FORD 555A backhoe, no plate, power steering simply stopp

so i may be clogging up the board here about this backhoe i got from my dad. the notes in the service manual's he has (vol-1, and vol 2) indicate that there is no actual serial number plate but the place he bought it at years ago, had work done on it at a place called APCO in las vegas, and they had it listed as a FORD 555A with a SN #C591951

does that seem to make sense to the ford experts?

so i just took it to the ranch and the first day it ran pretty good, the second day i started doing a lot pushing over bushes with the loader and was using the steering a lot,, toward the end of the day, it was starting to get really hard to steer,, so i checked the power steering pump (gear driven on the driver side of engine below alternator) it was low on fluid,, quite a leak going on,, looks like it is coming out of the cannister possibly,, but also maybe the hoses in between cyclinder under the tractor that turn the wheels. anyway, i add fluid, raise up the front the wheels with bucket and turn them all the way back and forth for a few times, so next morning,, the steering is better, but still hard, and i am doing some hard work with it again,, by the end of the day, or after a 4 ish hours,, it was almost impossible to steer, really hard to turn wheel,, and when i did, the tires didn't even respond hardly,, takes like 3 full turns to get a little turn,,, seems to do better with a few rpms but not much. so with it running, i can see a little fluid in the power steering pump moving around a bit,, kind of inside the perforations inside it.

so my questions,, is any one a darn good mechanic on these ford 555's? i am going to order a seal kite and filter for the cannister,, hopefully the serial number i have is correct. how hard is it to replace the hoses down below? would sure be intersted in talking someone who has recently done this, my email is [email protected]

also,, what size is the long alternator bolt,, 3/8", 7/16"

This post was edited by rockwind1 on 01/23/2022 at 06:03 am.

so i just took it to the ranch and the first day it ran pretty good, the second day i started doing a lot pushing over bushes with the loader and was using the steering a lot,, toward the end of the day, it was starting to get really hard to steer,, so i checked the power steering pump (gear driven on the driver side of engine below alternator) it was low on fluid,, quite a leak going on,, looks like it is coming out of the cannister possibly,, but also maybe the hoses in between cyclinder under the tractor that turn the wheels. anyway, i add fluid, raise up the front the wheels with bucket and turn them all the way back and forth for a few times, so next morning,, the steering is better, but still hard, and i am doing some hard work with it again,, by the end of the day, or after a 4 ish hours,, it was almost impossible to steer, really hard to turn wheel,, and when i did, the tires didn't even respond hardly,, takes like 3 full turns to get a little turn,,, seems to do better with a few rpms but not much. so with it running, i can see a little fluid in the power steering pump moving around a bit,, kind of inside the perforations inside it.

so my questions,, is any one a darn good mechanic on these ford 555's? i am going to order a seal kite and filter for the cannister,, hopefully the serial number i have is correct. how hard is it to replace the hoses down below? would sure be intersted in talking someone who has recently done this, my email is [email protected]

also,, what size is the long alternator bolt,, 3/8", 7/16"

Click to expand...

Serial number is on the left hand side of the firewall above the battery box. You can look up the bolt online at Messick's parts. It's No. 39. Not sure what you're asking about the hoses. If they're not leaking, why are you replacing them. If they are leaking, you shouldn't have any problem seeing the leak. You can take the pump apart and if it's eaten up, assume that is your problem. Cheaper to buy another pump. Otherwise, you will need to do a pressure test before you can assume you have a pump problem. Your steering cylinders could be bypassing. Your steering motor could have a problem, but not likely.

Agree with everything Check break says. Fix the leak and keep it full of fluid.

(quoted from post at 01:16:39 01/22/22)

so i just took it to the ranch and the first day it ran pretty good, the second day i started doing a lot pushing over bushes with the loader and was using the steering a lot,, toward the end of the day, it was starting to get really hard to steer,, so i checked the power steering pump (gear driven on the driver side of engine below alternator) it was low on fluid,, quite a leak going on,, looks like it is coming out of the cannister possibly,, but also maybe the hoses in between cyclinder under the tractor that turn the wheels. anyway, i add fluid, raise up the front the wheels with bucket and turn them all the way back and forth for a few times, so next morning,, the steering is better, but still hard, and i am doing some hard work with it again,, by the end of the day, or after a 4 ish hours,, it was almost impossible to steer, really hard to turn wheel,, and when i did, the tires didn't even respond hardly,, takes like 3 full turns to get a little turn,,, seems to do better with a few rpms but not much. so with it running, i can see a little fluid in the power steering pump moving around a bit,, kind of inside the perforations inside it.

so my questions,, is any one a darn good mechanic on these ford 555's? i am going to order a seal kite and filter for the cannister,, hopefully the serial number i have is correct. how hard is it to replace the hoses down below? would sure be intersted in talking someone who has recently done this, my email is [email protected]

also,, what size is the long alternator bolt,, 3/8", 7/16"

Click to expand...

