Help mounting OEM front weight bracket on 3910

[FordManiac]

Anyone done this before? I'm trying to do this now but due to the front axle it's very hard to install the bracket. Do I need to remove the axle? Thank you

 

[Sean in PA]

It should mount to the front of the bolster, under the grill, not back by the axle. Here's a picture from Google Images. Sorry for the size of the picture, but it's the only one I could find that shows a good angle so you can see how it mounts:

 

[FordManiac]

Yeah but 2 of the 4 bolts go in from top just behind front axle pivot point. Then those two attach to secondary mounting adapter that in turn mounts to primary bracket. The bracket uses two bolts to attach as you described. They are easy to get to.

 

[FordManiac]

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[FordManiac]

Bolts 7 or 8 and 15 used for mounting. Not sure why they show 7 and 8. They are different lengths.

 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

Jack the front axle up, on one side, as high as you can without lifting the other side wheel, or run one side up on a block/ramp.
That should allow you to drop the bolt in under the axle, then repeat for the other side.
HTH, Dave
PS: Prolly worth the few bucks to get grade 8 bolts, also suggest use fine thread bolts, as they are easier to tighten and keep tight! Not sure, but if memory serves, you will prolly want 3/4" x 2-1/2 or 3" bolts

 

[FordManiac]

 

[FordManiac]

(quoted from post at 05:11:40 10/22/15)

Thank you. By the way these are part descriptions. Not sure why they list both #7 and #8 bolts for same location though.

 

[Sean in PA]

From the parts diagram, if you zoom in, bolt 7 goes in a different hole than bolt 8. It looks like there should be two upper holes, set wider apart that use bolt 8 and two lower holes set in a little closer to the center that use bolt 7.

Which secondary bracket are you trying to use, 9 or 10? From the part descriptions, bracket 9 is only for use with a Sekura cab, and bracket 10 is only for use with the tow hook and the Q cab. So if you don't have either of those cabs it seems like you should be able to use 4 bolts (2x7 & 2x8) in the main bracket and not need a secondary bracket. But maybe I'm not understanding the parts diagram correctly.

 

[FordManiac]

Actually 9 is used without cab also. I have another tractor that it came OEM is how I know. Why do you think it's not used on the standard version?

 

[Sean in PA]

(quoted from post at 12:55:14 10/22/15)

Actually 9 is used without cab also. I have another tractor that it came OEM is how I know. Why do you think it's not used on the standard version?

Because the description for part number 9 says:

BRACKET Assy., W/Sekura Cab, Start Year: 01-JAN-81

The "W/Sekura Cab" part means "With Sekura Cab". Usually when the description says "With" a particular cab, then it is implied that you do not need that particular part when you do not have that particular cab. But then again, that parts site is getting more and more things incorrect as time goes on and there's fewer people at New Holland who know anything about the older tractors.

 

[FordManiac]

I see what you mean but that's not correct. Every ford tractor I've ever seen with these weights has both brackets so must be a mistake in drawing. And two front bolts are not enough to hold over 300lbs in that position. You need the two vertical bolts that go up through the small bracket to help support the weight. With that said though I now see what you mean regarding the different bolts. # 8 is the one I need as 7 is for the cab version or for something else. Now just gotta raise the axle up as mentioned here to see if I can get those two vertical bolts in. Thanks for your help. Here is a pic of my tractor that came from factory with weights already assembled. Not a cab tractor.

 

[FordManiac]

Actually after looking again #7 is one used to attach both brackets together. 8 goes into front bolster bracket of tractor.

 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

I'd speculate that the whole parts list is messed up!
Part # 14 = Nut 5/8"-18
Part # 15 = Bolt 5/8"-11x2-1/4"
Gonna be fun getting that fine thread nut on that coarse thread bolt!!
Just for info, I have mounted front mount fork lifts on SU's, and have always used 3/4" bolts, down through, under the axle!
YMMV, Dave

 

[FordManiac]

(quoted from post at 18:26:48 10/22/15) I'd speculate that the whole parts list is messed up!
Part # 14 = Nut 5/8"-18
Part # 15 = Bolt 5/8"-11x2-1/4"
Gonna be fun getting that fine thread nut on that coarse thread bolt!!
Just for info, I have mounted front mount fork lifts on SU's, and have always used 3/4" bolts, down through, under the axle!
YMMV, Dave

That's interesting about the 3/4" bolts as the retaining nut on top side looks huge on my 4610su with properly installed weight set. But the bottom bolt head looks like normal 5/8" to me. The reason I'm going through all this anyways is the guy that put on the bracket of my 3910 only used 3 of the 4 bolts causing 1 front bolt to break and the other to rip out of the casting. He said he couldn't get the second one in which is why he left it out. So now I have a guy trying to weld back cast iorn piece which I hope it works. He will dig out broken bolt on one side and weld up piece that broke out on the other side. Then that side will have to be re tapped. On top of this the 1 vertical bolt bent then broke and almost pulled the 5/8" nut down through the top hole. This leaves me to believe 3/4" bolt or a special 5/8" nut is required. When I get home I'll see if a 3/4" bolt will go through the opening on the small bracket. If so then that's the answer as the holes in the front bolster bracket of the tractor are in fact large enough for 3/4" bolts. Thank you

 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

I'm suspecting the reason for the "oversized" nuts is because the holes in the bottom of the bolster are cast, not machined, and also have a somewhat concave shape, from the top, not a flat surface. It was for that reason, I used 3/4" bolts, as I was installing them from the top down, instead of from the bottom up. It also appears that the OEM nuts might be cone shaped, sort of like a lug nut, to better seat in the bolster casting.

 

[FordManiac]

I actually ordered the OEM nuts last week so am curious what they look like. My feeling is they will be just another standard 5/8" nut though. Hopes are not real high but we will see.