wd 45 NFE vs WFE

[souNdguy]

other than the obvious difference of a lack of an axle.. what are the differences in setup of the front bolster between WFE and NFE?

any inherrent probs with the NFE?

thanks
 

[old]

Never messed with a wide front WD45 but the narrow front from what I have seen are almost bullet proof. I use one to rake hay with most years and other then the fact they are not the best riding tractor it does a good job
 

[JMS/.MN]

WFE you can unbolt the axle and put a narrow "picker" front on it. Narrow front is a one piece casting, turns shorter.
 

[Joe(TX0]

The steering gear is differant. The wide front can also use the single wheel. The narrow front is just that. Btw, There are 2 differant styles of wide fronts, the 3 bolt on the early ones (WD) and the 4 bolt on the later WD45's.
 

[Allis Dave]

WFE's add more weight to the front for plowing and float over ground better. They didn't have greass fittings on the pivot points so most of them are keyholed out badly by now. It's easier to pull the motor on a NFE because you can just unbolt the front engine support. on a WF the front engine support is also the rear support for the front axle.
 

[hd6gtom]

Dad would not buy a wide front WD45 because he thought you could cultivate taller corn with a narrow front end. The new D17 1958 came with both narrow, for the picker, and the wide front that was put on as soon as the corn picker came off. The wide ran down the road better, provided more weight for the 4 row rear mount equiptment and was easier for a 10 year old kid to run.