Tom Arnold - update on my Case 646

Tom,
Been a while since I been on Yesterdays tractors I think it was this last May anyways. Not sure if you can remember me or not? I asked what type hydraulic fluid to use in the 646's. You told me 20W/50.
Not going to believe this but since I got on here and asked the question I have gotten real busy since with neighbors wanting me to work on there mowers ect. Don't know why as I did'nt advertize it anyways. Anyways it was enought that it keep me an my freind busy all summer.
I got all power red items parts painted and installed. Since then I decited to leave the industial yellow parts like loader, fenders, Ect go till next spring when it warms back up.
I did get most of it put back together and I been using it off an on now an then.
I got this 646 in a bushel back case so too speak.
Boy what a time I had with the plumbing figureing it out what goes where. Tractor did'nt have a engine in it when I got it. The old engine 16.5 hp was in bad shape. I did'nt know if I could make a P220 engine that I had out of a JD 420 work or not but I gave it a try. Tight fit but I got her to work ok so far. Few alterations but not that many as what I would have had.
I do know one thing it would of been easyer to work on if I was a pigme W/Out Polioasist to get into them tight areas. Some of my new paint job got scratched up already. I need to get some more parts yet like the steering wheel and seat yet. Right now I have a 224 steering wheel on it and it sets too low to the seat for the leg an knee room. Must be the 646 steering wheel much taller? I do need to order some lift Cylinder seals. Both sides are leaking bad. This 646 been setting for 23 years in a guys barn. Didn't want to spend the money for a engine o/h. I figure the orings in the cylinder are dry rotted or cracked over the years. I did find a part # for the seals Old # T41499 New # 28788 Pricey at 78.02 per cylinder.
All an all I was surprized when we started it up as I thought we have a bunch of oil leaks or something not right in the plumming anyways but no leaks in any valved or lines what so ever only the lift cylinders. I rewire a new harness and it work ok when starting it. I did install a low pressure oil gauge and done away with the idiot light for now could'nt find one for it at the time. Onan engine carries 25 lbs oil pressure. I think thats good? I see the new fuel tanks are made of plastic now. The old one had rotted from rain water in it.
One thing for sure I like to figure out how I can install a power steering unit in it. Not much room but I'm going to try anyways. I'm no spring chicken no more!!
Better close this book I wrote sorry about that! .
And thanks for your help on the question I asked back in May! Like to get few pictures taken of it but I keep forgetting my camera.
Take Care Tom I'll try getting on more often since the big rush this summer.
Mike

Sounds to me like you are having fun. LOL

The various seals used in all of the loader cylinders can be found at just about any shop that rebuilds hydraulic equipment for a price much less than you will pay at a Case or Ingersoll dealer.

You might also consider becoming a member of my Colt, Case and Ingersoll forum to obtain manuals and other help with your project. Use the link below to access the site.

The best way to add power steering to your 646 is to obtain all of the necessary parts from a 648 that is being parted out but unfortunately, those are not easy to find. It is also possible to adapt the power steering units from other Case/Ingersoll garden tractors that came with power steering. Either way it won't be cheap and it will also be a fair amount of work to accomplish successfully.

Instead, you might want to focus on setting up your loader with the proper amount of counterweight to offset some of the pressure on the front wheels. Another idea is to install the 16:50 X 8 inch TRI-RIB tires from Miller Tire and run them at about 20 LBS. You will notice a big difference if you install those tires.

New parts, including the correct steering wheel, can be purchased from

http://www.casegardentractorparts.com

Bob Meyers has been a dealer for decades and his online store lists many of the commonly needed parts. But Bob can also get many of the other parts people need for their Colt, Case and Ingersoll tractors if you just use the CONTACT feature and ask him.
hydriv.ca