Massey Harris 44 steering worm shaft

[redd720]

I just looking parts book. i found that row crop, single front and standard has same steering worm shaft parts number......BUT...... the hi arch wide has different worm shaft parts number. Is that difference because of the length of shaft? I have row crop steering gear box housing going put it on Hi arch wide front. Do i have to change worm gear shaft.
Thanks
Tracy

 

[Mike in Mn.]

Hi Tracy
The wide front has a different worm shaft and gear, they turn backwards from all the rest. If you take a look to turn right with the wide front, the steering arm goes left to pull the tie rods to steer right. With the narrow front the worm and gear just turn the wheels in the direction of the shaft. So a gear box from a narrow front won"t work on a high arch front. If you use the worm and gear from a narrow front on a wide it will actually steer in the opposite direction the wheel is turned. On a 444 wide front they had the steering arm facing backwards so on that one it would work. For instance on a Schwartz wide front conversion the narrow front gear box and gear would work cause it was built as a conversion kit. On some the worm shaft was a different length, you can press the shaft out of the worm and change them or make a shaft that fits and press it back in. The gear boxes are the same, just the worm and gear are wound the other direction. Good luck on your project.