Power beyond for power steering?

Tractorbaja · Jan 3, 2022

I have a 1980 Ford 1700 4wd with manual steering and has a Ford 770 FEL. Is it possible to use the power beyond to operate an add on hydraulic steering setup? Thanks!

oldnslo · Jan 3, 2022

Typically power steering takes priority over all other functions for safety reasons. Using the power beyond and you lose steering every time you use the full flow for operating the FEL

most tractors either have a Priority flow control valve before the FEL valve or have a second pump dedicated to steering.

Tractorbaja · Jan 8, 2022

Thanks for all the info. I find that I have a place to add a power steering pump to the engine (no room to double the hydraulic pump at the front of the engine). When all the other priorities get resolved I will work on that.

rScotty · Jan 8, 2022

Tractorbaja said:
I have a 1980 Ford 1700 4wd with manual steering and has a Ford 770 FEL. Is it possible to use the power beyond to operate an add on hydraulic steering setup? Thanks!

Sure you can. It's not the way it is usually done, but it will get you usable power steering except when you are actually moving the loader arms or bucket. That's OK, since power steering is most useful when you have a load in the bucket and are just going somewhere with it.

Later you can add a valve or additional pump to prioritize the power steering properly if you want.

First, check if the power beyond port is presently blocked off. Because on most control valves you cannot just remove the PB cap and magically get flow from that port. You usually have to replace the sleeve bushing piece inside that port. Best check that.
rScotty

Tractorbaja · Jan 9, 2022

That would be my take on it. At this time with the bucket fully loaded, I had better be pretty well aimed at where I`m going to dump it since it is nearly impossible to turn the steering wheel. I`m sure that you are correct in that the power beyond port needs the sleeve bushing added. I am going to be putting the new control on this week and will have time to dink with the power steering arrangement down the road. Thanks for your input.