300 Utility - Pros and cons ?

Im looking at a 300 Utility.
Dont know alot about this model.



Let me know your opinions.
Thanks

I own a 350U and have loved it since the green ribbon was cut off the muffler in 57. They have one issue and that is a fairly weak
steering box. If power steering, they are OK if manual, they are pretty hard to steer. I would not put a loader on it. Jackson
Power Steering can be retrofit, but cost. Jim

Good little tractor. I have one but have not used it for a long time. If the one your looking at does not have power steer you best be built like the hulk because they where very hard to steer unless they had power steering, The one I have does not have power steering and is a bear to steer but that was the nature of them

I have owned a 300 utility since June
of 1999, I will agree the steering box
is the biggest weak link, I absolutly
love mine, very nice driving and
handling little tractor and very nice
to get on and off of, still one of my
favorite tractors of all time...

Depends on what you want it for. Loader? As mentioned below not a good choice. As a general all around small farm tractor for pulling etc it is a very good tractor. I have one used for general purpose and it also pulls my boom sprayer in the Spring. I run my log splitter off it. Powers the cement mixer. Grades lanes and plows snow. That is the sort of stuff it is good for.

I had a 300 utility for quite a while that I sold this past fall. I never really had any complaints, it was a good tractor. I
had a larger loader tractor and the 300 just wasn't getting the use. In good condition they should hold their value if well
cared for. Mine had live power take-off, torque amplifier, power steering, and a Wagner loader. I can't imagine using manual
steering with a loader. They are a strong tractor, have fun with it!

I've an I&T service manual plus a bunch of original IH service manuals for the 300 if you end up getting your tractor. Email is
open.

I own one and run a 9" haybine every year with it. Most of them have live PTO, TA and can have a 2 pt hitch. Those are options so its possible to not have them. Steer hard if manual steering. If they had a loader in their life then most likely some steering damage. Mine had a bunch when I got it. Fortunately a machine shop was able to fix it. They have the power of a super H. They also have IH disk brakes which suck but can be made to work. I like mine and haven't had any problems once I got past the steering issues.

Janicholson :: Agree with the fairly weak and will add quite scarce to find new gears.
Wonder what would happen if you used the original power steering box but did not use the hydraulic cyl portion, instead use individual cylinders on each tie rod like the Jackson kit does. Wouldn't this take some of the strain off the steering gears?

From 57 or so Ford cars had a linkage type power steering system. It could be used with the manual box, or the power box if the piston was removed and the control valve system made ridged. The control valve would allow serious flex unless it was locked. Jim

I think what Dunner means is using the existing control valve and plumbing it to cylinders on each side like Jackson. Or maybe parallel with existing cylinder. I have a 350 I am about ready to send down the road, can't steer without lifting front end with bucket.

Bear with me here! Buddy of mine owned a Deere #55 combine, bought a 4400 and srapped the #55. Somebody
from Minnesota got the engine, somebody else the tires & wheels, and My buddy took all the power steering
components. Flash forward about ten years, Buddy starts restoring his Allis Chalmers D-12 Industrial
tractor/loader/backhoe. It was built with manual steering. Basically impossible to steer with anything
in the loader bucket. Took him a couple weeks to come up with the plans for installing the #55 combine
P/S on the little Allis, had to buy a steering cylinder, proportioning valve, some hose, had a machine
shop make a couple pieces for the project. It's been a trophy winner at a couple shows, people tell him
their Dad had one Just Like it back in 1959. Buddy is friends with the owner of the dealer that sold it
new. It's one of maybe 20-25 ever built. Anyhow, he can load dirt, snow, and spin the steering wheel
standing still with the spinner knob. BIG front mounted crankshaft driven hyd pump runs the loader, hoe,
and P/S. The valves, hand pump, etc located under the gas tank behind the side panels.

So, Moral of the story is, Power Steering is where you find it, 1960's vintage farm or construction
equip. is a good place to start looking. Then do a neat job of installing them onto your tractor.

Tom A "I think what Dunner means is using the existing control valve and plumbing it to cylinders on each side like Jackson."
This is exactly what I was thinking about.

Not that the diverter valve scheme would not work.
Might be more inclined to go that way if I had manual steering to start with.