2003 - Volume #27, Issue #6, Page #38
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He Specializes In Wide Front Axles For Deere Tractors
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Beem is 80 years old. When he retired from farming in 1983, he saw a need for a heavier duty wide front axle for Deere tractors, especially tractors fitted with loaders. He drew on his experience as a metalsmith and set up a big shop, where four employees work full-time. He goes to salvage yards and implement dealers across North America to buy used wide front axles and then hauls them back to his shop and rebuilds them. He sells most of the rebuilt axles back to salvage yards and dealers, who then sell them to customers. He also sells direct to customers living within a 500-mile radius.
At first he modified front axles from Deere 5010 and 5020 tractors to fit Deere 3010 through 4230 tractors. He later adapted a number of other front axles to Deere tractors, including Case 70/90 series front axles and those off Deere and Case-IH cotton pickers. Now, his most popular wide front axle conversion uses front axles from Deere 30 Oliverand 40 series tractors including the 4000, 4010, 4020, and 4320. He also rebuilds wide front axles for Deere 4030, 4230 and 4430 models.
He has also tooled up to make tie rods, spindles, front axle knees and other parts for Deere wide front axles for the 2 cyl. models.
"No one else offers a replacement wide front axle with the quality of mine," says Beem. "Used wide front axles aren't the answer because they're either not available or too expensive. Some salvage yards charge enormous prices because they know farmers have no alternative. I don't charge as much as I could, but I'm helping farmers make a living, and I'm making a living, too, and enjoying my retirement years at the same time.
"Unmodified replacement axles don't solve the problem because they're built too light for today's needs. The 12 hp Deere tractor your grandfather bought in 1936 had a wide front end equipped with a 1 1/2-in. dia. spindle. Yet the 110 hp Deere tractor your dad bought in 1972 still has a 1 1/2-in. spindle, even though farmers use these tractors to haul 3,000-lb. round bales. It's no wonder the axles on these tractors break."
The replacement wide front axle sells for less than $1,700.
Beem says one of his newest offerings is a "cushion" wide front axle for the Deere 6000 Hi-Cycle self-propelled sprayer. "The factory axle is solid, with no spring to it at all. My replacement axle has motorcycle-type shocks that absorb much of the shock and make for a much easier ride. Another benefit is that the spray boom is much more likely to stay attached to the machine," notes Beem.
The cushion axle sells for $950.
Beem cautions readers that he's extremely busy and may have trouble taking on a lot of new business.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ed Beem, 2669 Grundy Ave., Hornick, Iowa 51026
(Phone # Disconnected 712 876-2275).
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