Power steering conversion on my kubota B8200

[fatjay]

Cylinder is all fixed up. Was able to use my tractor today with hydraulic steering. It is so nice to not need extra arm strength to steer.

My steering is a little quick, but honestly it's perfect for me. When I hop on my fathers kubota with factory power steering, it's really slow. And yes, it's fantastic. Can't beat it.

 

[rbeall]

Fatjay, I’m not sure if my steering is really fast or not. It takes 4.5 turns of the steering wheel to go from full right to full left. I think it’s just “right”.

 

[fatjay]

Fatjay, I’m not sure if my steering is really fast or not. It takes 4.5 turns of the steering wheel to go from full right to full left. I think it’s just “right”.

My power steering is one full turn lock to lock. it took some getting used to but now that i'm used to it i love it.

 

[oaktrac]

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.

Hello was wondering what by cylinder you used? Part number? Thanks

 

[oaktrac]

Fatjay, I’m not sure if my steering is really fast or not. It takes 4.5 turns of the steering wheel to go from full right to full left. I think it’s just “right”.

What did you use for a cylinder? And where did you get it? Thanks

 

[fatjay]

Surplus center.

1x8x0.625 DA Hydraulic Cylinder Swivel Eyes

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraulics/Hydraulic-Cylinders/Double-Acting-Hydraulic-Cylinders/1x8x0-625-DA-Hydraulic-Cylinder-Swivel-Eyes-9-7257-8.axd

 

[oaktrac]

Thanks I see it’s unavailable. I was looking at surplus center I was kinda thinking of the 2 inch cly . I understand that your steering is quick . I have a loader and concerned with power when loaded full bucket

 

[oaktrac]

I also was thinking the 6 inch stroke but maybe the 8 inch would be a better fit

 

[fatjay]

Lower stroke will just limit your turning radius. Also it may not be the correct overall length, or you'll be able to turn to tight one direction, and not enough in the other direction.

 

[fatjay]

Really the only way you are going to slow the steering down is increase the bore, a 1.5x or 2x bore would slow it down a bit, but i'm not seeing any of those with the swivel eye built in.

 

[zzvyb6]

There's a subtle difference between 'Powered Steering' (What you did a wonderful job on) and power Assisted steering, which maintains a mechchanical connection between the wheels & the steering wheel. You can 'slow' it down with a larger cylinder to reduce the amount of turning per steering wheel degrees, but don't restrict flow because you might need quick REACTION for loader work.

I would think the power steering rack & pinion from a small car would also be applicable for tractors, either to connect two tieRODS between, or to help the cross-tieROD link used on many tractors and large trucks.

 

[rbeall]

I used a cylinder from a John Deere 318. The cylinder was too short so I bought some honed pipe and extended it to about 8” of stroke. For the end I cut to old manual steering ball joint and welded it to the cylinder rod.

 

[Barndoggy]

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.

Does anyone know what kind of fittings these are that tap into the block in the ps ports ? The Parker store guy had no clue and I sure don’t

 

[fatjay]

I removed the bolt and took it to my guy who makes hydrualic hoses and said i needed that end on one, and the cylinder end on the other, and he did that.

 

[Barndoggy]

I removed the bolt and took it to my guy who makes hydrualic hoses and said i needed that end on one, and the cylinder end on the other, and he did that.

Thanks for all your input on here I used your info for a power steering conversion works great thank you

 

[fatjay]

Glad to hear it's working for you. Really makes a difference over manual steering.

 

[650gSatoh]

Glad to hear it's working for you. Really makes a difference over manual steering.

Great write up.

I'm just wondering the weight of your tractor with implements? I have an old Satoh 650g and the steering box is cracked badly. I'm looking at doing what you have done and wondering the limitations of this steering valve?

My tractor is 2100lbs, supposedly 600 for FEL and I have a 600lb box blade, so 3300lbs give or take.

My hydraulic pump only puts out 4.1 Gal/min which is why I figure this steering valve could be a match.

 

[Renze]

Holding up great. I don't have an hour meter on it but I use it regularly. Power steering is fantastic, no leaks. I'll say it's a bit quick, i think because the kubota has a higher flow rate than the JD318 for power steering. I'm used to it though and I like it. When I get on hte b7200 with factory power steering, it's painfully slow.

That has to do with the ratio between what your steering orbitrol puts out per revolution, and the volumetric capacity of your steering cylinder. So your steering cylinder is a bit small compared to thr JD 318

On fast roadgoing tractors you wouldnt want less than 3 revolutions lock to lock or it gets nervous. Wheel loaders have electrohydraulic joystick steering as an option, but when using the joystick the speed limiter is working.