Serial number is on the left hand side of the firewall above the battery box. You can look up the bolt online at Messick's parts. It's No. 39. Not sure what you're asking about the hoses. If they're not leaking, why are you replacing them. If they are leaking, you shouldn't have any problem seeing the leak. You can take the pump apart and if it's eaten up, assume that is your problem. Cheaper to buy another pump. Otherwise, you will need to do a pressure test before you can assume you have a pump problem. Your steering cylinders could be bypassing. Your steering motor could have a problem, but not likely.

Click to expand...

they did appear to be leaking but until i clean it up better i don't know for sure how much,, they are in a vulnerable spot when moving branches around

The long alternator bolt is 1/2"-13 x 6-1/2" according to the parts book.

they did appear to be leaking but until i clean it up better i don't know for sure how much,, they are in a vulnerable spot when moving branches around

Click to expand...

I was trying to get Rock to go to Messicks and look around. He's not broken down on the side of the road. There's a lot of info to be gleaned from a parts book and online parts diagrams are the cheapest way to go until he gets one.

There is a piece of sheet metal (guard) that bolts to the front axle on top of the steering cylinders. These guards (one each side) protect your steering lines. Maybe yours were removed. I use my 555A like a dozer once in a while but it gets problematic. If you have a lot of brush to remove, you might have to go the slow route and dig it out with the backhoe bucket before you push it up in a pile. If you're pushing big piles and/or long distances, you might have to get a brush rake for the front of your loader.

the place he bought it at years ago, had work done on it at a place called APCO, and they had it listed as a FORD 555A with a SN #C591951

does that seem to make sense to the ford experts?

Click to expand...

C591951 is a late 1978 serial number and the 555A was made from 1984-1985, so no, that doesn't make sense.

With that serial number it is more likely a 550 or 555 (without the "A" suffix). The 550 was made from 1975-1978 and the 555 was made from 1978-1983.

Check the engine oil to see if the level is high and/or if it smells like whatever fluid is being used in the power steering system. The power steering pump (canister, as you all it) are known to leak fluid through the front seal into the crankcase. If that is the case you should avoid running the engine until you get the leak fixed and then do an oil change before starting the engine again.

Also, the power steering pumps were the same from around 1970 through at least the mid 1990's, so the seal kit should be the same whether you get one for a 550, a 555 or a 555A.

Check elbow on bottom front of pump. The oring under nut will leak if loose and tube will crack in double flare.

(quoted from post at 09:42:26 01/22/22)

the place he bought it at years ago, had work done on it at a place called APCO, and they had it listed as a FORD 555A with a SN #C591951

does that seem to make sense to the ford experts?

Click to expand...

C591951 is a late 1978 serial number and the 555A was made from 1984-1985, so no, that doesn't make sense.

With that serial number it is more likely a 550 or 555 (without the "A" suffix). The 550 was made from 1975-1978 and the 555 was made from 1978-1983.

Click to expand...

that is very informative,,do you know if they all had the same 3 cylinder motor?

(quoted from post at 10:27:57 01/22/22) Check the engine oil to see if the level is high and/or if it smells like whatever fluid is being used in the power steering system. The power steering pump (canister, as you all it) are known to leak fluid through the front seal into the crankcase. If that is the case you should avoid running the engine until you get the leak fixed and then do an oil change before starting the engine again.

Also, the power steering pumps were the same from around 1970 through at least the mid 1990's, so the seal kit should be the same whether you get one for a 550, a 555 or a 555A.

Click to expand...

copy on the oil,, a tractor guy i know mentioned that, i am somewhat optimistic on that scenerio as the oil level usually stays the same and i can pretty much see the power steering oil dripping off bottom of canister but will defintely double check

(quoted from post at 09:39:24 01/22/22)

they did appear to be leaking but until i clean it up better i don't know for sure how much,, they are in a vulnerable spot when moving branches around

Click to expand...

I was trying to get Rock to go to Messicks and look around. He's not broken down on the side of the road. There's a lot of info to be gleaned from a parts book and online parts diagrams are the cheapest way to go until he gets one.

There is a piece of sheet metal (guard) that bolts to the front axle on top of the steering cylinders. These guards (one each side) protect your steering lines. Maybe yours were removed. I use my 555A like a dozer once in a while but it gets problematic. If you have a lot of brush to remove, you might have to go the slow route and dig it out with the backhoe bucket before you push it up in a pile. If you're pushing big piles and/or long distances, you might have to get a brush rake for the front of your loader.

Click to expand...

i have been slowly learning about messicks but i do have a couple parts books, vol 1 and vol 2! they are slightly complicated. i notice they say ford 550/555 but they don't have a letter after them, as in the "A",, maybe i don't have a 555A.

but as far as bushes/small trees,,,, there are sooooo many, i tried at first with the backhoe bucket and it was taking forever. the other thing is i was surprised at how weak the backhoe bucket is for stumps,, little 6" stumps were not even fazed by the backhoe bucket!

the brush rakes look awesome,, i was wishing for one as i was working,,, but my loader bucket looks pretty darn heavy,,, but i will keep an eye out for a brush rake!

