power steering retrofit

csas309 · Apr 9, 2014

Has anybody looked into using a marine (boat) steering unit as a retrofit? A Coast Guard buddy suggested it. They are made as hydraulic or mechanical units. I have a a circa 1982 C.F. Struck Turf Rider. It has hydraulics which I could easily tap. The old thing works like a mule but the steering has always been "Armstrong" and I'm not getting any younger. I'll be researching this idea but wondered if anyone else ever considered it.

PILOON · Apr 9, 2014

It can and has been done. Involves a steering valve and hydraulic cylinder to actuate the pitman arm.
Your task will be fabricating brackets and linkage to attach components. You better be handy and have welding skills.

Cord · Apr 10, 2014

I had a loader that pulled the power steering off the hydraulics with a priority flow valve. The valve always gave priority flow to the steering. Unfortunately, this means it stole flow from the other functions such as curl and raise. Would't affect lower or dump because those functions are returning fluid. I think a better solution is to use a GM power steering pump from a 70's vehicle and then use that to power your steering ram. These pumps are very low flow, so try to keep your cylinder diameter to the absolute minimum. I ran this pump on my performance boat with hydraulic steering and it worked out very well.

struckfan · Sep 21, 2015

Been looking for one of those, would you be willing to sell it??

f311fr1 · Oct 3, 2015

Look at a Char Lynn torque generator. They are made for this application.

bigdeano · Oct 3, 2015

Maybe you could replace the steering box with a power steering gear from a small car. I have 3 tractors with GM car power steering gears, but they're larger than your tractor. Would be fairly cheap and they're self contained except for the pump if you use a separate one.