1" spindles on c160 for loader

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Bought a loader this week. Kinda a score as it has been unused for a while. Guy didn't know what he had. Anyway I want to mount it on my C160H. Have read around and seems 1" axle upgrade will be necessary. Whats the best way you guys know? Replace whole axle from something else or can I drill out the old axle? Do I even need an upgrade to hold this loader. By the way it is an ARK brand 48" bucket. Came with original owners manual and bill of sale . Pretty cool.

[1maidenfan 202]

:banana-gotpics: good score on the loader... :woohoo:

[baerpath 517]

You don't need to, but ;lots replace the front axle and steering from a 520. Makes it easier to steer and sets the axle forward for better weight distrabution,

There is also the front loader axle from WH with 1 inch acles and roller bearing rims. This axle was also used on the C 185 because of the extra weight of the batteries

Duane

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

I would highly suggest that you add a weight box out back. The ARK loader is very long. I had one on a D (auto18). IMO that is a lot of loader for that tractor. Be careful how much weight you pick up with it. Good luck!

[wallfish 17,106]

The original "Heavy Duty" spindle kit that was sold with the Ark loader was just a small brace added to the bend of the standard 3/4" spindles. They are still on my loader tractor and haven't had any problems but they will eventually be changed to the 520 parts when I get around to it. The parts have been sitting on a shelf for over a year now.

So the best way is the 520 stuff but the easiest way is to weld litttle braces to your existing spidles.

[sorekiwi 761]

Another thread on loader spindles:

[midnight rambler 36]

the best thing for you to do is put the swept axle from a 520 along with the rear reduction steering under it, you will be happy you did. i have the complete setup with ag tires on the front rims if your interested? the front tires only have about 1000ft on them. where are you located? send me a msg if interested tom

also i have a factory weight ballast box for a 520 and should fit on your 160 with little work

[midnight rambler 36]

if your interested to help out i will be in portage indiana dec 9th

[buckrancher 2,694]

on the C-165 I have with a ark 510 loader the tractor came with the factory front hd spindles that john (wallfish ) talks about

But one of mine had been broken and rewelded and of course welded crooked

So I bored the axle out to 1" and installed 520 front spindles and wheel rims. The 520 spindles are longer where they fit thru the

axle than the original HD axles so that you can add the thrust bearings to the spindles like the 520 front axle uses I also

made my own tye rods using a larger HD type end from McMaster-Carr the only other thing I had to modify was to open up

the hole dia. in the lower steering shaft for the HD tye rod ends

Brian

Edited December 1, 2012 by buckrancher

[Dieselcowboy 210]

You all have very good ideas for how ever I would want to do this. I like the easy bracing. Don't need too much work in this as I could just put is on my 400 deere or a D200 of my dads. But the C160 stays at my house.

The john deere axle swap is awesome. There are plenty of JD carcasses around here for the picking.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Has anyone had to replace the steel hyd lines on one of these loaders? I busted one while strightening tonight. Can I get steel line and flare fittings and make my own. From where?

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Is it possible to bore the original axle to accept a 1" spindle and have enough meat left to support the new spindle and loader wieght?

[MalMac 1,331]

There is a Heavy Duty wheel spindle kit part# 80494 I don't think it is offered anymore but you can try. The kit was for tractors that one would put a loader on. The kit include heavy duty spindles, tire and rim with heavy duty bearings. This is what I have on mine. A while back there was a run on them when people seen what good a deal is was because it included everything tires,rims,spindles and hardware for under 300 bucks. Now I think you can still get the rims Part# 1118070 and the spindles Part# 113378 RH, Part# 113377 LH. This kit just goes right on with out doing any modifications. It was designed for the C series and 300 and 400 series. Now like has been said before the forward swept axel and steering reduction is the way to go. The cost can add up quick and the labor doing it. I would say it would be worth it. But if you don't want to go that route the HD spindle kit or parts is a very good option. I have used that kit for a long time.

[baerpath 517]

Thats the kit I mentioned, if anyone needs one I have one for sale

Duane

[MalMac 1,331]

baerpath I never knew that about C-185, makes since with all that weight.. I think the kit I got has 3/4 inch spindles, now you got me thinking if there 1 inch, I always assumed they were 3/4 shaft with just the bigger bearings in the rim. I know they are 3/4 going through the axel but not sure about the spindle going into the hub. Now I got to go check.

[buckrancher 2,694]

Is it possible to bore the original axle to accept a 1" spindle and have enough meat left to support the new spindle and loader wieght?

go back up to post # 9

Brian

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Apparently you have had no problem with this setup. I have a JD 210 axle and wheels from a parts unit on hand. I wouldn't have to change the whole axle if I were to just use the spindles. The JD axle is about 4" wider than a WH one. May be the best / easyest route anyway? IDK. Lot cheaper than a 520 unit as it's already paid for.