650 Steering Arm Replacement

[Boyd]

Last year, the steering arm, CH20183, for my 650 John Deere failed and I had it professionally repaired. This year, one day into the big snow here on the east coast, the part failed. I am trying to find a new or good used part. I have been told that the Yanmar part 194198-13702-f will work. I have been searching now for a week and 1/2 and have yet to find one.
The one I need is the left one when sitting on the tractor. My tractor is 4 wheel drive. I am ready to have one cast if I can find others who needs or will need one. Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to the forum.
Hope you get some help finding one. Deere can't get that part for you?

Not surprised this welding job failed. From the paint still on the piece, doesn't look like it was heated enough to weld the casting.

What happened that it broke initially?

 

[Boyd]

I am not sure. I was smoothing off a trail on my property. Got it as far as possible from my garage and it broke. This time I was scraping, lifting and dumping snow on my driveway and it was gone. I am not a welder, so I will get with the guy that did it the first time. He works for the county and did it in their shop. Go figure!
It has been below freezing for over a month now. The bolts are as tight as a $.10 top. I am sure I will snap the bolts. I hope to be able to pull the part in the next week.

 

[RoyJackson]

Welding may not hold it...castings are somewhat porous and after 25 years of operation (about the right age for a 650), getting them clean enough for a good weld can be difficult. It looks like the previous welder just butted the pieces together and welded. He really needed to grind a good bevel on all edges to get good penetration. But even good penetration in a weld may not salvage a broken casting.
I'm sure a tractor boneyard will have one, so keep trying. I would check out Used Tractors at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Caterpillar. for boneyards. There's quite a few listed and at least one (in Pennsylvania) advertised 650 parts. There'sa link at the bottom of the home page of tractorhouse for boneyards.
Having one cast won't be an inexpensive operation. The foundry would have to build a pattern to make the mold (although they may be able to use your broken casting). Then you'll have to have it machined for the attaching and pivot points. This could cost more then that 650 is worth.
Another possibility is getting the arm fabricated out of bar and flat stock (welded assembly). This would probably be the least expensive way to go if you cannot find a replacement.

 

[Boyd]

Will keep looking. Already tried the Tractorhouse.

 

[randcross]

Did Boyd ever find a replacement part? I am having the same problem on my 650.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:
Sorry to hear you have the same problem.
Any pics?
Any good welder available to you?

 

[sweet farms]

Check that side for any binding. Take the tire off and check it out. Make sure you do not have something else going on in that knucle joint. I had the same issue on a Kubota (bearing was out). The weld should have held. Just as Roy mentioned, I wonder if the weld job was done correctly. It takes time and patients to weld the piece right.

 

[blakspanky]

is there anyone still needing the left steering arm for a john deere 650 compact 4wd with power steering.

 

[deerecamp]

I could use a left hand steering arm. Please contact me at 636-433-5219 or info@keepingitgreen.com. Thanks, Mike.

 

[Hemsell]

I also need a front left hand steering arm for a John Deere 650 4x4. It is part number CH20183. please email me at hemsell AT gmail DOT com or call two81-8zero6-6two15