Front axle reinforcement for loader applications

[inairam]

I had a crack in my front axle spindle tubes on my loader. I ended buying an axle and reinforcing it then swapped it out. I also upsized the wheels and tires. The ag tires did not do well with a load in the bucket.

I would like to thank John *.?-!.* for all of his suggestions. This is basically my interpretation of his ideas/ design.

1) Welded the cross brace to an extra set of axle clamps so it did not have to be welded to axle tube. Great idea. I went to the middle of the tube to stay away from welding right on top of the bushing at the bottom.
2) Added Thrust Needle-Roller Bearings, http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rolli ... s/=13q7z6s are 1-1/8" Shaft Diameter, 1-3/4" OD with washer to help ease steering. Nice touch
3) 12x 7 lawn tractor rear wheels with 6 ply tires dished out. 35 psi max ( I deviated here from the John's trailer tire at 50 psi. I run on a good deal of soft ground and wanted to go wider)

Thanks to John again and all of the great info on the site.

[Bob McCarty]

Nice mods. Did you use the thick or thin washers with the thrust bearing? Did you need to modify the spindle or arm any?

Thanks, Bob

[inairam]

The only mod was to the axle extensions and the extra clamps. The axle, spindles, knuckles, tie rods were not modified. Again, John's design.

The crack was at the top of the extension on the left side of the tractor. It looked as if a PO did some welding on it before. Everything else worked so I did not see a need to beef anything else up. The PO did grease the axle extensions. When I disassembled the axle assembly I removed, it can apart very easily. ( Thank you PO) I did the same on the axle I assembled.

This was on a 1948 cub. I reversed ( turned around) the thrust washers that were there. They did not look bad to me and there was no real slop forward/back on the front axle when I was done. I do not know if they were the thick or thin ones.

[Crimson Tim]

I have always thought the Cub front end rather tall, spindly, and light weight for much loader use. Of course that wouldn't stop me from doing it for a minute... Just carefully.
This should go a long way toward making this vulnerable area much more rugged, and with a simple modification, too. Well done!

[Barnyard]

This is the axle that is under my loader Cub.

[inairam]

Well, that front end is not going anywhere! Nice fabrication.

[Super A]

I have always thought the Cub front end rather tall, spindly, and light weight for much loader use. Of course that wouldn't stop me from doing it for a minute... Just carefully.
This should go a long way toward making this vulnerable area much more rugged, and with a simple modification, too. Well done!

The one arm loader is a neat implement but I honestly wouldn't expect much out of it on a Cub, heck I expect it would be marginal on a Super A--140. But if you have plenty of time, why not?

Al

[Crimson Tim]

I have always thought the Cub front end rather tall, spindly, and light weight for much loader use. Of course that wouldn't stop me from doing it for a minute... Just carefully.
This should go a long way toward making this vulnerable area much more rugged, and with a simple modification, too. Well done!

The one arm loader is a neat implement but I honestly wouldn't expect much out of it on a Cub, heck I expect it would be marginal on a Super A--140. But if you have plenty of time, why not?

Al

It may not be super efficient, but it's better than a shovel!

[inairam]

The IH 1000 it is a hydraulic wheel barrel. It is great for alot jobs, but if you are serious about digging or moving a lot of material you need to consider something else.

[Bill Hudson]

The IH 1000 it is a hydraulic wheel barrel.

At 74 years old, I think that is a wonderful analogy. Just my size and just my speed -- with a lot less effort. I've gotta get that puppy back on a Cub.

Bill

[ScottyD'sdad]

The IH 1000 it is a hydraulic wheel barrel.

At 74 years old, I think that is a wonderful analogy. Just my size and just my speed -- with a lot less effort. I've gotta get that puppy back on a Cub.

Bill

Bill, at our age, a self loading, self unloading, self pushing wheelbarrow, is perfect! I use my lo-boy with Wagner loader, a lot!
Ed

[Bill Hudson]

Bill, at our age, a self loading, self unloading, self pushing wheelbarrow, is perfect! I use my lo-boy with Wagner loader, a lot!
Ed

You betcha!!!!

Bill

[wrz]

I have gotten advice from John too to improve the steering on my Lo Boy with a 45 wagner loader. The thrust washers are a great idea. On my 64 Lo Boy it has the larger worm gear (21 to 24 teeth) which really makes it steer easier. I have picked up a later worm gear (24 teeth) and steering shaft to put on the 59 Lo Boy with loader when I get the engine back together.
On the Lo Boy with the shorter spindle tubes support doesn't seem to be a problem . The spindles have rotated back and the pin holes ( on the axle tube) are worn and make it harder to turn. The bracing and extra clamp may help this problem.

Wm

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

One more thing I did was to ad a strut to the spindle to help reduce forward/backward stress from running over uneven places when moving. Due to grease fitting locations the strut is on the front of one side and the rear of the other.

[tst]

this is a reinforcement I have had on several cubs with loaders