New to the forum, as well as orange tractors lol. I have a bunch of wheelhorse's, but needed something bigger and 4wd. I bought a 7100 HST 4wd couple weeks ago with a FEL. Looks to be in decent shape, biggest issue is no power steering. I've read some posts bout it, but getting confusing answers. I talked to a dealer, and pretty much saying it will be a PITA. I have a complete power steering setup off a JD318, I have the whole tractor pretty much, but the steering setup is complete. I'd like to tap into the tractors hydraulic system, don't feel like hacking up too much to get it to work. {Also heard that it can blow the valve if not done right. I saw a post in the classifieds bout a power block, would this work?
B7100 Power steering
- Thread starter b454rat
- Start date
If you have the entire steering setup you should be fine. I did the exact same thing to a B8200 (next size bigger) several years ago. I bought the entire steering set up, including the steering wheel, from a Toro (I think) mower scrap yard off of Ebay.
I had the hydraulic steering valve, hoses, cylinder, shaft to steering wheel, and the steering wheel. I didn't want to butcher anything up because I bought the tractor new and keep it looking that way. It's been 30 years ago and I sold that tractor about 5 years ago.
I made a bracket for the back end of the cylinder to mount to the tractor frame. Seems like I needed a ball joint to fit the tractor so I took the tie rod off and took it to NAPA and had them find one that matched the taper.
To fit the steering valve I had to cut a bit of metal where it would set. I remember using a plasma cutter and it took literally 2 minutes to notch out about 1/4" so the valve would fit. I used the shaft that came from the Toro, cut it off a few inched for the valve body and welded the Kubota steering shaft to it. It came up through the existing opening at the dash.
I may find some pictures, but that was before everyone had a camera in their pocket! This set up worked perfectly!!
Welcome to the forum
I had the hydraulic steering valve, hoses, cylinder, shaft to steering wheel, and the steering wheel. I didn't want to butcher anything up because I bought the tractor new and keep it looking that way. It's been 30 years ago and I sold that tractor about 5 years ago.
I made a bracket for the back end of the cylinder to mount to the tractor frame. Seems like I needed a ball joint to fit the tractor so I took the tie rod off and took it to NAPA and had them find one that matched the taper.
To fit the steering valve I had to cut a bit of metal where it would set. I remember using a plasma cutter and it took literally 2 minutes to notch out about 1/4" so the valve would fit. I used the shaft that came from the Toro, cut it off a few inched for the valve body and welded the Kubota steering shaft to it. It came up through the existing opening at the dash.
I may find some pictures, but that was before everyone had a camera in their pocket! This set up worked perfectly!!
Welcome to the forum
I don't mind hacking a little bit, just don't want to destroy the tractor lol. Mounting the valve n steering n whatnot I can figure out, just the hydraulics I'm kinda confused on. If I had that block, could I use that for the steering? I'm understanding it will but wanna be sure.
torch
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Yes, the hydraulic block could be used to supply power steering -- assuming you don't already have one supplying the FEL. Is the FEL powered by an independent pump and reservoir or off the tractor's system?
Yes it's on the front. It has a screen so I forget it's there lol. I have the block, but only has 2 lines coming out of it. I think 1 goes the front (pump) and the other to the loader valve, I think. The block is on the left side of the tractor and the valve is on the right side. Not sure where the line goes coming out of the block, just know it goes to the rear of the tractor, I thought I traced where it went, maybe not lol.
Im an idiot. The block is on the right side not left, and there's 4 lines not 2. Guessing 1 from pump, one to valve, 1 coming from valve back into block and guessing a return that goes to the rear of the tractor, again guessing it's for the rear lift...
TheOldHokie
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
TheOldHokie
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Probably not.
PS typically uses a priority flow divider to split pump output into two independent streams. The priority stream feeds the PS and takes a fixed amount out. The remainder if any, is used for implements and 3pt.
The B7100 implement pump produces 2.95 GPM and PS typically requires 2 GPM or more. The math simply does not work.
Your best bet is adding a dedicated pump and reservoir for the PS. Think automotive style PS pump. Thats how a lot of old farm tractors did it.
Dan
OK makes sense. Theres not a whole lot of room under the hood, and tho it ain't a perfect machine I don't wanna hack up the sheet metal. I do have extra sides, so I guess I could....
torch
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Pretty much. For a detailed description see this post. And I concur with Dan -- The stock B7100 pump can handle one or the other but not both.
That said, perhaps you don't really need power steering. My next question is what have you got for ballast hanging off the rear of the tractor to counter-balance that FEL? Adequate ballast is very important to maintain stability. Without it, a bucket full of material will a) overload the front axle's weight capacity; b) shift weight off the fixed rear axle and onto the tippy front axle pivot; and c) make the steering wheel very hard to turn. So if you are experiencing c, maybe you are unknowingly also experiencing a and b.
The Kubota B219 FEL itself weighs 390lbs including subframe, others will be similar. The rated load of material to full height is another 500lbs. Much of that weight is centered on a point 2' in front of the front axle. It has been my experience that the steering and stability of the B7100 benefits greatly by a load of 400 lbs hanging off the rear 3PH.
At this time of year, that means my 420lb snowblower; in warmer weather, the 350 lb roto-tiller with some suitcase weights fills the bill nicely. I also have an 800 lb backhoe, but that makes the tractor really light on the front when the bucket is empty!
I don't have any weight out back yet. I need new tires, waiting till then to fill the tires. I need to figure out 3ph, arms that came with it are bent. I have a universal kit for a BX I think, gonna see how much difference there is. I have a Woods mower I could use till then for some weight. I guess I'll start the search for a compact pump....
I agree with Torch and Dan, a heavy rear implement like a rototiller keeps the steering light. Even a box blade helps lots. Without ballast the odds of rolling go up as well. No power steering keeps you aware of the load on the front axle.
Im not gonna be picking up anything crazy heavy. Mostly dirt, and in the spring or summer #2 gravel for the dogs area. But will be doing alot of back-n-forth, side by side movements close together, if that makes any sense. Not gonna be scooping a bucket of dirt, drive across the yard n dump it. Actually thinking of it gonna be more like a dozer at times that loading the bucket. But this is all happenening in the spring, no heat in the garage and just blew a line on the loader lol. Might as well replace em all...
Over the years on our tractors I just replace the one that failed...Find someone make the line. Dealer's are high priced! On my Ford I replaced FEL (1) hose 20 years ago still have OEM hose on it. My Kubota FEL are all OEM, backhoe just R&R 1 hose and a swing cylinder this year. You'll be replacing front tires a lot?
I also agree with Torch and Dan don't waste your time on P.S., Get some weight on the back end!
They look like original hoses, so might as replace em. It has new tires on the front but are turf tires, I need ag tires. I have the parts for the p/s, just need a pump. Local junkyard is full of various sizes, just a matter of finding a small one.