electric power steering
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=136186
Printed Date: 12 Oct 2025 at 10:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: electric power steering
Posted By: marion
Subject: electric power steering
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 7:08am
| have been doing some research and studying into retrofitting electric powersteering unit out of a car onto a tractor. sure looks cheap and easy compared to the alternative. I was not aware cars had been using it for 10 years. Looked like ideal setup for a wd or 45, or perhaps garden tractor. has anybody done this yet? |
Replies:
Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 10:09am
|
Electric power steering seems to work well in my 2015 Fiesta SFE hatch back with its 42 cubic inch engine ecoboost. I suspect it requires a bit larger alternator than it would have without the electric power steering though the battery can supply peak electric loads if the alternator can keep up on the average. Many a vintage tractor has a marginal battery charging system planning mostly for replacing energy used for starting over a couple hours or longer of operation. That won't keep up with electric power steering, I think. Gerald J. |
Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 10:35am
|
They even have electric power steering on ATV's now because they keep making them bigger and bigger. ------------- 1957 WD45 dad's first AC 1968 one-seventy 1956 F40 Ferguson |
Posted By: davh
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 12:14pm
| Sounds interesting. Would like to try that myself on a B or C tractor. Have one that has a loader and help with the steering would be a great help. |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 12:24pm
|
With most folks converting over to 12V's and an Alternator, most of the Alts used in the swap are 35 amp or better, so retrofitting an electric P/S setup on the Tractor probably wouldn't be to tough a task for the charging system. Most of the time during the day the Headlights aren't used, and if the Tractor is equipped with a Battery ignition, that really doesn't take a lot of current to sustain anyway, so the electric P/S would probably work quite well on the early Tractors especially equipped with a loader up front. The Alts on these swaps for what they have to power don't even need the fan because they're not working hard at all. On a later model Tractor with cab and extra stuff like an Automobile, then a larger Alt would fit the bill. I would say from a D14-up the larger Alt would work quite well. I have electric P/S in my 06' Malibu. Works quite well so far... Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: davh
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 12:29pm
| Just a quick google search shows that maximum pull would be 58 amps. And that would not be for that long a period I wouldn't think. |
Posted By: desertjoe
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 12:44pm
|
Hey Marion,,,I sure hope you have better luck than I did on lookin into a possible 12 VDC conversion power steering for your tractor. I have a weak PS pump on my D14 W/ loader and is an absolute bear to turn with just half a load of dirt in bucket. From what I read,,those PS units are mostly placed in the lighter cars. Ford experimented with them on the F150 and had lots of issues with them on first models as they take a whole lot of amps to generate the torque for a 1/2 ton trk,,let alone an industrial tractor,,,Several people with ford trks were adament it would NOT work,,,??? I'm in your corner, if you figure it out,,and seems like a great project for some dedicated AC guy to pursue,,,,,?? I been closely followin "CogginOBrien's D15 SeriesIII) thread on designing an additional hydraulic pump on his D15, and looks real promising to use the newer style pump, along with maybe a Char-Lynne steering assist would possibly get the issue addressed,,,???? Dave Kamp also has a great application for tractor steering,,,all it takes is some hard work some shop time and some dollars,,,,,  |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 1:21pm
|
I've had it on both of my two recent cars. Apparently it costs a fortune to fix. I'd like to know the initial cost. |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 5:58pm
|
An electric P/S system from a car probably wouldn't be a good choice for a loader tractor. On a hot day doing lots of turning in a parking lot is enough to put many systems in reduced assist to protect the motor. For something like plowing or haying I'll bet it would work well. ------------- "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford |