Power steering conversion on my kubota B8200

[fatjay]

I finished my cab & snowblower on my b8200, pulled it out of the garage the night before our one and only snow storm, turned the wheels and snapped the steering column. It was tough to steer before, but with the blower up, the added weight was to much I guess.

I mended it, but not much of a long term solution. Steering was loose before as it was, I would have to end up replacing the entire thing with a new one, then still have hard steering. And that will cost me $600+. There's no universal kits anymore for this or anything similar that I could find. Basically not a lot of options.

I picked up a power steering valve from a john deere 318/322/324 or a few others. Basically it's the entire steering column plus valve outlets on the bottom in one piece. Quite convenient and compact, so it should be easy to adapt. I also picked up a 15" hydraulic cylinder to control the wheels. The thought is to come off the hydraulic block supplied on the tractor, into the steering column, and out to the cylinder, to move the wheels left and right. Couldn't be easier, right?

Taking off the old power steering was a challenge, gas tank needed to come off. When I put it back in place, I had a lot less room to work with than I originally thought. Also, to give myself the clearance I needed for the hydraulic lines, I'd have to have it much higher than it was on the old one. I'll worry about that when it works, for now it's getting it mounted. I'm going to get some 90 degree fittings for the valve so I know how much space I have to work with and have it still clear.

The other option is the block fits right into the hole, get the lower mount, so the ports are inside. I don't like that option as it puts the lines next to the driveshaft, but on the other hand I'd be able to use the original mount bolts and it would already be lowered to a more comfortable position.

I grabbed a piece of scrap angle iron and cleaned it up to cut for some test fitments. I'll post info as I go.

 

[2458n]

Water runs right down the steering column. Sits in the bottom and freezes. I armstronged mine and broke the spiral with the ball bearings. No one to blame butt myself. Parts were still available then. Fixed it back up and put silicon under the plastic steering wheel cap covering nut and shaft. Wrapped the top of the column very tightly with electrical tape,reversing the first layer so column would not be trapped. 25 yrs later living outdoors in Ohio the power steering is still working. L245DT.

 

[fatjay]

That's what I thought happened but when I took it apart, the whole thing was filled with oil properly. I broke the part at the top of the spiral that the pin goes through, which tells me it just couldn't handle the force. When turning it was being pulled apart by the gear pulling down as the spiral spins. Moving the tractor without steering was a challenge.

 

[TMGT]

I have a b7200 with an aftermarket ps system similar to what your doing, you'll want a priority valve also.

 

[fatjay]

What's a priority valve?

Got my cylinder in as well as the angles for the steering valve. While the wife wasn't looking I put them on the dining room table and got them set up. Going to make the mounts hopefully this weekend, time permitting. 4 right angles and a cap for the AUX port. I'm not convinced you can cap the AUX, but I read several places that you could so I'm going to see what happens.

 

[CADplans]

I'm not convinced you can cap the AUX, but I read several places that you could so I'm going to see what happens.

I think the AUX is like power beyond.
If you are powering the power steering with a charge pump (ie,, a garden tractor) the pressure is low,,
Possibly that application will allow capping.
A kubota could destroy a hydraulic pump,, if you cap a power beyond port.

 

[TMGT]

What's a priority valve?

Got my cylinder in as well as the angles for the steering valve. While the wife wasn't looking I put them on the dining room table and got them set up. Going to make the mounts hopefully this weekend, time permitting. 4 right angles and a cap for the AUX port. I'm not convinced you can cap the AUX, but I read several places that you could so I'm going to see what happens.

Priority flow valve, on a single pump system it makes sure the ps system has adaquate flow, any access is used for the downstream hydraulics. Otherwise you can lose steering if you operate another valve at the same time.

 

[fatjay]

I'm pretty sure that's built into the hydraulic block. The block has dedicated ports only for power steering, and other ports for other hydraulics. This will be the only thing on this hydraulic line. The only other hydraulics I even use is the 3pt lift on the back for the mower.

The only thing that really concerns me is the deere 318 this is from is very light in comparrison to the kubota, at 1900lbs. I broke my steering column trying to turn the wheels with the blower up, so I'm hoping this can handle the pressure.

 

[TMGT]

Did your 8200 have PS originally?

 

[fatjay]

It did not, but they all come with the ports for it, just capped off. These two on top here are for the PS, the two bigger ones on the side are for heavier devices like the FEL. I'm basing this off looking at my father's B7200, which has the same block, has factory power steering, and a factory loader.