SteveK440 30 #1 Posted October 3, 2022 Have questions but please don't frown on my thought of cross breeding a deer with a horse. I have a 418-6 that I want to replace the front axle with a swing axle and later toying with the idea of adding Power steering. Being that 520 swing axles are hard to come by, I have found someone on another forum who had a 72 Raider that installed a swept axle from a John Deere model 216 https://www.gardentractortalk.com/threads/almost-a-520-front-axle-swap.43467/#post-554554 I have researched if anyone has thought of this concept on wheel horse 400 to 500 models but exhausted all avenues on if someone has brainstorm and ran into a road block. I have brainstorm several questions, first is pivot pins same length and diameter? second question, is the axle pivot area the same width or will there be interface or slack that the pivot will need to be modified. Third, will the JD 216 Axle interfere with the front pulley which is an idler for the mower deck? I have studied the dimensions on these mowers according to tractor data and over all length of the two axles is four inch increase which means the front to rear track will be off by two inches but I could compensate with off set rims or add wheel spacers. Any thoughts? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,595 #2 Posted October 3, 2022 Check the Classifieds. I have several 520 reduction steering / forward swept axles listed for sale. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,835 #3 Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) I've done it- several years ago. It's quite a bit of work to convert, mainly because the knuckles use steering tabs at the front of the axle as opposed to the sides. I had to completely redesign the steering tabs to work with WH steering. To answer your other questions, it's best to take the wheels as well. Also- The spacing of the pivot area will require almost an inch of spacer to keep everything snug. Edited October 3, 2022 by kpinnc 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveK440 30 #4 Posted October 12, 2022 Sorry for the late thanks for the response and thanks KP for your photo of your rolling chassis. However I need to pull a Columbo and ask a few more questions. Did you include gear reduction steering or is it possible? Any improvements or disappointments in steering or pivoting of chassis on inclines? You stated it was best to get the JD wheels with the 216 axle, can you explain why you think this is a good idea? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,835 #5 Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) 12 hours ago, SteveK440 said: Did you include gear reduction steering or is it possible? Any improvements or disappointments in steering or pivoting of chassis on inclines? You stated it was best to get the JD wheels with the 216 axle, can you explain why you think this is a good idea? No reduction steering. So long as you make the steering tabs as long as WH versions, it won't be hard to steer. Remember that 1991 520s had swept axle bit no reduction. The 520 lower steering tab was longer than standard, but you should still be OK. The reason I mentioned getting the wheels is because my axle had 1 inch spindles. The wheels are held on by 3/8 bolts, and they use sealed bearings. WH 520s use tapered bearings and 3/4 crown nuts on 1 inch spindles with a grease cap. I doubt the cap on JD wheels are heavy enought to maintain tension on tapered bearings. You might be fine converting WH wheels, but it's far easier to run the wheels that are made for the spindles. Lastly- you'll likely want to make up new drag links. No standard WH versions will be long enough. 520 versions might work, but you'll have to drill both tabs for 1/2 studs. Edited October 12, 2022 by kpinnc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
