Massey 235 and/or 245 power steering ?

[Elkins45]

This may be the dumbest question I've ever asked: it's power assisted right? In other words when the PS goes out that just means you have a tractor that takes some muscle to steer, not one that has no steering control, correct?

There's a positive mechanical linkage and the exposed hydraulic cylinder just gives it a push when you turn the wheel? Isn't this how it works?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

This may be the dumbest question I've ever asked: it's power assisted right? In other words when the PS goes out that just means you have a tractor that takes some muscle to steer, not one that has no steering control, correct?

There's a positive mechanical linkage and the exposed hydraulic cylinder just gives it a push when you turn the wheel? Isn't this how it works?

You'll have a "mechanical link" as you put it, but you'll have quite a bit of drag if the power assist steering isn't assisting.

 

[Elkins45]

You'll have a "mechanical link" as you put it, but you'll have quite a bit of drag if the power assist steering isn't assisting.

Prior to 2002 when my dad bought a Massey 243, my only experience with tractor steering was a 1953 Farmall Super C with the tricycle front. I'm no stranger to hard steering. I didn't own a truck with power steering until 1987.

 

[Oregon Hay Maker]

As soon as your out of power steering its a *****, have had lots of problems with power steering. It take some muscle to turn it but your wheel will spin around 10-15 times before you even begin to turn and even then it dont do much good. Lotta clutch work to get it to go the direction you want, impossible to make hay like that.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

As soon as your out of power steering its a *****, have had lots of problems with power steering. It take some muscle to turn it but your wheel will spin around 10-15 times before you even begin to turn and even then it dont do much good. Lotta clutch work to get it to go the direction you want, impossible to make hay like that.

The MF's the OP is referring to have power ASSIST steering. There is a mechanical link between steering wheel and front wheels. You don't have the "free wheel" steering typically found on hydrostatic steering. Still a bear to turn, but front wheels will turn with every movement of the steering wheel.

 

[Bob197110]

No, these are full power steering, not power assist. When you lose the hose, there is no pressure on the steering cylinder, therefore NO steering. All the steering wheel controls is a fluid valve, not a steering gear.

 

[Sportsman762]

The 245's that are diesel orchard tractors with the straight front axle to s/n 9A349239 used a power assist steering gear with a mechanical link. Most Massey 245 used a full hydrostatic steering. The industrial brother the 20C also used full hydrostatic also.

The Massey 235 orchard used full hydrostatic steering, however most of the 235 used a power assist steering.

The steering of the 235 was considered a major weakness. What is the OP looking at a 235 or a 245?