Steering alignment question?

[Crickets 4]

One of my sons bought me this wore out, beat up and wrecked 1980 Wheel Horse C 165 Auto plus deck and front blade in 2017. I am in the middle of restoring it to functionality.  I need to check out this discrepancy;  if the front wheels are aligned straight ahead the steering rake mechanism appears to be off center about 15 degrees to the right.  Is this correct (normal)?   Images attached.

All comments will be considered.

[troutbum70 858]

I would think it should be in the center to be able to turn equally left or right.

[ZXT 2,401]

3 minutes ago, troutbum63 said:

I would think it should be in the center to be able to turn equally left or right.

[8ntruck 7,883]

 

Some tractors have different length tie rods.  Is it possible this is one of those tractors and the tie rods are on the opposite sides from where they should be?

[Lee1977 7,224]

Some Wheel Horses the triangle plate on the lower steering shaft were welded wrong from the factory. We have seen this before. I don't think the tie rods would be that much off, but it's possible. 

With the gear straight up and centered the triangle plate should be straight down .

[Skipper 1,789]

Key to good alignment is that the triangle is in the right position, then correct problems in both ends from that starting point.

[squonk 43,944]

Some models are made to turn sharper to the left. This is for trimming around trees ect. Mainly for use with the right side discharge mowing decks 

[Pullstart 67,066]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Some models are made to turn sharper to the left. This is for trimming around trees ect. Mainly for use with the right side discharge mowing decks 

 

I’ve experienced this a few times, but never knew why!  Thanks Squonk!

[WHX?? 51,916]

11 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

lower steering shaft were welded wrong from the factory

I have seen this but only on later model 520's

 

11 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

With the gear straight up and centered the triangle plate should be straight down .

then set the wheels for strait and see what you would need for tie rods.. possibly custom ones? 

Edited April 16, 2020 by WHX24

[Lee1977 7,224]

If it has equal length tie rods on it now it still won't steer right by changing the length of the tie rods.  Because the triangle will be off at the same angle as the gear is now.

[Anglo Traction 761]

From what I can make out from your first image of the Tractor, it is fitted with the standard 'fixed length' steering rods. So it probably has the misaligned Quadrant on the main shaft.

I had this issue on my (UK) rebuild project topic some years back on here, although Belgium factory fitted adjustable rods to attempt to compensate.

I've dug it out and put a link here to  the relevent page (5) and is about half way down the page.  -LINK-

I replaced the lower shaft with a correctly aligned one, but it may be possible to grind the weld joint away,then realign and weld/pin the Quadrant.

Additionally, it seems that if you go to adjustable rods, there is a preferential initial setting of about 1/8" Tow In to provide good stable tracking. Worked well for me.  

[Crickets 4]

The tie rods are the same length 9 3/4".  I think SQUONK has the best explanation.  This tractor had a rt side discharge mower on it.  Apparently this is not a one time flub on my machine others have pointed out other examples.  However I think mine has gone a gear tooth or two too far to the right.  

It is absolutely amazing to me the wealth of knowledge, the technical expertise and esoteric information found on RED SQUARE.

 

Thanks for all the help.