Can a power steering pump be used as a drive pump??

[super55]

Here's my situation. This spring I picked up a Case 446 tractor with a mid mount mower and rear hydraulic tiller. To my dismay, I can't keep the fast hitch linkage on the tractor and the mower at the same time on the tractor. I been thinking about taking the mid-mount mower and re-fabricating it into a rear finish mower.

The big issue I have is that the case has what they call a hydraulic PTO. Pretty much it is just a rear power beyond hydraulic port. GPM for the pump is approx. 9.8 gpm. Could I hook my hydraulic lines to a power steering pump attached to the deck and use that as a drive for the deck? Would this be the best way? I would really like to just connect a hydraulic pump directly to the spindle on the center blade. I'm just not sure a power steering pump would get me the 2800 rpms needed for deck speed and still not be able to get bogged down.

Case originally sold a hydraulic finish mower for these tractors years ago but I have no idea the specs on the motor/pump that was attached to the deck and they are practically impossible to find.

 

[CalG]

A power steering pump is small, and rather low pressure

I wouldn't expect one to do the job you are asking. Perhaps a unit from some large off road equipment. But with the cost of such a unit, you could purchase a new tractor with a mower that works. ;-)

 

[super55]

Thats what I was kind of thinking along as well. I been browsing surplus center and looking at there different drive pumps. I can get high rpm low torque or low rpm/high torque. For what I would probably have invested in parts it would be cheaper to maybe go to HF and pick up a cheap predator engine. I'm just not thrilled about having to maintain another engine.

 

[Xfaxman]

It has probably been done, the guys that know hang out in this forum: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/case-ingersoll/

 

[Xfaxman]

Here's my situation. This spring I picked up a Case 446 tractor with a mid mount mower and rear hydraulic tiller. To my dismay, I can't keep the fast hitch linkage on the tractor and the mower at the same time on the tractor. I been thinking about taking the mid-mount mower and re-fabricating it into a rear finish mower.

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That mower deck is worth a lot to a collector, please don't modify it. You could sell it and buy a rear finish mower to make it work.

 

[super55]

That mower deck is worth a lot to a collector, please don't modify it. You could sell it and buy a rear finish mower to make it work.

That is true Xfaxman. It would probably be worth keeping as is if anything for a selling point if I ever decide to get rid of it. It's an early 80's 446 with a 16 hp Onan but for the attachments I got with it was the tiller, rear hydraulic PTO, mower, snow caster and it even has a little cab for it.

This was another idea I was throwing around was using this hydraulic PTO pump from surplus center and then hooking it up to this mower.

3.6 CU IN PRINCE HC-PTO-7A PTO PUMP 540 RPM
4 Ft Finishing Mower, 3 Point Mower, Rotary Mower | Agri Supply, 65057

It would be easy to fabricate that onto the deck. With my GPM I should be about to get about 2400 rpm on the blades. Only difference would be that the pump would be going from hydraulic to driveline instead of the other way around.

In theory I think it would work and if I ever sell the tractor I can easily convert it back to PTO drive. I'm sure some people are thinking I'm crazy for wanting to do this but I would say the tiller gets used as much as the mower does and work keeps me away for extended periods so I'm trying to figure a way to make this old Case a little more user friendly for the mrs. If it doesn't work than it will probably have to get replaced with a used SCUT eventually. I just don't have that kind of money right now plus I am kind of fond of the old thing.

 

[zzvyb6]

A typical power steering pump from a car is about 1.8 to 2.0 gal/,in 600 - 900 psi. Heavy truck pump could go as high as 3.0 gal/min. The HP is just not there for a mower or tiller.

 

[Xfaxman]

That is true Xfaxman. It would probably be worth keeping as is if anything for a selling point if I ever decide to get rid of it. It's an early 80's 446 with a 16 hp Onan but for the attachments I got with it was the tiller, rear hydraulic PTO, mower, snow caster and it even has a little cab for it.

This was another idea I was throwing around was using this hydraulic PTO pump from surplus center and then hooking it up to this mower.------------------------- Only difference would be that the pump would be going from hydraulic to driveline instead of the other way around.
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I know that pump will work as a motor, but it is only rated at 12 horsepower.

Check this style: Surplus Center

The mower looks like a good match for the tractor except for the color.

 

[dfkrug]

A typical power steering pump from a car is about 1.8 to 2.0 gal/,in 600 - 900 psi.

The Nissan automotive PS pump I am using for my mini-dumptruck measures 1000psi at idle, and 1100psi at 2000
engine RPM and above. I could not find specs on "typical" PS pumps anywhere. Where did you find the 600-900psi
specs?

Anyway, a PS vane pump will not work for the OP's application, as you say.