Ford 4400 restore

[davo727]

The valve mount is pretty self explanatory from looking at the pics but If you like on the cylinder mount on the axle and the rod end mount on the tie rod I could make templates of them and mail to you if you want.

 

[davo727]

I was hauling logs on my property like this little piece of oak with the old worn out steering that the power assist didn't work at all, finally when it had about 3/4 of a turn of slop at the steering wheel I parked it and did the hydraulic conversion.

By the way these front wheels are off a case skid steer and they are 16.5 in wheels and have the correct 6 lug pattern and the perfect center hub hole for the industrial front spindles. The tires are rated for 7000lbs each and float over my sandy soil so nice Im sure they wont fit on an Ag front axle due to the deep backspacing which I think is about 5 or 5 1/2 inch.

 

[City Farmer]

Dave, that's very generous of you to offer the templets. With all the pictures you took in your build thread and your parts list, you've made this easy. When I get my parts I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures too. I was looking at the overall install and I think its going to be smooth. My only concern is my PS pump is different than yours, Its a C5NN-3N675-B. I hope it has enough pressure to make it work. Worst case, I'll tap in to the 3ph hydraulics. I cut some tendons and I've been out of work for the last 6 weeks so things are a little tight right now. I've been going after the cheap things. Hopefully, I'll be back to work by the end of November and get my parts before to long.

 

[davo727]

Anyone who wants templates just send me a private message with your address.

 

[City Farmer]

I finally had some time to work on the o'l girl for a few hours now that all the holidays are behind us. I received the ram cylinder and steering valve. I got the radiator off and all the old steering components. The sump housing cover is back on with new filters. A buddy came over and we cut all the guts out of the front end. I didn't want to tackle that by myself without having someone man the fire extinguisher. I'm having a heck of a time getting the tie rod ends out of the bracket. I have them soaking in PB blaster right now. If that doesn't work by tomorrow I'll put some heat to it. I can't believe this tractor even ran, there are so many burned up wires its crazy. I'm ordering a complete harness for it tonight. There's a lot that has to be fab'd but I'm hoping to have it wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

By the way these front wheels are off a case skid steer and they are 16.5 in wheels and have the correct 6 lug pattern and the perfect center hub hole for the industrial front spindles. The tires are rated for 7000lbs each and float over my sandy soil so nice Im sure they wont fit on an Ag front axle due to the deep backspacing which I think is about 5 or 5 1/2 inch.

Thanks Davo for the tip on the tires/rims. Almost nice to have another option. They should work on my HD 4000's.

Kirk

 

[davo727]

Im glad to see some work going on. I came back to see if anyone had started on a steering mod. The project took me a few weeks longer than I wanted it too but sure was worth it.

 

[davo727]

There is one or two companies on e bay that sell new wheels and tires for skid steers and you can request the wheels be made in whatever backspacing you want so actually they can probably be made to work on most of these fords with the 6 lug front hubs.

Thanks Davo for the tip on the tires/rims. Almost nice to have another option. They should work on my HD 4000's.

Kirk

 

[City Farmer]

I'm finally making some progress(very slow). There's some runs, dings and dents still in it. Shes not gonna be show room perfect but I like it a lot better than the brushed on yellow. I'm trying to tool up my garage while working on this tractor. I came across a nice welding table (1-1/4" top), 27" shaper, OD, ID, and a surface grinders i couldnt pass up on a month ago. Ingot them for almost scrap weight. So the tractor has taken a back seat while i set up shop. Its been bitter cold here in Mi for the last couple of mths with no end in sight. I finally ordered a furnace for the garage tonight and holefully i'll have that going soon. Using Propane is costing me a fortune.

 

[davo727]

Cool. Parts look nice.

 

[City Farmer]

I haven't updated the thread in a while. Been working 7days/week for the last few months, making while its there kinda thing. Here's a few pictures. I put heat in the garage(best thing ever)hooked up the new lathe and managed to get a few things done on the tractor. I've gotten the ties rods connected. I put left hand threads on the ends of a 10" shaft to connect it, cleaned/primed a little bit for paint. The more I tear into this thing, the more there is to be fixed. I'm rebuilding the power steering pump and the main hydraulic pump right now. The main hydro. pump worked but made a little noise. I got into it yesterday and two piston springs were broke. I'm off this weekend so I'm hoping to get a lot done.

 

[City Farmer]

I haven't updated this thread in a long time but I finally got the full hydraulic steering finished. It works like a dream!!! I can turn the wheel with one finger. The more I started working on the tractor the more I found wrong. I rebuilt the lift cover, power steering pump, main tractor hydro pump, replaced all the gaskets, bushings in the clutch/break levers and a new wire harness. I Made a new break cross shaft. I started the tractor today and the steering worked perfect. I primed the hydraulic system with a $3 oil exchange hand pump from HF, it worked great after a few mods. The 3ph works perfect now, it never worked before. I still have about 10hrs to fix some small fuel leaks, paint, get the loader back on and marry her up with the back hoe. I'll get pictures of everything tomorrow.

 

[City Farmer]

Here's a few pictures of the valve and ram mounted. I took the tie rod spindle brackets and moved them to the front of the tractor. Then, I moved right bracket to the left side and left to right. Turned a new 12" tie rod to connect to both sides. I machined the steering base down a about 5", I wanted the steering valve low so I could fit the cowl and gas tank without having to modifying them. I used diamond plate to fill the holes. Still have more to do but its really coming along now.

 

[MikesTractor]

Nice job.

Mike

 

[City Farmer]

Here she is, its not the best paint job in town but its a heck of a lot better than before. I hated the industrial yellow & blue colors so I made her all blue. I have about 1 full day of work left and the tractor portion will finally be finished, excluding the bucket repairs, its trashed. I picked up a 2475lb. bridgeport, she didnt like it, but she did it. When I'm moving/driving with a full load the steering worked great but it goes in to relief when I was tying to turn the wheels while sitting still. If the steering works with a full load of gravel I'll leave it as is. Its not like I'm going to be picking up/moving bridgeports everyday. Worst cast, I'll run the steering cylinder off the tractor hydraulics, its more than 2x the pump pressure and I'm sure I'll be happy with that. I'm marrying her with the BH by labor day and it won't be coming off anytime soon.

 

[Soundguy]

don't feel bad about the color change. I just painted my 941D with all grey tin instead of red highlights.. tin was too beat up to make look perfectt.