How do you steer these machines?

[Rock knocker]

How do you steer these modified tractors? I assume they lack steering clutches, so your only hope is to use the tracot brakes to death. Does anyone here have any experience with this type of machine?


Getsno Equipment ｻ 1995 FORD MODEL 7740 FALL PROMOTION PRICE!!

 

[MFRED]

I don't but for the price I may need to find out. That thing is neat & not too far away from me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I shouldnt be any harder on brakes than using it for Ag purposes. When farming row crop, I used the brakes at every turn to slide the tractor around (dual wheels ) and never wore out the brakes on a 9000 Ford in 4 years of working it. Its not like a clutch that spins fast, you lock them and they stay locked till released so not much slippage. Not much difference in dozers where they still turn with brakes, the steering clutches just release the one side from direct drive to both tracks kinda like a positive track system so one side will stop turning while other track moves to push it around. Since tractors dont generally run in differential lock position, just hit the brakes and spin it around.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It looks to have 5000+ hours on it which isnt a lot for that size tractor if properly maintained. The track system is worth that much if everything works on it. If I recall correctly those tractors have a torque converter (high/low shift in each gear) with a 4 gear transmission and High / Low/ Neutral / Reverse on the column with give it 16 forwards and 8 reverse speeds.

 

[Rock knocker]

But when you're using tractor brakes, the front steers are helping, oh about 90% of the work. In a crawler, the brakes are really going to get mashed on

 

[PoorPlowboy]

It says it has quad ram steering. However, I have not a clue what that means.

 

[techwrtr2]

You could always ask the manufacturer about it Welcome to Ebert Welding.com

But for your reading pleasure...

Steering is accomplished by means of the tractor articulating against the rear drag.

The groomer steers just as easily in forward or reverse, whether on trail, in deep snow, up snowbanks, etc...

The three point hitch “A frame” distributes steering stresses to all three 3 point hitch mounting points. The heavy lift arm stabilizer bars bear the brunt of the sideways steering action, transferring it directly to the frame assembly, and not the rear axle of the tractor. This eliminates stresses to the rear axle.

A dual pivoting steering assembly protects steering cylinders from "sideways" loads, regardless of direction of travel, relative angle of tractor and drag, or three point hitch height.


The tractor steering wheel is still used to steer the unit. The original tractor steering system has been modified for high capacity operation. Hydraulic flow of up to 20 gallons per minute on TS series, 28 gallons per minute on TM series, and a special load sensing steering orbit allow for smooth, fast steering action. Steering action responds and feels just like conventional automotive steering. Even an inexperienced operator is comfortable with the steering almost immediately. There is no need to use the tractor brakes when steering.

SUR TRAC Track Kit

 

[D7E]

It looks to have 5000+ hours on it which isnt a lot for that size tractor if properly maintained. The track system is worth that much if everything works on it. If I recall correctly those tractors have a torque converter (high/low shift in each gear) with a 4 gear transmission and High / Low/ Neutral / Reverse on the column with give it 16 forwards and 8 reverse speeds.

This one is SLE (Electric powershift) .

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

and have to remember the steering was designed to work with a drag.
Unit was set up for dragging sno covered sno-mo trails.
Not row crops or construction sites.

So the rear ram steer and the brakes make skid steering easy.

Seperate the two pieces and put it on dirt... well that would be probably be a problem.

 

[kneedeep]

I shouldnt be any harder on brakes than using it for Ag purposes. When farming row crop, I used the brakes at every turn to slide the tractor around (dual wheels ) and never wore out the brakes on a 9000 Ford in 4 years of working it. Its not like a clutch that spins fast, you lock them and they stay locked till released so not much slippage. Not much difference in dozers where they still turn with brakes, the steering clutches just release the one side from direct drive to both tracks kinda like a positive track system so one side will stop turning while other track moves to push it around. Since tractors dont generally run in differential lock position, just hit the brakes and spin it around.

Tractor mechanic told me that the dual brakes on a Ag tractor are for keeping the tractor following the rows whether straight or curved. Tractors tend not to turn with heavy ground engaging equipment like planters and cultivators. Thus, 'guiding' the tractor using the brake pedal to follow the row. He also stated that locking the brake to twist the tractor around eventually will damage the brake, or worse yet, break a axle. Proper way is to stop, raise equipment and turn even if you have to backup.

I bought a JD 950 years ago that the left brake was completly worn out from the old farmer 'spinning' the tractor at the end of the garden row. Everything was worn or broken on the left side and the right side had minimum wear. The tractor was only 4 years old and he planted about a acre garden.

Just my :2cents: worth