MD Power Steering

[farmall pete]

Hi Guys, I'm researching options to add PS to my MD. I'm fine with buying a used setup but after searching they seem pretty rare. With the way an MD is configured looks like one off a standard M would require lots of MacGuyvering to make it work.

I want something like the Char-Lynn setup that goes under the hood. I was even wondering if anyone has found an electric setup that would fit under there. Seems easier than having to figure out all the pieces for a hydraulic one.

Thanks for any help.

 

[fastfarmall]

The only guy that i knew ever got a electric setup to work, and that was on a B Farmall, was the tractor Doc, who writes for the Red Power Magazine!That was some thing he got off a car and it worked good on a lighter B, not sure on a MD.

 

[John M]

Pete, this is the only setup thats electric I have ever seen on an M, and I dont know the outcome of it as to whether it worked or not. Im not sure there would
be enogh room under the hood for something like that to fit, and something smaller may not be strong enough. Good luck though! Have you checked on the issue with
the H hydraulics yet?
click here

 

[farmall pete]

Thanks for the link John. I haven't dropped the pump on the H yet to see what's going on. The front seal started leaking badly and the pump isn't building pressure like it should, even with a full reservoir.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

The motor mount/instrument cluster plate for the Char Lynn setup isn't all that expensive, $85. Might be worth picking one up and comparing it to the MD's instrument cluster to see how different they are. Unfortunately the parts books are not forthcoming with numbers for the instrument panels to see if they're the same from the M to the MD.

There is an out of the box solution but you might not like it: My Super M has a power steering motor off of a 504 mounted to the steering post. Connects to the rest of the steering system via a universal joint. Best power steering on any tractor on the farm.

If the plate can work, all you need are the motor a power steering pump (any pump with a reservoir will do), and lines. Fab up a mount for the pump and drive it off the alternator belt, very common "farmer" thing to do.

 

[Olyj1947]

I used a Char-Lynn unit on the steering shaft, mounted a GM pickup pump under the hood on the left side and run it off the alternator belt. I found an nos bracket for the gauges on a farm sale. It doesn't take much room under the hood. BTW It's on a Farmall M