350U hydraulic test port


I am working on a 350U, must be the industrial version, so no 3pt and no remotes. The problem is the power steering doesn't work. So the fist question is, do the hydraulics work at all in this tractor? Without remotes or a hitch I lack the usual places to plumb in a test gauge. Now I assume their must be some kind of test port on it, but I haven't been able to find it or at least recognize what is probably right under my nose. The I&T manual is no help, so some guidance would be appreciated.
 
I don't know about a test port but have you checked the oil level. If the seal in the pump has gone bad then you could be low on oil and the hydraulic oil is in your engine. From what I can tell and have heard the seal going bad is quite common.
 
My 350U has test ports on the lines running from the pump to the transmission, The smaller line is pressure and has a 1/4" plug, the suction line is the larger one 3/8"? I too have no oil going to the power steering. I put a pressure gauge on the test port and get no pressure until I deadhead the 2 point hitch. Then I get 600 psi, still nothing to the steering. Next step disassemble the priority valve?.
 
600 psi sounds weak to me. My experience with other IH tractors of that vintage is it should be showing at least 11 to 1200psi. About where on the lines are the test ports? The tractor I am working on is about 30 miles away so checking this information isn't easy.
 
The guy who has it assured me that the oil levels are ok, but we all know what that is worth. As far as that goes I don't know where the plug is located to check the oil levels on that model. No owners manual available, and I'm not about to buy one unless I do take the tractor.
 
Fill is under the seat - may see it at the front of the reservoir if your seat is pushed back. It has a dip stick so its easy to tell oil level.
 
My 350U has 2 flanged lines that run from the pump ahead of the distributor to the front of the transmission case.The high pressure port is about 3" ahead of the transmission. Yes 600psi seems low. I wonder where the pressure regulator is. I should get flow to the steering anyway I would think.
 
Thanks for the info. Hopefully this one also has test ports there. You don't by any chance remember what size fitting the port used?
Yes at 600 I would think you would get at least some reaction on the power steering. You might try jacking some load off the front end and crack one of the lines to the steering cylinder, then turning the wheels to see if it is getting oil to the cylinder. I don't think it will move oil unless you are turning the steering to open the valves.
 
The test port is 1/4" pipe thread. I bought a gauge from Surplus Center. The line to the P/S comes from the priority valve to the control valve (rotary) on the steering column. I can take it off and no oil flows. I can raise the front wheels with the bucket and it will steer but no power, with weight on it I cannot steer at all.
 
Ok thanks for the help. I do have a tester but needed to know what adapter is needed. Some of those fitting have some very exotic thread/size fittings. As for yours, I think you are right the priorty valve is the next place look. I have found the only way to diagnose hydraulics is like looking for a leak in a water pipe. Start from one end and work back till you find it.
 

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