Agriline Power steering kit

[Millwall Paul]

Hi I have an old supermajor that I have fitted a front loader to so that I can use it around the farm for bits and bobs but the steering is so heavy. The front loader is a horndraulic one. As the steering box has failed once already, (it was cracked to start but I don't think the addition of the front loader helped much) I'm keen not to break another one, does anyone know if you can fit the agriline power steering kit with the loader still fitted to the tractor. I seem to remember reading somewhere that you can't fit both of them on the tractor at the same time. Does anyone have any experience of this please? I'm due to cut the hay soon and don't really want to take the loader off as it's a pain in the rear to do due to the weight, hence the thought of fitting the power steering kit.

Thanks for any help or advice.

Paul

[super6954]

Hi
I seem to think the problem with the agriline kit comes more when you have one of the loaders from the U.S.A that came as part of a back hoe package. I think someone posted a picture here a while ago of a regular loader and an add on kit .
you might have to modify the pump mount very slightly. as it fits at the bottom on the frame rail instead of on the top under the bonnet like the original. Don't hold me to any of the above it needs checking to be 100% sure , I read way to many forums and pages to remember exactly .

Are all your king pin bushings, stub axle thrust bearings, and the bushings and pins all good on the tie rod. I have seen the ware in the tie rod throw the tracking out, that can make the steering heavy as the wheels toe out or in. The one I drove like it steered perfect in reverse but was hard in forward as the toe setting went wrong going forward .

The spindle thrust bearings can wear fall apart/ or seize and don't take grease as the grease pumps out the top but doesn't go to the bearing with the weight on the axle .
Tyres can also affect the steering drag. wide used car tyres on 16" rims are bad you really need good tread, 8 ply + if available ( for load rating) 3 rib (Maybe a 4 rib on a 16 " steel rim) tractor front tyres on your rims to get the best out of it too with a loader . Cast 3 or 4 spokes make it heavier to steer as well due to weight of centers from what guys have said.

I've also seen the spindles seize in the axle bushes if not badly worn ,the petrol Major and loader I bought was seized near solid, and to the point of breaking the steering box .
you really have to check this lot out and get that all right , as it all causes steering problems if worn out/ seized up .

I had a customer that used a power major with loader and his would not steer picking up a full half ton feed sack. I re built the front axle completely .
The guy could not believe the difference it made. Yeah you could not spin it with one hand, but it did atleast steer 90% better with out power steering
Regards Robert

[Millwall Paul]

Hi

Thanks for your reply, I know everything steers well on the tractor without the loader, allbeit a bit heavy. It has the standard cast iron tractor wheels on - 4 rib if I remember correctly. I have replaced the front wheel bearings as I know the old ones where shot. I know that the whole front axle is worn and requires a complete overhall, but as the tractor officially belongs to my Grandad and I just have to keep it running, it makes cost the main factor in repairs rather than what actually needs doing. If I remember correctly it needed new king pins both sides, the bearing sets that go in the axle, and new steering arms that connect to the king pins. I completely rebuilt the steering box when I broke it last time so I know all those parts are good. Without the loader on the front however it is quite an easy beast to steer. My Grandad seems quite keen for me to fit the power steering kit to the tractor, but as I have said, he's not that keen to fix everything that really would help in the first place unfortunately.

[Pavel]

My FMD has a FEL and no power steer which, like yours, makes the steering, with half a tonne loaded, a good builder of arm muscles. I've found that having single rib front tyres with 30psi pressure helps. 'Course, on ploughed or cultivated land it'll still dig in, but on grass or gravel it makes it manageable.
Lifting the front end off the ground with the FEL helps grease to penetrate all the bushings in the kingpins. One of the tricks used in the past to ease penetration of bunged-up grease pathways was to inject heavy gear oil. After a while it penetrates.

Pavel