Ford 3000 Power Steering Repair

[Bee Farmer]

Recently purchased my first tractor (Ford 3000 W/ FEL) and have used it to plow, disc, rototill and brush hog. Great Tractor!!! Really happy with it so far except that it has no power steering so I'm getting a pretty good workout running it.
The tractor originally had power steering. The pump is still mounted and it came with the PS column and pistons. The previous owner said it needed something machined in the column to function properly again. Not sure if it was the shaft or something in the valve body perhaps. Is this something common to this model or does anyone have any insight as to where I might start to get this unit back in working order? I've attached a pic of the PS unit if that helps

Incidentally, I bought this tractor after extensive research on this site. Thanks to everyone who contributes.

 

[City Farmer]

I'd guess it's to late to add a gauge to the PS pump pressure side to see where your at or to see if it's working at all? When I got my 3000 the PS wasn't working and the PO said it never did. Those pumps can take a beating. I put 50 or so hours on it before I could dig in to it and who knows how many hrs he put. I added some fluid and fixed a leaking cyl/few loose fittings and it's been perfect ever since. That was about 6yrs ago.

 

[Bee Farmer]

Thanks for the reply City Farmer. I don't think it's too late to add the gauge. The pump is mounted and turning smooth but when it was converted to manual they removed the PS column installed a manual one as well as a bypass from one side of the pump to the other. It'd be no problem to plumb in a gauge and see how hard it's pushing but the PO said the problem was in the column. It was something to do with the internals of the valve body or the steering input shaft and something would need to be machined to restore it. Unfortunately, I don't remember what exactly it was. I'll confess, I was a little caught up in the moment.

Maybe I'll have to spend some time in the shop this winter and put the PS unit back in and start eliminating some variables. This is new one for me so I didn't know if there were some common things to look for first but I guess knowing if the pump is even working would be a good start.

 

[Soundguy]

i've nver heard of having something machined in the box to make it work.. that sound slike mumble speak to me for the seller not knowing why it doesn't work.

that box uses a small amount of thrust play so that the valve body mid way up can function. it has balls and springs..

user: Ultradog is practically an expert on that box. I don't mess much with the PS boxes.. I like the straight mechanical boxes.