looking to add power steering to my B7200

[wil3404]

I know this seems like everyone asks this but I am looking to add power steering to my 1988 B7200D. I know it would cheaper and easier to buy another but I just got this and what a tractor. 117 original hours, never seen rain, waxed very frequently, stored in heated garage, Only used to pull firewood cart. I'll get a picture posted later, It looks brand new beside a 2006 it is just as spotless. The guy even waxed the frame and under the fenders. I felt bad I paid 4500 and got a lot of addons. SO needless to say I have a lot of room to work and I dont mind a challange. I mean that is what its all about right? thanks in advance for your knowledge and help

 

[zzvyb6]

One quick fix is to add a lot more air to the front tires. Don't need to be 100 psi, but surely 10 - 15 over standard won't hurt the tires one bit. In fact, tire stresses are much lower in a highly pressurized tire than in a reduced pressure tire.

 

[wil3404]

ok thanks. Can anyone else assit with adding a power steering kit? I may add a loader someday and it will steer like a bear. Before I took off dozer blade and frame it steered hard.

 

[Egon]

For my Kubota B7100 HST: [very similar to the B7200]

There were some power steering kits out at one time. My current dealer told me these were not really a solution as the pump has limited capacity and cannot handle the extra load without slowing down the other hydraulic functions.

I had also thought of using an older GMC recirculating ball power steering box as it would be a very simple installation. But again was told the pump did not have enough volume.

Adding an automotive power steering pump may be an option but on my tractor it would make for a very ugly addition due to available room factors.

 

[wil3404]

Do you know if those kits are still available? Surely I could make anoter tractor block work. What do you think?

 

[wil3404]

I meant pump not block

 

[Travelover]

Some cars have electric power steering now - I wonder if this could be adapted from a crashed car?

 

[wil3404]

I wonder what models? I have a couple I use for parts in our body shop. 2004 grand am, 1999 grandam, 1998 intrepid, 97 dakota (steering box), 2004 e350 van ( steering box) any of these cars you think? thanks

 

[Egon]

I do not know if those kits are available now or where to get one. The steering box I was referring to is a recirculating ball type probably from an 80's or so GM car.

Electric may be an option but then a bigger battery and and an alternator of sufficient size would have to added. Chances are your tractor has a dynamo putting out about 15 amps at best which probably is not enough to handle the additional electrical load.

 

[charlz]

My b7100 gear has the b219 loader which has its own pump running off the front pto. Wonder if you could use that for power steering? If you had to upgrade that pump for more flow would that be a big negative for loader operations?