Installing Power steering with a V-Tek Loader on my 2020D Write up _ Lots of Images

[Scotty Dive]

Just wanted to document and share my experience with installing the Power Steering Kit I purchased through Hoye awhile back. My YM2020D is equipped with a V2 V-tek loader and a BRB loader Joystick valve with NO Power Beyond. The manual steering was adequate for most loader work, but at times, when lifting something truly heavy, it took all I had to turn that steering wheel. I have no damage (that I am aware of) but that stress on the steering box was significant when trying to turn the wheel with a 550 pound wood stove off of the forks attached to the bucket! This kit should remove that extra wear and tear. Here is the Kit - I had purchased this almost a year ago and didn't really inspect it before I installed it. The packaging inside was a little weak and the adjusting knob on the FCR-51 broke in transit so check your components when you receive it. The instructions are about a Grade C. There are pictures and there is are a few things that are assumed so my write may help you and save you some time during your install. FCR51 Mounting Bracket for steering Arm Steering Arm HA-38 and Bolts O Ring - Note that nowhere in the instruction does it tell you that the O Ring goes into the HA-38. I lucked out and saw an O Ring installed in my existing HA38 so I knew better. If I had not, I would have figured it out eventually, when it leaked, but installing the HA38 is time consuming. Missing Picture of FCR Bracket - Sorry - I hacked it up to make my own bracket anyway 4 Hoses and Parts Bag - The instructions refer to the hoses but they are not labeled so you have to figure out what is what. Steering Arm Bracket Installed Steering Cylinder and Bracket with Hoses Installed - I removed the stock Steering Arm. Installed Cylinder and Bracket. Note the Bracket does not fit perfectly but you can grind the bracket if you want to make it work. I did not. Closest Hose (Pressure Port on Cylinder) runs through the bellhousing to the FCR. The farther hose (longer Hose) runs under the tractor to the 3pt area and uses a dump port. Note the difference in length of the loader bolts and the bolts that come with the kit. I was concerned that they were too long but no issues so far. Steering Arm Bolts Hoses - Note that one hose is longer than the other. I found this out the hard way. The short hose routs from the cylinder to the FCR between the bell housing and the firewall. The long hose goes from the cylinder under the tractor to the port at the 3pt and you need that extra length to reach there Return Port - I could not install the 90 degree fitting where the instructions said to. It hit the 3pt castings. I either need an extention to make it work or you can use one of the holes sometimes found near your shifter. Cylinder to dump port. When routing this hose be careful and keep in mind items that may hit, grab or wear on the hose. In my case the Steering arm slightly hits this hose and so does my 2 to 4 wd lever and I will have to re route it soon Original Hydraulic Routing for V-Tek Loader Bolt for Attaching the FCR-51 This is to the left of the Passenger Side Loader Bracket (and difficult to reach) and I could not use the mounting bolt per the instructions Fabricated Mounting Bracket for installing the FCR 51 View of mounting bracket using existing bracket and angle iron. I created my own bracket using 1 inch angle iron and reusing some of the bracket that is in the kit to mount it to the loader bracket. Drivers Side Loader Bracket where FCR mounted FCR51 Mounted with hoses. Removed 90 Elbow included in the kit and installed existing 90 Elbow (from the HA 38 that was installed with my loader) in FCR - When attaching the hoses to the FCR - the FCR IN port (bottom Port) takes fluid directly from the HA38 on the pump. The CR port (upper left hand port) runs to the pressure port on the Cylinder. The EX port (upper Right hand port) flows directly to the Loader Valve. I reused my loader hose and changed out the 90 degree elbow on the EX Port. You will have to adjust the FCR but the instructions recommend between 2 and 4. I am still playing with mine and I think I am at a 3. The only problems I had are: 1. The dump port 90 degree fitting won't work for me with the location of the port and the casting. Either find a new dump port or get an extension to make the 90 degree fitting work. 2. The Drivers side engine vent panel does not fit and rubs against the cylinder. I will have to attach some spacers and use longer bolts to gain the clearance needed. 3. This set up changes the characteristics of your loader / 3pt. In other words, Your loader regardless of rpm would move and curl and so would your 3pt. With the steering installed and at low idle, the power steering cylinder takes priority of the flow (low flow due to low rpms) and you will not be able to raise your loader or 3pt. It will take some getting used to but you will have to increase rpms to do what you did so easily before. Its a trade off. I tested my system out and overloaded the 3pt and loader with firewood and have no loss in power at Rpms. I will add a steering (suicide knob) knob to make backing up much easier. Hope this helps.

