154 power steering with an FEL its a must
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:07 pm
After borrowing my neighbors cadet 147 with the FEL i noticed when scooping the uneven ground and small rocks actually steer the front wheels. It can rip the steering wheel right out of our hands too. So power steering is a must. This isn't your everyday easy build. Its a total redesign from the front to the rear.
I'm working on my 154 fel/backhoe project a little at a time. I'm on the power steering right now. I purchased the double ended steering cylinder that i will mount on the front axle beam after i box it with a 3/16'' steel plate on both sides. Or just go with a new front axle, i'm not sure yet. I will fab new front spindles using ball bearing thrust rollers so the vertical friction when turning will be much less. I'm using a small control valve from a wheel horse garden tractor to connect my steering box to it so the steering cylinder will get direction and pressure from it. I'm thinking of using the lever system to connect the steering box to the control valve. This way the steering wheel will have more turns just like normal steering. More turning and less movement on the control valve. Its having a ratio between the control valve piston and the lever thats hinged off the frame and attached to the steering box. I could use a cam follower with a cam on the steering box but i think the lever system would be much better. Attaching it i can use the shoulder bolts with greasable stainless ball socket tie rod ends(lever system). My tie rods from the steering cylinder to the front spindles will be short and made like boomer rangs so the sharp turns can still be made. The orginal hyd pump or a GM steering pump will be added for the hydraulic power. I was thinking of installing a double pulley on the front crankshaft.
The http://www.surpluscenter.com and http://www.discounthydraulichose.com has had most of what i need hydraulic wise so far. Discount hydraulic hose has the 37 degree parker tubing fittings for the 1/2'' tubing i'm going to use. I'm using http://www.mcmaster.com for my 1/2'' tubing and my industrial special fasteners.
I'm going to use either the 650-10 or 750-10 3 rib front tires there wider for more floatation, and on the rear it maybe 11.2x24 or 12,4x24 ag's for more ground clearance for the lower subframe.
Right now the front subframe and FEL arms are fabricated, the power steering is thought out along with the lower rear subframe. Right now i need to get it on the correct tires so i can see the ground height.
I'm working on my 154 fel/backhoe project a little at a time. I'm on the power steering right now. I purchased the double ended steering cylinder that i will mount on the front axle beam after i box it with a 3/16'' steel plate on both sides. Or just go with a new front axle, i'm not sure yet. I will fab new front spindles using ball bearing thrust rollers so the vertical friction when turning will be much less. I'm using a small control valve from a wheel horse garden tractor to connect my steering box to it so the steering cylinder will get direction and pressure from it. I'm thinking of using the lever system to connect the steering box to the control valve. This way the steering wheel will have more turns just like normal steering. More turning and less movement on the control valve. Its having a ratio between the control valve piston and the lever thats hinged off the frame and attached to the steering box. I could use a cam follower with a cam on the steering box but i think the lever system would be much better. Attaching it i can use the shoulder bolts with greasable stainless ball socket tie rod ends(lever system). My tie rods from the steering cylinder to the front spindles will be short and made like boomer rangs so the sharp turns can still be made. The orginal hyd pump or a GM steering pump will be added for the hydraulic power. I was thinking of installing a double pulley on the front crankshaft.
The http://www.surpluscenter.com and http://www.discounthydraulichose.com has had most of what i need hydraulic wise so far. Discount hydraulic hose has the 37 degree parker tubing fittings for the 1/2'' tubing i'm going to use. I'm using http://www.mcmaster.com for my 1/2'' tubing and my industrial special fasteners.
I'm going to use either the 650-10 or 750-10 3 rib front tires there wider for more floatation, and on the rear it maybe 11.2x24 or 12,4x24 ag's for more ground clearance for the lower subframe.
Right now the front subframe and FEL arms are fabricated, the power steering is thought out along with the lower rear subframe. Right now i need to get it on the correct tires so i can see the ground height.