Narrow front wheels with "super steer axle"

[ccannon222]

I have a 126 that I use for snow removal in the winter time. I have a 42" plow and a QA42 snow thrower. I am currently running narrow front wheels with tri-ribs and 23x8.50 turfs filled with RV anti-freeze and dual wheel weights.

I love the current setup, however the front axle is wore jam out. Spindles, steering arm and axle casting are very sloppy. This tractor has been in my family since new in 1970 and it hasn't had a summer or winter off. Engine has been overhauled a couple times.

I want to replace the front axle with an axle off of a CCC 1535. This axle is similar to the factory axle in looks and function. My problem is that I can not find any narrow front wheels that will work with the 1" spindles?

I thought about modifying the 1535 spindles to accept the 3/4 ID wheel bearing on my existing wheels, however I like the idea of having the larger wheel bearings as I have had to change out the 3/4 bearings a couple times over the years due to the weight of the thrower and the abuse this tractor receives.

Any ideas?

Chris

[Yosemite Sam]

First off, please understand that I am not familiar with the axle and wheels from a 1535 so I don't know what the wheels look like.

I have cut wide Narrow Frame wheels and welded them back together to make narrow wheels with good results.

I chuck them in the lathe and cut a band about 1 3/8 wide out of the wide side of the wheel, then weld them (inside and out) back together, then put them back in the lathe and "clean up" the welds to make them look nicer.

Depending on how the wheels you have, are made this may not be practical or even possible.

Hopefully someone will come along with the brand and part number of the bearings that you need and get you fixed up.

[dale c.]

have a machine shop cut the hubs out of your narrow rims and make new 1" bearing hubs and weld them back in

[ccannon222]

Those are good ideas. Thanks. I will check with our local machine shop to see if they can cut the 3/4 hubs out and put 1" back in.

Finding a bearing with the same OD as the current bearing and with a ID of 1" is an interesting idea. I wonder how much that would effect the load carrying ability and longevity.

The only idea I came up with since my original post was to run trailer hubs and wheels on the 1535 spindles. I read some old posts on ihcubcadets where someone did that. Great idea if you are using a loader, however I don't think I need that strong of setup.

Beside, I'm trying to keep this tractor looking somewhat original.

Chris

[ccannon222]

How much should I expect to pay to have the hubs cut out of the narrow wheels and have new hubs supplied and welded in?

I'm being told the local machine shop is very expensive and they would probably charge $75 to $100 a wheel.

Chris

[Sam Mac]

Do you have the wheels from the 1535?

[ccannon222]

I do. The bead surface is a little bent but I'm sure it can be straighten out ok.

Chris

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by ccannon222

I do. The bead surface is a little bent but I'm sure it can be straighten out ok.

Chris

Post a pic of what you have to work with. Most of the time those wheels can be straightened pretty easy with an adjustable wrench, pliers and a ball peen hammer. Some new tires with tubes and you should be good to go.

Where in VA are you?

[ccannon222]

Wheels are in my father's garage. Next time I've over there I'll snap a few pix. The beads are not that bad. They can be straightened out.

The problem is they are too wide for the tires I like. I could cut and weld them like one person suggested, however I have no way of making sure the cuts and wheel are straight.

I am located in the Fredericksburg region, however I take trips around the state several times a year.

Chris

[sgirdham]

IMHO you would be better off replacing the worn our narrow frame steering parts, do the super steer upgrade and use the HD tie rod ends. People have done this for years with a lot of success. There are several threads on this forum as examples.