Garden tractor power steering add on

chvojka · Jun 9, 2015

Hello, looking to put a FEL on my JD 110 garden tractor and want to put power steering on it. I was going to use a power steering unit from an old vehicle but not sure what size hydraulic cylinder to use. Any suggestions? Thoughts?

buickanddeere · Jun 9, 2015

It will cost less and work better to trade up to a tractor is factory PS. It will also cost less and work better to install a FEL on a hydrostatic tractor that had a factory loader designed for it.

Fawken · Jun 10, 2015

Well all I can say is, can of worms. You'd end up changing the entire linkage for your steering system assuming the front axles would even support the load. I've seen a few guys do it just for the novelty or "the look" but their lift capacity was about 75 lbs. And digging or even scraping with two-wheel drive and no weight to speak of- do yourself a favor and put that project at number ten on the bucket list.

BHD · Jun 10, 2015

it may be better to modify the front end with real thrust bearings and possibly improve the bearings in the linkage, (I would think it would cost more than a trade up)

now yes I have thought of the same more for a glorified toy for my grand son, to use, but if one had a two cubic foot bucket on it would be about the most one could expect for workable bucket I have really questioned if it would really be usable for as small as it would end up being,

in years past when loaders were first being added to tractors, many were mounted on the old tractors backwards, putting the weight on the rear tires,

and some also worked more like a fork lift so the bucket and arms are not in the way of the operator, picture in link
http://www.ntractorclub.com/eds_stuff/ford%20tractors/Implements/Loaders/Model%2019-87%20Rear%20Mounted%20Loader/Assembly%20&%20Operating%20Instructions/Front%20Cover.jpg

build a sub frame that goes under the tractor, and build the loader on the sub frame one hydraulic lift cylinder and possibly a tilt cylinder or a trip dump,

farm boy00 · Jun 10, 2015

I think you will want to upgrade your tractor to a higher 200s or 300s series. Or even better yet get a case 444or one of the 400s series. What will you be doing with this loader??

CalG · Jun 10, 2015

The Bolens HT 20 and 23 garden tractors offered power steering as an option. You could look at the cylinders used for that application as it might compare to yours.

I would like to fit a power assist cylinder to the Fordson, but that's not a garden tractor ;-)

Sawyer Rob · Jun 10, 2015

CalG said:
The Bolens HT 20 and 23 garden tractors offered power steering as an option. You could look at the cylinders used for that application as it might compare to yours.

You would need the steering box ect. too...

SR

CalG · Jun 10, 2015

Sawyer Rob said:
You would need the steering box ect. too...

SR

There is no "steering box" in the Bolens system. Call it a "servo follower valve system".

It was the cylinder sizing that was the OP's question.

The Bolens cylinder would serve as a useful example for sizing. Of course fluid pressure has a lot to do with it, but some parts just need to be sized to take the load.