Jackson Power Steering.....

[kdahep]

I have a 300 U that I would like to add the Jackson power steering to. I think the steering sector or internals are broken. Does anyone have any info on their system?

 

[Janicholson]

I have spoken with Mr. Jackson related to the Utility IH tractors. He and I discussed the existing PS OEM troubles and internal structures. I have not followed up on the solution he arrived at, Call him. Very nice and helpful. Jim

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

There's a whole website on the system, including videos.

http://jacksonpowersteering.com/

In a nutshell he is replacing the steering box and drag links with a hand pump and two cylinders to make it fully hydrostatic steering.

The cost of the system probably exceeds the value of most 300U tractors, but given that there are no parts for the old broken steering boxes, and more people looking for good used steering boxes than there are good used steering boxes, it's the only alternative to scrapping the tractor.

 

[Duner Wi]

Janicholson, Did you happen to talk about a hyd cyl kit for 350U that still has a good working power steering. The hyd cyls would move the force out to the tie rods rather than have all force transferred thru the steering gears. The existing steering gear would direct the hyd fluid to the outboard cyls. Thanks

 

[Janicholson]

Mostly we discussed the inner gearing and connections between the two shafts coming out of the box. The internal hydraulic elements and the rack that moves the sector must be removed. The gearing between sides needs to be the only thing remaining in the original box so that the power cylinders can stay in sync. The steering wheel tube is removed and blanked off to allow room for the hydrostatic control pump. Gear oil in the gears is still used for the remaining gears. That was the basic discussion. IIRC we also discussed the fact that teeth can be broken off of the meshing sectors making those unusable. I have not heard whether he has a kit for them made yet. Jim

 

[Duner Wi]

Thanks for reply and I understand your thinking. My scheme would use the existing good power steering gear but disable the internal piston but use rest of gear to divert hyd fluid right to left to 2 external cylinders mounted to each tie/drag rods. Maybe something I have over looked,
like who would go the the trouble before steering gear is broken.

 

[the tractor vet]

I have FIXED three of them steering boxes Now how long they will stay Fixed is anybodys guess All had the center tooth busted on the one sector , they all were loader tractors . what i did was drill the root of the tooth and tap it for 1/4 inch grade 8 bolts then do a weld build up then grind it the best i could and polish it . One i did with M G 600 rod and the other two i did with Royal 220 as i did not want to drive to the only place around that sold the M G 600 rod Fantastic rod BUT ya will not like the price . Back when ya could buy 50 # of 7018 for 42 bucks that would not get you a pound of the MG 600.

 

[Janicholson]

If the two sector gears are OK, and you have good rod ends, your idea should work. Jim

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

A good machinist could build the teeth back up with weld and machine them down, but that is also a costly option.

 

[pete 23]

Could have used a good steering system on those 300 utilities about 50 or 60 years ago . There was a lot of them in use back then. Construction companies used them a lot and tore them up.