Add on power steering? Case 431-L

flatpkr

Member
Wondering if it?s possible to add power steering to a tractor that originally did not have it. The tractor is a Case 431-L made in 1961.
Thanks
Jim
mvphoto24227.jpg
 
I have oftentimes wondered if you could take a hydro static steering from a combine, and work that into a manual steering tractor. You would somehow need about 4-6 good hydraulic flow, so maybe a second pump, or a priority valve using the tractors regular pump. Something I would like to see done by someone with the talent to pull it all together.
 
Bruce; I have power steering on my DC. The previous owner used a combine steering wheel with hydraulic motor plumbed into the hydraulic system. Removed the chicken roost steering rod and secured a hydraulic cylinder to the loader frame to the steering assembly at the front of the tractor. Works good. Gotta love the farmerized engineering some went to to make it work for them. gobble
 
I have a Case 440 in my shop now with an I beam front axle. I am using the hydrostatic system off a Case 660 combine to steer it. Hydraulic power is coming from a 30gpm front mtd. pump and a priority valve.
Loren
 
What was the power steering unit like or what did they call it in 1961? For the tractors that did have power steering at the time.
Thanks
Jim
 
My 611 b has the Charlin HYD Motor in that shaft .Has the Punp on the right Side of the Engine where they are on the Newer 430 - 530 tractors are .Last one I saw on EBAY was at $600.
 
The early 430s usedva charlynn unit installed in the steering shaft along the engine. They used an auxiliary pump. A lot of IHC tractors of the 50s and early 60s were retrofitted with similar units. A scrap yard is likely your best bet to obtain one.
 
The Char-Lynn unit looks like this:
24254.jpg

My 611b has a loader on it, sorry the frame kinda gets in the view. The output coupler looks about the same as the input. The Barnes gear-driven pump looks like this:
24255.jpg

24256.jpg

FWIW I still haven't gotten mine to work for more than an hour or so. First the pump was emptying the fluid into the motor (my engine got thoroughly cleaned out), finally got it sealed, only to have the servo sprout leaks at both ends. It isn't really much to write home about anyway, only a slight assist, not like a full power steering setup even though it's hydraulic. You're not going to turn the wheels with one finger, probably not even if you're moving. The Char-Lynn unit is still available new, ~$1000 IIRC, don't know what you'd do for a pump. I don't remember which manual has the mounting instructions, probably service, but sorry mine won't cover your tractor anyway.
 

Kevinthefixer,
Have you checked the steering gear box to see if it has oil in it?The power steering on my 530 real easy. I can turn the steering wheel with my fingers. But it will act as you describe when the steering gear box gets low on oil. The oil leaks past the steering shaft seal and I have to add a little oil every so often.
 
(quoted from post at 04:11:40 09/27/18)
Kevinthefixer,
Have you checked the steering gear box to see if it has oil in it?The power steering on my 530 real easy. I can turn the steering wheel with my fingers. But it will act as you describe when the steering gear box gets low on oil. The oil leaks past the steering shaft seal and I have to add a little oil every so often.
Thanks for the tip, but yes, it was bone dry when I got it and probably is rusty inside. Project for another year, maybe after I retire. Does your 530 have that same setup? TBH it looks a bit rigged to me, like an afterthought that wasn't too well thought out.
 
The support bearings in the bottom of the spindle get wear spots in them that the rollers like to set in. They are not expensive and easy to get at most bearing supply places. New ones might help,
 
I have a Char-Lynn torque motor and gear drive hyd pump on my 311B with fel. It is usually one finger steering moving or stopped on hard ground/concrete. Loaded bucket or rough ground requires more effort but it is full PS not assist like the front of axle cylinder mounted on my 310.

I posted the mounting instruction for 300 & x00B tractor at the link. They should be suitable for an early 430. Char-Lynn's on these older tractors required a pump or hyd source capable of about 4 gpm @ 1000 psi. My 311B typical driving 75 - 300 psi, more for loaded bucket.

Something to consider, the torque on the steering gear box will much higher and faster with the Char-Lynn than by hand. You might want to check it out first.

I bought 2 used units off FeaBay several years ago. They both leaked at the output shaft seal after a few months in service. I was able to buy full seals kits for them at that time, may be still available. I think the reason they leaked is in the mounted position on the tractor the output shaft slanted down and particulates in the unit from prior use migrated down into the seal.

Joe
http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t 1282939&highlight power steering
 
(quoted from post at 14:14:56 09/27/18)
(quoted from post at 04:11:40 09/27/18)
Kevinthefixer,
Have you checked the steering gear box to see if it has oil in it?The power steering on my 530 real easy. I can turn the steering wheel with my fingers. But it will act as you describe when the steering gear box gets low on oil. The oil leaks past the steering shaft seal and I have to add a little oil every so often.
Thanks for the tip, but yes, it was bone dry when I got it and probably is rusty inside. Project for another year, maybe after I retire. Does your 530 have that same setup? TBH it looks a bit rigged to me, like an afterthought that wasn't too well thought out.

Somewhat similar to yours, but the steering motor is located under the dash. When I bought the tractor I replaced the filter in the hydraulic resiviour and put new fluid in the system. It was acting kind of jerky and steering rough. I filled the steering gear box with 85w140 gear lube. That smoothed out the steering right away.
 
It may be difficult to install the pump on a 188 CID engine as the oil filter is probably in the way. Then the generator bracket would need to be changed. May not be possible?
Jim

mvphoto24288.jpg


mvphoto24289.jpg
 
Yeah, looks like either the oil filter would have to be moved (is there a remote kit for it?) or you'd need a belt-driven pump. You do seem to have the same holes in the block for the gear pump but it seems unlikely your cam gears are the same as mine. Probably made a different pump for your tractor. The generator bracket is just a piece of stamped steel that bolts onto the PS pump, wouldn't be hard to fab at all. Locating a pump and "torque motor" as they call it at a reasonable price, well, that might be hard. Hosing the thing might be tricky, too; mine has one line replaced with a flexible hydraulic hose and it gets mighty tight there under the gas tank. I don't think I'd want to take on that project.
 
The 660 combine engine had a pump and alternator bracket. They had a Barnes pump and a Motorola alt on that side.
 
I put a little 22A alternator in place of the generator, used the stock bracket and a sleeve in the alt's lower mount hole. Biggest problem was finding a pulley to fit the wide belt.
24321.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 03:29:43 09/28/18) Yeah, looks like either the oil filter would have to be moved (is there a remote kit for it?) or you'd need a belt-driven pump. You do seem to have the same holes in the block for the gear pump but it seems unlikely your cam gears are the same as mine. Probably made a different pump for your tractor. The generator bracket is just a piece of stamped steel that bolts onto the PS pump, wouldn't be hard to fab at all. Locating a pump and "torque motor" as they call it at a reasonable price, well, that might be hard. Hosing the thing might be tricky, too; mine has one line replaced with a flexible hydraulic hose and it gets mighty tight there under the gas tank. I don't think I'd want to take on that project.

Nothing needs to be moved in order to add power steering to a 430, if you use the power steering that was made for that model.

https://partstore.caseih.com/us/par...&sl=EN&currency=#epc::mr56605ar816726

The picture is of my 530 with PS. The resiviour is separate of the pump, which gives room for the gear driven pump to be mounted on the engine. You can see that the generator and oil filter are in the same place. A 430 would be the same.

24324.jpg
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top