(ET) front end

["Rhett T. George" <rtg ee duke edu>]

 - Greetings -

Chris Meier asked a good question regarding front axles.  From a design
viewpoint, the steel kingpin turning in the cast iron of the I-beam
axle is much superior.  Steel against steel in the box section, welded
axle is a sorry design.  If not kept well greased, the rubbing surfaces
will gall.  This makes further turning or disassembly very difficult.
It also make the person doing the repair fill the air with blue words.

The cast iron axle will break if overloaded, the box section will bend.
The 42" blade is the largest accessory I use on the so I have not had
either a broken or a bent front axle.  This leads to the question, "Has
anyone bent or broken a front axle?"

                                        Rhett George