractor sit level with rubber tires. have you tried narrower rims?

Mike, You have correct part# for your year tractor. As I wondered before if you might have the steel wheel version someone had installed but yours is the pneumatic tire option. Probably would have had single rib tires 6.00 x 16 which would be a little narrow compared to a normal 6.00 x 16 or 6.50 x 16 three rib tire. As I stated in previous post if you are going to use cast center you will have to use the 4.5 inch wide wheels to be able to clamp up rims to center tight and correct. Do you have any round spoke wheels to try on this tractor to compare how they fit or maybe some Kay Brunner option wheels. You might ask Guy Fay at Wisconsin archives about any info they might have on file as well. You have a very odd option and very few will know exactly what to do in this situation. I would venture to guess that very few of these are still out there and on tractors for the public eye. Great find and hope this helps. Dwayne

Thanks for the info guys. I have a correct set of rims to try on the tractor, in process of cleaning up and repainting before I remount 6.00x16 tri ribs onto them. I do have F&H round spokes that I could try if this won't work. Have not run across any Kay bruner or F&H adjustable front wheels yet. When I got the tractor it had one cast center and one steel cutoff on the front. Hoping to make the cast work out as I like the looks of them. Can the spacer block be added or taken out by removing the bolt in the bottom that looks to thread up into the bolster shaft? I have a duckbill F30 that looks like it needs one to allow the rubber tires to clear the cultivator brackets. Thanks for all of the help, learning lots, Mike

Mike, The spacer you are talking about was used to raise the front end of tractor to level up and give more clearance. The bolt in the bottom of bolster shaft is used to hold lower spindles on plus a place to mount wheel scrapers. Depending if this tractor had the spacer originally or if it has been added is the question. Some shafts in tractors are already longer from factory to allow of use of spacer and some shafts have been cut and have a piece welded into length to allow of use of spacer. This was real common practice back in the day either at the dealer or local blacksmith or fab shop. Shaft is not severe hard material so it can be done. I have spacers if you need one with different lengths. They range from 2 inches to 4 inches depending on what you need to get the level you want. Yes you could put a spacer in your duckbill 30 but probably have to find longer shaft or cut and extend yours. The amount of force it takes to press off spindles is pretty intense plus getting the spindles back on once you pressed off would just as hard to accomplish. Not saying you cant accomplish this just saying the spindles wont just fall off.