(quoted from post at 01:16:39 01/22/22)

so i just took it to the ranch and the first day it ran pretty good, the second day i started doing a lot pushing over bushes with the loader and was using the steering a lot,, toward the end of the day, it was starting to get really hard to steer,, so i checked the power steering pump (gear driven on the driver side of engine below alternator) it was low on fluid,, quite a leak going on,, looks like it is coming out of the cannister possibly,, but also maybe the hoses in between cyclinder under the tractor that turn the wheels. anyway, i add fluid, raise up the front the wheels with bucket and turn them all the way back and forth for a few times, so next morning,, the steering is better, but still hard, and i am doing some hard work with it again,, by the end of the day, or after a 4 ish hours,, it was almost impossible to steer, really hard to turn wheel,, and when i did, the tires didn't even respond hardly,, takes like 3 full turns to get a little turn,,, seems to do better with a few rpms but not much. so with it running, i can see a little fluid in the power steering pump moving around a bit,, kind of inside the perforations inside it.

so my questions,, is any one a darn good mechanic on these ford 555's? i am going to order a seal kite and filter for the cannister,, hopefully the serial number i have is correct. how hard is it to replace the hoses down below? would sure be intersted in talking someone who has recently done this, my email is [email protected]

also,, what size is the long alternator bolt,, 3/8", 7/16"

Click to expand...

Serial number is on the left hand side of the firewall above the battery box. You can look up the bolt online at Messick's parts. It's No. 39. Not sure what you're asking about the hoses. If they're not leaking, why are you replacing them. If they are leaking, you shouldn't have any problem seeing the leak. You can take the pump apart and if it's eaten up, assume that is your problem. Cheaper to buy another pump. Otherwise, you will need to do a pressure test before you can assume you have a pump problem. Your steering cylinders could be bypassing. Your steering motor could have a problem, but not likely.

Click to expand...

thanks, i will look for it! the notes i got from my dad in the service manual indicate the plate was not there but maybe he wasn't looking in right place

(quoted from post at 14:08:18 01/22/22) Check elbow on bottom front of pump. The oring under nut will leak if loose and tube will crack in double flare.

Click to expand...

thanks! will check

(quoted from post at 09:14:30 01/22/22) The long alternator bolt is 1/2"-13 x 6-1/2" according to the parts book.

Click to expand...

thanks! i think someone put in a 3/8's or 7/16's,, it is a bit wobbly.

that is very informative,,do you know if they all had the same 3 cylinder motor?

Click to expand...

Yes, they all had the same 201 ci engine, although they tweaked some things over the years the basic design is the same, including the mounting for the power steering pump and the design of the pump itself.

i tried at first with the backhoe bucket and it was taking forever. the other thing is i was surprised at how weak the backhoe bucket is for stumps,, little 6" stumps were not even fazed by the backhoe bucket!

Click to expand...

That sounds like the bucket curl cylinder for the hoe, or the valve that controls it, may be leaking internally if it's that weak and everything else is strong. I have a little Kubota sub-compact with a backhoe and that thing will go right through the roots of a 12" diameter stump, so a 550 or 555 shouldn't even notice a stump as small as 6".

(quoted from post at 07:37:24 01/23/22)

that is very informative,,do you know if they all had the same 3 cylinder motor?

Click to expand...

Yes, they all had the same 201 ci engine, although they tweaked some things over the years the basic design is the same, including the mounting for the power steering pump and the design of the pump itself.

i tried at first with the backhoe bucket and it was taking forever. the other thing is i was surprised at how weak the backhoe bucket is for stumps,, little 6" stumps were not even fazed by the backhoe bucket!

Click to expand...

That sounds like the bucket curl cylinder for the hoe, or the valve that controls it, may be leaking internally if it's that weak and everything else is strong. I have a little Kubota sub-compact with a backhoe and that thing will go right through the roots of a 12" diameter stump, so a 550 or 555 shouldn't even notice a stump as small as 6".

Click to expand...

i thought it seemed weak, but when i bucket curl,, it drags my whole backhoe towards the stump,, i am up on outriggers and loader bucket,, although i am not putting loader bucket totally upside down so it digs in, maybe that is my problem

Uncurl the bucket so the teeth are pointing straight down on the far side of the stump. Then lower the boom so that the weight of the tractor is pushing the teeth down into the ground. If it doesn't dig in because the ground is too hard, wiggle the curl of the bucket forward and backward to get it to dig in. Then once it has dug in bend the "elbow" so the dipstick pulls the bucket towards the tractor and then, once the bucket is getting under the stump curl the bucket and lift the boom.