Power Steering for E-4 Co-op

TW Hertel

New User
Cockshutt / Co-op enthusiast you may get a kick out of this. Completed installation of home built power steering system. Works great. Kept all the original parts to restore to original if desired. Eaton steering valve and twin hydraulic cylinders makes for comfortable loader work.
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I had an E-4 with a Johnson Workhorse loader on it a few years back but sold it because it was like steering a lumber wagon. I missed the old E-4 and got another one and decided power steering would be the best answer. The current tractor is a 1951 E-4 with a modified Quaker loader. The steering project is a fun challenge but be ready to spend $1200 to $1500 for components. Hoses alone are nearly $400.
Removed original under belly A-frame and welded parts of F-20 frame for cylinder and pivot anchor points. Used a 7000# stub weld on hub for circle pivot. The most challenging aspect was fabricating the 3/8” thick turning plates to match cylinder stroke to tie rod movement. Custom tie rods were built from components from WFO concepts. It has an 11.3 ci non load reacting Eaton steering valve and twin 3” x 10” stroke hydraulic cylinders all purchased from Surplus Center . The original steering box, vertical shaft and radius arms were removed and were retained along with a 2nd a-frame to allow original restoration if desired. Currently have an adjustable priority valve off the PTO loader pump. The unit needs around 4 to 6 gpm and 1200 psi to operate. If one has a good original Cockshutt pump mounted of the backside of the governor, it would also run the unit, but found that a larger hydraulic reservoir would run cooler and with less stress. Was concerned that tractor would steer spongy without mechanical links but that is not the case. Steering is very solid and requires very little effort regardless the load. One has to keep in mind that these tractors have a fairly light axle and one need to operate and keep loads to reasonable limits.
The unit is going to town to perform winter snow removal. It also get used for various other loader tractor work. It is a working tractor that is going to earn it’s keep, there are no slackers on this farm.
 
(quoted from post at 14:22:31 09/08/13) I Steering is very solid and requires very little effort regardless the load. One has to keep in mind that these tractors have a fairly light axle and one need to operate and keep loads to reasonable limits.
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Interesting project. I have never driven one of these with power steering. Dad's 50 really needed power steering. Terrible heavy steering. It had the heavy duty front axle with the cast 18 inch wheels. We changed it over to a light axle and 16 inch wheels from a 40 which helped a little but still heavy steering.
 

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