Pictures of Power Steering

[California]

no reason one can't activate a ram with the pitman arm for almost complete power steering using a toggle switch. While unconventional, it certainly works just fine.

That went over my head. Are you saying you don't need hydraulics in the steering box?

 

[Eddie]

That went over my head. Are you saying you don't need hydraulics in the steering box?

This is a Yanmar kit that uses a hydraulic cylinder to assist steering. It does not have hydraulics in the steering box. I plan to get started on it in the next few days and will post pictures as it progresses.

 

[Eddie]

Here we go, Some Pictures.

All I have left to do is to plumb it.

 

[svcguy]

Sorry I wasn't a bit clearer in my explaination. Yes, that's correct, you don't need hydraulics to the steering box itself, just to a hydraulic cylinder assist. While modern tractors often have hydraulics built in as part of the steering box, it isn't necessary. Older tractors were often modified for power steering after a loader was added because of handling problems. The idea is to have something else (a hydraulic cylinder) do all of the heavy pushing on your steering assembly, allowing the driver to sit back and relax. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways, but most often an add on kit simply replaces the long arm from the steering box to the steering assembly with a hydraulic cylinder, activated by the movement of the pitman arm externally or by activation of the cylinder internally. Others have used 12v solenoids like a three way toggle switch. The idea is that as soon as you begin to steer one way or the other, a hydraulic valve moves oil into the cylinder as necessary to assist with the work. They work really well and are very dependable. The thing to avoid is simply steering the wheels while stopped with a loader full, as it puts undue strain on some tractors that weren't built with that in mind.

 

[svcguy]

I went on the web and searched for a drawing somewhere, but couldn't find any. Here is a link showing an example of power steering added to a tractor. I admit it's a bit crude, but then I felt immediately at home when I saw it.

TRACTOR CONVERTED TO POWER STEERING (BOB ELLENOR)

 

[California]

Thanks to both of you! That article and Eddie's photos helped me recall the system I saw. I think what I saw was a near identical hydraulic cylinder salvaged off a '54 Ford, if I remember correctly.

Does anybody know if there are any modern cars I could find in a salvage yard that use that type of cylinder?

 

[svcguy]

Here is a site that actually manufactures kits for Turkey, but the point of all this is they have a great picture showing how an internal spool at the head of the hydraulic cylinder activates the assist.

TRACTOR POWER STEERING KITS

I would certainly think there are automotive systems that could be converted, but have never looked. I will take a look.

 

[California]

I see those kits all include a hydraulic pump.

Are the existing pumps on all those models insufficient for power steering? I didn't think a steering cylinder would need very much volume.

 

[lens12]

The tractor hydraulic pump will work, but a proportioning valve should be installed so a certain amount of flow is reserved for the steering.

 

[svcguy]

Depending on the configuration of the tractor, it is not a stretch to add a power steering pump using a belt drive. They are actually pretty reasonable, about $100 to $150 for many of them. It certainly wouldn't create that much of a load. Chevrolet and others had systems similar to Eddies in the late 50's, early 60's, but I haven't investigated them as to application. I can't see why they wouldn't be able to be adapted.

Len, are kits commonly available for the smaller tractors and what is an average cost if available?