350 Utility Steering Adjustments

[Mark(PA)]

Hello Everyone,

You may or may not remember I bought a 350U last august. It was a great deal and I'm very happy with the tractor. I used it at the end of the year to bale up about 200 bales of hay and it worked well. However prior to next years hay season when I plan to use it much more than this year I really would like to know a bit more about the steering, hydraulics, exhaust, and a seat.

Here is what I'd like to accomplish.

1. When this tractor steers the one tire will pull to the oppisite side I am trying to go at time and dig up turf and grass. This is the worst part really. The tire in question is one size larger than the other tire so I am thinking of replacing it anyway thinking that is one reason, and the second item is that I notice on the steering housing box it could be tightened up some. there is some play on the right hand side (when driving). those bolts are all loose but they are very hard to get at.

My questions. What all does anyone put on those bolts to keep them tight? does Loctite work? Is there any adjustments on the steering box itself to keep that one wheel from pulling against the other? I also thought of buying new tie rod ends. I have seen them on ebay lately. Any other suggestions? this is a power steering box and overall it works pretty well.

The tractor has a loader on it which I am thinking of at least taking the arms and bucket off next year possibly. maybe the whole works. i haven't yet figure out a good way to get it off really.

2. Second question on hydraulics. I would like to add a remote but I am unsure how to do this really. there is one lever that is used to raise and lower the fast hitch right now. then some lines that go to the front for the power steering. Can anyone tell me how to find where to add more lines on it? maybe I should take a picture to help out on this one. i can do that if needed.

3. On exhaust. this goes down under the tractor and ends right at the operators area. not a good thing when its 90 deg outside already. I thought of either extending it or trying to figure a way to put it straight up instead. the down side is that with that loader on there it is tight to do that.

4. Seat. Anyone have any suggestions on where to buy a good seat. I am not looking for a reproduction seat I am actually looking for a comfortable seat! one with full back and possibly arms. Just wondering if anyone has put one like that on a 350U.

thanks to anyone for any suggestions

 

[glennster]

you ncan try loctite on the nuts to keep them from backing out, or use a castle nut and cotter pin, you would need to drill a hole in the bolt on the tie rod end. for the exhaust, have a muffler shop bend you up a piece of pipe to exit in a better location. and for a seat, try shoup's, shop parts dot com, farm and fleet or big r's. altho shoups has a pretty good selection. brackets are pretty easy to modify if you need to.

 

[big fred]

The best steering adjustment procedure I've seen is in the I&T manual. If you have the shop manual, it has pretty much the same procedure.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The different tire size will pull some...have you checked the toe-in? Should be about 1/8" at the front.
Seats and sheet metal...I use Steiner's at steiner.com. I put a Farmall manifold on mine to get the exhaust out the top...like you I got tired of hot feet. I work my junk so I put the Farmall manifold on so as the exhaust pipe would be in the middle of the hood panel...not up by the radiator. Safer when mowing too...had a hog catch on fire when I was a kid...man did dad get mad.
As for the housing bolts...they should stay tight. I have redone several and never had a problem. They may be worn out.
If it's a International loader...just unhook the lines, plug them, remove the rear loader to axle bolts, block up the loader frame and back up. Done.
If you want a remote...just use the loader controls when you remove the loader if its an International. Just add hoses and disconnets...your home free.
One last thing...if that thing has had a loader a long time...jack it up and check the front axle pivot pin. People never grease them...and they wear a lot with a loader. CIH makes a bushing and pin set for them.
My 2 cents.....

 

[Anonymous-0]

try a tractor junk yard for the seat .... cushion seats with arm rests was available from the factory. i have one on my 300u . 300/350 seats are the same in the parts list . be ware of tie rod ends on Ebay . i ordered one from marshal parts in Ky listed on Ebay .turned out to be a ford tie rod end . was advertised for ih 300/350u . sent it back without trying it . they claimed it would work . think there could have been a problem using it . really P.O. me off trying to pull a fast one on me .went to conflict resulition to get it returned . i have had good luck using the classafied ads on this site for parts.jp tractor salvage in mo and bates corp in indiana both specialise older ih tractors .bates will be the most expensive . ( they quoted me $990. for a rebuilt manual stearing box) .

 

[Mark (PA)]

Fred. I will be buying a manual and check out the steering info! Never thought about that one. I have a shop manual on order from Jensales.

 

[Mark (PA)]

HI Bill, I don't know if it is an IH loader or not. I have not been able to find a tag on it. I was thinking for some reason I couldn't just back out when I looked at this one time. Like I had to get the back end up higher to get over the front axle but maybe I am mistaken. Will take a look tonight! This loader has a resivoir on it. Not coming out of the rear end or anything and the controls are also mounted on the loader so I can't use them as remotes if I remove the loader etc. Will have to research this a bit more. Thanks so far!

 

[Mark (PA)]

Bil thanks for the heads up! they were from Marshals tractors. I had wondered if they were correct or not for my tractor! YOu saved me some pain there!

 

[Janicholson]

Standard IH spool valves for that tractor are what is needed. They are placed in front of the existing valve on the same side. There is a plug (or two)there now that are removed to place the new valves. They stack to allow two (or more) in that location.
The tire size should be very close to make it steer well, but the slop in the box mount (even a little) when coupled with loose Draglink ends will cause improper steering angle on turns. Toe in is best measured with correct tires. Lift the axle (one side at a time) and use a nail in a 2X4 to scribe a line on the tread near the middle of each tire. Spin the wheel and let the nail make a black mark to measure from. Foll the tractor forward to put pressure to that direction, then measure front of tire mark to the mark on the other side. Then the back of tire to back of other side. Difference of 1/8" is cool.
To get the loader off try a old used awingset and lift it from that. JimN

 

[Anonymous-0]

Well...that is totally different from my IH loader. All the valves are IH and down by the seat.
Good luck.

 

[Mark(PA)]

Jim

thanks for the info on the Toe In. now I know what you mean. I will need to take that housing off I am sure because it needs tightened up bad. I think my tie rod ends really aren't too bad. But the Toe is surely not correctly. Thanks again. I'll need to figure a way to get that loader off I think to work on things normally. its just to big and bulky on there.