[massey driver]

About 3 years ago I needed to do some work in tight area's so I bought a cub cadet loader from a equipment sales yard and installed it onto my 1655.It works really well.Off course it was the cub yellow but it clashed with the tractor so sanded it all down and painted it to match the MF.At first I had plumbed the hydralic's from the 1655's pump but soon found out that it didn't have the pressure to operate the loader properly.In the winter when there was more time I ended up installing a hydralic pump and making a hyd oil tank that holds 7 lts of oil.I made the tank fit under the floor board on the threadle pedal side.As you can see the tank was made so it doesn't interfere with the mower deck or the pedal.The loader mounts had to be stepped back as well so that I could mount them to the tractors frame without disturbing the tractors foot rests.The front mount had to be designed so that I could still open the hood with the loader either on or off.It took a little while but it worked out.I ended up making a ROPS for it at the same time ,it's bolted through the top of the fenders down and into plate that's made underneath the fenders thats mounted to the tractors frame.The tractor had power steering put onto it 10 yrs ago shortly after I bought it so that was already inplace when I installed the loader.Oh yeah 10 yrs ago it was also repowered with a honda 20 hp v-twin.The motor that was in the tractor when It was bought at a dealers liquidation sale was a onan that was beyond repair.Larry

 

[olcowhand]

That is one mean looking package! And that Massey is in incredibly great condition too! Love that big HD tiller!

 

[massey driver]

The tiller is a MF 4850 it came with the tractor when I bought it.I had to change the u-joints and yokes they were completely worn out.There wasn't any needle brgs left,of course it wasn't just a go and buy the joint repair only.Had to get different yokes as well.Had to cut them off and weld the new yokes on in place of the old.We all know that the factory joint were just tiny little ones' I ended up using weasler yokes series 600 I belive.Had to do some machining and welding and measuring to get them all set up properly.Larry

 

[tweidman]

The tiller is a MF 4850 it came with the tractor when I bought it.I had to change the u-joints and yokes they were completely worn out.There wasn't any needle brgs left,of course it wasn't just a go and buy the joint repair only.Had to get different yokes as well.Had to cut them off and weld the new yokes on in place of the old.We all know that the factory joint were just tiny little ones' I ended up using weasler yokes series 600 I belive.Had to do some machining and welding and measuring to get them all set up properly.Larry

That is one awesome machine. :thumbs: I hope mine look that good when I am done. I would love to see more pictures of the power steering conversion. :thumbs:

 

[olcowhand]

I'm not sure the OE universals even had needle bearings. They may be just bushings. Never had one apart.

 

[massey driver]

That is one awesome machine. :thumbs: I hope mine look that good when I am done. I would love to see more pictures of the power steering conversion. :thumbs:

I went out and took the gas tank out and the side cover off and took some pictures for you.The steering box is from a 1977 chev van.I had to do some adjustments of the frame to get the steering box to fit in the same spot where the original one was.I used a power steering pump from a Dodge D100.I also changed the front axle pivot point for the tie rods and drag links.I drilled straight down thru the center of the axle and welded in a pipe that was machined for bushings.So then I needed to change how the tie rods ends where connected to the pivot point as well.Same a with the top part of the axle pivot I had to make it so it would accept the tie rod comming from the steering box.I used automotive tie rod ends on both ends of the drag link comming from the steering box.This was done 10 yrs ago and hasn't failed yet.Oh yeah the pivot thru the axle is greaseable.Larry

 

[massey driver]

I'm not sure the OE universals even had needle bearings. They may be just bushings. Never had one apart.

I had some old ones still laying around so a picture of what there like.

 

[olcowhand]

Well, they sure do have needles, but by how tight most of them got, I thought maybe bushings. I hate non-greaseable u-joints!

 

[tweidman]

I went out and took the gas tank out and the side cover off and took some pictures for you.The steering box is from a 1977 chev van.I had to do some adjustments of the frame to get the steering box to fit in the same spot where the original one was.I used a power steering pump from a Dodge D100.I also changed the front axle pivot point for the tie rods and drag links.I drilled straight down thru the center of the axle and welded in a pipe that was machined for bushings.So then I needed to change how the tie rods ends where connected to the pivot point as well.Same a with the top part of the axle pivot I had to make it so it would accept the tie rod comming from the steering box.I used automotive tie rod ends on both ends of the drag link comming from the steering box.This was done 10 yrs ago and hasn't failed yet.Oh yeah the pivot thru the axle is greaseable.Larry

Wow, interesting set up. I have never seen a power steering set up like that on a GT before. Does it work well? Thanks for ripping your tractor apart to get me the pictures.
I am going with a hydraulic power steering set on my 1855.

 

[olcowhand]

Wow, interesting set up. I have never seen a power steering set up like that on a GT before. Does it work well? Thanks for ripping your tractor apart to get me the pictures.
I am going with a hydraulic power steering set on my 1855.

The charge pump powers the steering just fine, but DO get a 5 port steering valve/column for the power beyond for the hydraulic lift valves.

 

[tweidman]

The charge pump powers the steering just fine, but DO get a 5 port steering valve/column for the power beyond for the hydraulic lift valves.

I already have the 5 port orbital and the cylinder. I just need to get hoses made up. I also need to figure out what hose goes where on the orbital?

 

[NUTNDUN]

That is an awesome setup, I sure bet it comes in handy. If I still had my jd with the fel on it I could have made some money with this snow we had this year. Thank you for posting the pics.

 

[massey driver]

I already have the 5 port orbital and the cylinder. I just need to get hoses made up. I also need to figure out what hose goes where on the orbital?

Where did you you pick up the 5 port orbital from and whats it out of.Just in case I ever come across one it would be a simpler way of making power steering on say some other unit.?? Larry

 

[tweidman]

Where did you you pick up the 5 port orbital from and whats it out of.Just in case I ever come across one it would be a simpler way of making power steering on say some other unit.?? Larry

I scored it on fleabay. Both the orbital and the steering cylinder came out of a JD420. They usually bring top dollar, but they are easy to work with. I will start a new thread with my 1855 project. If things start to warm up here, I will get working on that project again. After looking at your 1655, you have me motivated to get that thing running.

 

[mjodrey]

That is one rugged looking machine.

 

[massey driver]

And to think that I had it for sale last year and not one bite.Oh well just as well in the end I decided to keep it.My Grandson started using it rather then the Ford LGT 125 so sold the Ford instead.Just this week I put the loader on and let him use it to push snow [I should say move some from one place to another] now he can't wait to get home from school to jump on the tractor to play like papaw.I stay close to him and give pointer's etc;kinda nervous to leave him alone at it.He's been with me on the tractor right from day one so he knows what to do etc;still being over protective I suppose.Larry