 

[winston1]

Thanks for sharing pictures and installation. Are you happy with it?

 

[HoyeTractor]

Great write-up! I'm going to link to it from the kit's description.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I am happy and my shoulder is happy. I need shoulder surgery and I swear one of the causes was my manual steering. What I wasn't happy with is the change in performance regarding the 3pt and loader. Hoye explained to me (and it makes sense) that when at idle the pump produces the low end of its ability. The Power Steering takes all of that flow due to the importance of steering over other functions. When at higher RPM's there is more flow and the excess is moved through out the system. It will take a bit getting used to, but I put away a couple of cords of woods on Monday and I was pretty pleased with its performance. Another option is putting a higher volume pump and I will check into that as well.

Hoye was great as usual and were very responsive. I hate to say this because its contrary to what I have heard about Fredricks, but I called Hoye on Friday and was told the person I needed to speak to about Hydraulics was out sick. I said no problem and told them I would call Fredricks and see if they could help. Hoye said to call back if I needed to. I called Fredrick at 9 am in the morning and spoke to a guy who took my numbers down and said he was going out to the shop to take pictures and get me some answers. At 1 pm I called back and they said he went home for the weekend. I then was sent over to their lead mechanic and was told to leave a detailed voice message which I did. I have not heard back from them yet. This is the reason I deal with Hoye exclusively. They have your back!

Hoye - I will gladly work with you or any of your customers on the directions and / or questions.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Just an update - "fixed" my engine side panel screen that hit the steering cylinder and hoses:

I matched up the metric bolts for some longer ones for the bottom two - about an inch or so longer and about a half inch longer for the top two. Then added rod tube as spacers that pushed out the bottom a bit more and a little bit at the top. I still can access and use the hood side latch.

Top Bolt with roughly 1/2" spacer:


Lower Bolts with ~1" spacer to kick out the bottom a bit:


Looking upward you can see there is plenty of space between the panel and the cylinder and hoses:

 

[grainger12002]

Scotty, awesome job as usual, glad you have the ps working and the joystick, nice pics and thanks for sharing all your hard work !!

From CT

 

[grainger12002]

Scotty, awesome job as usual, glad you have the ps working and the joystick, nice pics and thanks for sharing all your hard work !!

From CT

 

[kenmac]

glad to see it all worked out for you.. That may explain why I have to bump up my RPM some to get my loader to work faster.. PS is taking my fluid

 

[Jtullis13]

I know this thread is 6 months old or so, but i wanted to let everyone know that I will try to do a write up my PS install on my 2210d when I'm done with it. I had a few set backs as well like Scotty did. Hoping to have the PS installed and write up done by next week if all goes well.

 

[Jtullis13]

Ok I'm back and have my PS kit installed, like Scotty I had a few set backs as well. I do not have the pictures uploaded yet because I might be changing the setup of mine yet. I wanted to pick your brains first. My kit is the same as Scottys and plumbed pretty much the same way with only minor differences. I have the same issues Scotty does with the loader and PS only getting part function because of the flow valve (the first picture I uploaded from Scottys post). Yes I know that the valve diverts the flow between the 2 and that is why I only get some function out of both applications. I know we are asking a lot out of these 40yr old tractors with a small pump, but I would like to have better loader and PS function. So here is my thoughts and you guys tell me what you think. As in the picture the pump supplies fluid to the valve labeled "IN", the line on the left of the valve supplies fluid to the PS, the line on the right labeled "EX" supplies fluid to the loader valve. What if I plumb the loader back the way it was, the pump to the loader valve and use my power beyond port to supply fluid to the PS?? I know how an open hydraulic system works which is what most of us have here, so I know the loader will take priority over the power beyond port when being used, which means I would lose some function of the PS powered by the power beyond when using the loader. I am ok with that, I can't think of to many times when I would be using the loader and the PS at the same time, I would like to use them at the same time don't get me wrong, but I can live with knowing to use on or the other or lose partial function of the PS while using the loader. At least I would have full function of the PS and loader at separate times instead of partial function of both now. So what is your guys thoughts on plumbing it this way???....