Won't turn very short?

Tractorcedric · Mar 22, 2022

I will post his on the Massey site as well. I was plannig to use this SORTA Massey Harris 22 to plant some pasture with my drill. But I noticed that it does not turn very short. I have a parts book for it, but the parts book shows some of the same parts with the same part numbers. But some of my tractors parts look different and have different casting numbers. Hope that some one on here can see what I have verses what I should have. Note that it does steer real easy.

redforlife · Mar 22, 2022

In the bottom picture, What does it look like on the other side when in that position? The tire/rim about rubbing on the upper axle tube?? If so, probably why it won't turn very short. Because of how it is. The set up. Not sure there is much you can do to change that.
Is the hubs and spindles what you are thinking is not right for the tractor front end? I can't answer that one.

For what its worth, the wide front ends back in that era didn't turn very
short. Not just limited to the Massey Harris's either. They actually didn't, but seemed further worsened by how the tricycle versions could turn exceptional sharp. Get off of a narrow front, and get onto a wide front, and it seemed as if you couldn't turn at all. LOL.

Janicholson · Mar 22, 2022

The steering arms are in the correct position for Ackerman design steering. There should be about 1/8 to 3/16 toe in when pushing against a 2X4 with the front wheels. This is checked by the following technology: Jack up one side so the wheel turns free. Use a nail in a board to mark the circumference on the center rib with a stripe by rotating the tire against the nail point as a scribe. This makes a nice circle. Do the same to the other tire. Now let it down and roll the tractor forward against a 2X4 to pur rearward pressure on the tires. Measure between the score marks at the very front, and at the very rear of the tire. the difference is toe in. The front should be closer together than the rear. If the steering gear is working correctly in the bolster, the steering arm in the center should move near all the way to the ends of the slot. If not, something is bound up, or some limit tab or stop, is in the wrong position. Jim

Steve@Advance · Mar 22, 2022

First thing I would check is that the steering will turn all the way to the end of the steering gear travel, both ways, before the tie rod length stops it. Might be easier to take the tie rods off the pitman arm first.

Then count the turns from lock to lock. The arm should be the same distance from the side of the opening on both sides. Then go back 1/2 the turns and see if the pitman arm is pointing straight ahead, equal distance from each side of the opening. That will tell if the gear is operating and assembled as it should be.

With the gear still straight ahead, set the toe in, keeping the wheels equally straight as you make adjustments.

One more thing to check, before setting the toe in, that the arms are tight to the spindle shafts. Any slack at all will loose turning radius and change the toe in.

John in Mich · Mar 22, 2022

No one has mentioned the brakes. Tractors have 2 brake pedals, left and right. My '51 8N Ford is a utility (wide front) tractor. In first and second gear, I can stand on either brake and pivot the tractor without turning the steering wheel from straight forward. How are your brakes?

Duner Wi · Mar 22, 2022

You can sort of compare to this one.

https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/gn1118/gn1118-345451/images/[email protected]?1536678609000

Tractorcedric · Mar 22, 2022

Yes that is what it looks like. Lots of good answers on here. I have checked to see if it is traveling as far as it will go each way. In the one picture you can see the opening for the center arm is not very wide, but it travels side to side. I guess that is why the brakes are worn out. Thanks to everyone!

Janicholson · Mar 22, 2022

Lengthening the center lever 2 inches would make a big difference. Jim

paul · Mar 22, 2022

I was going to say, the farm all 300 had really poor turning with the wide front, just wasnt designed for the sharp cornering in those days.

The Schwartz wide front on the 960 is ok, and the little 4wd NH 1920 which I thought would have poor turning with the powered front axle can turn on a dime!

Paul

ss55 · Mar 23, 2022

Until the 1960s a lot of wide front ends could not turn very short, especially compared to the same tractor with a narrow front end. Without power steering you had to make a compromise between easy steering and short turning radius. That may just be how your tractor was designed. Your best bets might be to fix the turning brakes first and if that is not enough then look for a narrow front end.

Won't turn very short?

Tractorcedric

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redforlife

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Janicholson

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Steve@Advance

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John in Mich

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Duner Wi

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Tractorcedric

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Janicholson

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paul

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ss55

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