Adding Powersteering to 801

[Rustyb1]

Id like to add power steering to my 801, any suggestions whats the best route and most economical??

 

[graham_in_NJ]

Economical isn't part of this equation You have a couple of choices. Either buy a parts tractor that has PS and sell of the remaining parts to recoup some of your investment, or head over to fleabay. Fleabay will cost you as you need a steering gear, the C-tubes which go from the front axle to the side of the tractor (I'm sure there is a name for them?), the steering cylinders, the steering rods, the pump, the pump bracket, special water neck with hole for pump, the lines (although you could make your own) and the lower crank pulley with the 2nd sheave and a belt. It's a 4 digit number via ebay. If I forgot something, someone else here will remind me

 

[GaryinKs]

There is a man in Kansas that makes a power steering kit for the 100 series Fords , they claim it works very well but is very expensive

 

[Ultradog MN]

Your list of parts needed is correct and 4
digit number ($1000) is in the zone.
In my opinion having PS is worth that
amount of money. I would cry if I had to go
back to manual steering.

 

[Andy Wickiser]

Link.

Not sure what price range.
Jackson Power Steering

 

[Dean]

The least expensive option is UD's suggestion.

Be advised that (almost?) all of the PS systems on salvage tractors are worn out and will likely need considerable work to function properly.

 

[graham_in_NJ]

I think if you can find a roach of a tractor with PS, at least you can see if it works. Such tractors are usually cheap and may have an abundance of parts to sell off or keep as spares. Just don't buy a decent tractor. You'll want to keep it. I bought a pair of 13.6's which I needed for my Ferguson. They were attached to a badly abused 841. I sold the Ferguson :shock:

 

[strum456]

I installed an electric power steering
unit from a Saturn View on my 860. I have
a lot of time in the project, but not a
lot of money. Out of all our tractors, the
electric power steering on the 860 is one
of the best.

 

[pomester]

"I installed an electric power steering
unit from a Saturn View on my 860."

I'd think this would be worth a thread an some pictures -

David

 

[Ultradog MN]

Adding electric PS to a Ford tractor is a
topic that has been discussed at length on
the N board.
Here are my thoughts on the matter.
Untill Ford added true power power steering
like is used on say, a 4600 where the work
is done inside the steering box, every PS
system was a power assist system designed
to apply the power 'in front' of the
steering box.
Examples: On power assist like was used on
a 600, 800, 2000, 3000 4000, 4400, 4500,
5000, etc turning the wheel moved a control
valve which supplied hydraulic pressure to
the steering cylinders. Those cylinders are
located IN FRONT of the steering box. So
there is no additional torque or power
applied to the steering box components.

Adding an electric unit between the
steering wheel and box would apply the
power BEHIND the steering box. It would be
like ham handing the wheel all the time and
would soon wear out the components in the
box.

I will grant that grafting on a Saturn type
unit might give you one handed steering for
light chores like mowing on a tractor
without a loader.
But if you hoped it would make your loader
tractor easier to steer you would have two
problems.
First: it would not supply enough power to
be effective.
Second: if you installed a larger, more
powerful unit you would quickly wear out or
break the components inside the steering
box.
Lastly if you saw one of those units
installed they require you to chop the dash
and tin all to heck and are very, Very
ugly.
Strum456 if yours works for you that is
good but I would never do that to one of my
tractors.

 

[RobCons]

What about those Turkish units? I see them every once in a while but have never driven a tractor with one operational. They are advertised not for use with a loader.

 

[strum456]

I certainly agree that it would not be wise to install EPS on a tractor that is intended for heavy use such as a loader. We use ours for raking hay, light brush hogging, sickle bar mowing, and the landscape rake. I have to say that EPS 860 is my go to when I need something manuverable. I didn't really photo document the build, but I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

 

[Rustyb1]

I saw from a post long ago that someone modified a 3000 setup
onto an 800 but with almost no pictures only a description. I
think Im going to go this route and post a lot of pictures with
minimal fab so someone not so experienced can do the job as
well. Anyone with a 3000 to send photos over to me of the
steering setup and we can compare

 

[Texasmark]

I don't know. The 800 series is 4 cyl and the 3000 is 3 cyl, a completely different block casting. Not only is the pump mounting spot
questionable (does a mounting place exist) but the deadman for the new hydraulic cylinder may have no place to mount on the 4 cyl
block.

I have 100 series manuals out in the shop. If I think about it tomorrow I'll get them out and look at it. I have the aftermarket I bought
on ebay and I really like it on my 3000.