Poor mans power steering, and loader work

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Over on Simpletractors.com, I learned of a simple modification to the steer axle years and years ago. It involves installing Torrington bearings under the axle to reduce steering effort. Over the years, I have performed this modification to all my garden tractors. It really reduces steering effort, especially if you have the dozer blade on the front. And if you are just mowing or have an implement on the rear, its pretty much effortless steering. 

You drop the spindle out the bottom, and  put the washer on first, then the bearing, then the washer that I ground a few notches in to let the grease through. Reinstall the spindles, and cover it with a protective boot.

What does this have to do with farm equipment, you ask? 

 Few years ago, I bought a trip bucket loader from Lon over in Minnesota. Mounted it on the WD, man is that thing handy! I've never had a loader tractor before. 

But boy, does that thing steer hard. 

Hmmmmmmmm....... Here we go again!

Spent a little time at the drawing board downstairs in the littlemarvy R&D department.

Not long after,I was over in White Bear Lake for some Cummins training, so I was right in Lon's neighborhood again. Picked up an extra set of knees for a WD.  Set them downstairs on my workbench, and pretty much worked around them for almost a year. Other things get in the way, you know?

Well, we are having such an easy winter, and I'm tired of looking at them, lets get er done.

Took the hubs off, the wheel bearings are junk, like always. Heated up the Ackerman arms to get them off, removed the spindles, and removed the spindle bushings, which were shot as well.

There were two washers under the tube that bore the weight of the tractor when turning. They measured .160" thick. I bought two 1 5/8" kingpin bearings, which measured .840" tall. So, .840-.160=.680" difference. 

Took the tubes to a friend who happens to own a machine shop, quite handy.

Had him machine the bore for the lower bushing up .680" Then remove .680" from the bottom of the tubes. This will make room for the bearings, but still keep a full bushing on the bottom for maximum surface area.

I've always used the freezer for parts that have a press fit. Put the new bushings in with the beef stew meat for a few hours, makes them a little easier to drive home. 

Looks good as new!

Packed the kingpin bearings with a grease needle.

And began reassembly. Bearing on the bottom, and ackerman arm on the top. Very little up and down play.

Now to get the hubs back on. Stopped at the closest Allis dealer, they have a nifty Tisco kit, complete with bearings, races, felt seal, and washers. 

I wasn't going to install them till spring, but its still pretty warm out. Brought the WD down, I need to work on the loader itself a bit too. 

I changed the WD from narrow front to wide front years ago. I remember when I bought the axle from Alex09, I tried to adjust the axle, but it was stuck tight. Luckily it was stuck tight in the right spot, and the steer tires lined up with the rears. 

Figured I'd better have a porta power on hand, and I sure am glad I did. 

Unhooked the tie rod, turned the wheel 90 degrees, and used the porta power to slide the knee out a inch or two.

Who knows how long they've been in there. Once I got them to move a little ways, then I jacked it up to take the rest of the weight off, and used a small bottle jack to push them the rest of the way out.

Cleaned out the tube as best I could, and sanded the new knees a little bit. Applied some grease and slid them home. 

Switched the wheels over, adjusted the bearings. Greased the kingpins both on the ground and jacked up. Got grease coming out the top of the tube, and out the bottom of the bearings, so I know they are getting lube. I was kind of worried about that. Thought about adding a second grease zerk down low, but maybe I don't need to. 

So there, looking good. I think I will try and fashion some kind of rubber boot to clamp on to cover the bearing, to try and keep dust and dirt out. 

I bought the extra set of knees instead of modifying mine, just in case anything goes horribly wrong, I always have the old set of knees to slide back in if needed.

Too late to try and test it out tonight. Should get to test it out tomorrow.

Thanks for looking!

Edited by littlemarv - 02 Jan 2021 at 9:26pm

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