M upgrades

[oldtanker]

We have an M with IH wide front. It is a working tractor not a show piece. It has the distributer as an up grade. It would be nice to have hydraulics and power steering. Are there any reasonable priced stuff available for it?

Rick

 

[Janicholson]

If it a mid 1951 or newer M it can have a hydraulic pump installed from a SM stage2 or newer Farmall/IH tractor. Up to X50 series.
It would need heavier gears in the cam drive to assure strength if older, and only M&W aftermarket pumps will work on the older bolt pattern of front engine cover. The archives here are covering this issue vwery well. To put on Powersteering, it is necessary to use either a priority valve in the new system, or a separate belt driven hydraulic pump for the steering torque generator. Jim

 

[sflem849]

(quoted from post at 10:02:08 09/20/10) If it a mid 1951 or newer M it can have a hydraulic pump installed from a SM stage2 or newer Farmall/IH tractor. Up to X50 series.
It would need heavier gears in the cam drive to assure strength if older, and only M&W aftermarket pumps will work on the older bolt pattern of front engine cover. The archives here are covering this issue vwery well. To put on Powersteering, it is necessary to use either a priority valve in the new system, or a separate belt driven hydraulic pump for the steering torque generator. Jim

I saw a "restored" SMTA at the show in Union Grove, WI that had a separate hyd pump for it's power steering. Just thought that was kind of weird when you were already acomplishing the goal with your live hyds. Just had to share that.

 

[Janicholson]

If a hydraulic attachment is used on a tractor with limited pump resources, the attachment might become inoperative if steering takes some of the pressure. These systems are not high capacity. Jim

 

[rustyfarmall]

Define "reasonably priced". Power steering and live hydraulics and the assorted items that go with it will run somewhere around $1,500 to $2,000, but will greatly add to the usefulness and ease of use for that M.

 

[mkirsch]

Yup.

The live pump is over $800 all by itself. There are no cheaper alternatives. Used pumps bring at least 50% of new price, and are often worn out. They are not rebuildable.

You can't get a "kit" for the power steering any more but you can piece one together. The Charlynn torque generator is over $600 all by itself.

That's $1400, and doesn't give you any of the other bits and pieces to put it all together. No valves, no hoses, no fittings, no reservoir.

$2000 just might be enough to cover it.

 

[CNKS]

I have a newly aquired Super M with Charlyn and priority valve. I have had an M for 17 years with Charlyn and separate pump. Other than having to cut the fan shroud, I think I prefer the separate pump. It is a neat installation. The SM system needs work, I have not looked at it as yet. Really have no intention of coverting it so that it is like the M, though.

 

[Bernie Steffen]

The vast majority of the letter Farmalls I have seem with charlynn pwer steering, the remote pump is mounted on the govenor case. Mine is mounted on one of the waterpump bolts with a brace going to the exhaust manifold bolt. The canister for oil supply is mounted on top of the pump. Now I think this a better setup. However I usually think this when its what I have to work with. I have a new in the box torque generator I don"t need if anybody is interested. I know want adds. Sorry. Anyway just my thoughts. Bernie Steffen

 

[oldtanker]

OK then for what it's worth and the current value of tractors I'd be beter off finding something newer that has power steering and good hydraulics. Guess I'm in the market for another tractor....you know you really can't have too many....gee break my heart....gonna look for something in the 40-60 hp range I guess.

Thanks!

Rick

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 19:46:30 09/20/10) OK then for what it's worth and the current value of tractors I'd be beter off finding something newer that has power steering and good hydraulics. Guess I'm in the market for another tractor....you know you really can't have too many....gee break my heart....gonna look for something in the 40-60 hp range I guess.

Thanks!

Rick

I'd be looking for a 706 or maybe even a 656.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Your M has a Delco-Remy distributor conversion they sold to replace the magneto, you could convert to live pump with a complete pump & distributor IH original parts from Super M, MTA, or 400/450, next problem would be Camshaft & gear on your tractor would be early style prone to fail either gear hub break or cam shear off at gear mount stub, PS was mostly Char-Lynn added because borrowing from live pump like with loader demand more than pump could handle.

 

[IH fan]

(quoted from post at 16:17:43 09/20/10) I have a newly aquired Super M with Charlyn and priority valve. I have had an M for 17 years with Charlyn and separate pump. Other than having to cut the fan shroud, I think I prefer the separate pump. It is a neat installation. The SM system needs work, I have not looked at it as yet. Really have no intention of coverting it so that it is like the M, though.

I agree whole heartedly. I have a 240U with a priority valve and Char-Lynn torque generator. Dad had a JD 60 with a Char-Lynn and a separate Saginaw pump. Separate pump was much better because my 240 when idled below about 1/3 throttle does not have enough flow left on the "secondary" to run the 3 point. Spent many a day on the 60 and never had a problem with the steering at any engine speed. Dad sold it to a nephew and later the Saginaw went bad... he converted it to the internal JD pump and it worked okay, but the JD had a bigger internal pump than the IH pumps.