Super steer axle upgrade
 

Well, I've been thinking, I've got a rough 1861 here, that I've run a little bit, and noticed it really seems to have a much tighter turning radius than my 782, so I've been trying to dig up info on the upgrade. I can find some info but it seems incomplete to me.

1st off, it seems as though the 1861 itself isn't even considered a super steer tractor, but it sure seems to turn tighter than the 782, as I mentioned. I measured the frame height at the front of the tractor, and it's 2" taller than the 7 (I don't know if that is an indicator of axle type).

2nd, I thought I read about a low-profile super steer axle, that kept ride height the same, (this is what I'd really prefer to do) what do I look for or what models used this axle?

3rd, if I installed the taller super steer, it's obviously going to affect attachments....I've got a thrower & snow plow for the front end. Is the added height going to throw off the working angles of either attachment? And how will it affect my mower deck?

I've been digging around online the last night or so but just can't seem to dig up solid info. This 1861 is really looking more like an organ donor/parts machine but I don't want to start tearing it up until I know if it's a mistake to take it apart. When I got it I was really after the M18 but the axle could be a bonus.

I have some limited knowlege on this. I believe they made two super steer front axles. The ones used on the 1861/1862 then the ones for the 1863/1864. The 1861 axle is "straight across" from spindle to spindle. This differs from the 1863/4 which has a convex casting to allow for the bigger mower decks. I have 0 experiance with your axle, but my 1864 axle does raise the front end enough that the standard IH attachments, I.e. snow thrower, blade, etc.. will not work right without modification.


It is your decision to make. One thing to keep in mind that you can find a pwr steering cylinder with a bracket from an 1862 and column.. plumb it in an you have a very cool tractor that is even more enjoyable to run.