Farmall M Live Hydraulics

FarmerBrownThunder · Apr 23, 2009

I have a few questions that may have been answered before, but I am having trouble finding them.

I am considering putting live hydraulics on my 41 M with a pump off an IH 400.

Is there a difference in bolt pattern? And how do most get around this?

What is the capacity of the belly reservoir?

Do the remote valves off the 400 have the relief valves in them?

If a secondary reservoir is necessary, is the best place under the seat?

mkirsch · Apr 23, 2009

You will also need the front engine cover off the 400, as well as the timing gears. The front cover bolt pattern was changed somewhere around 1950, and the timing gears were beefed up in anticipation of the live hydraulic pump.

Belly reservoir holds 6 quarts per the manual. I think you can squeeze another pint in there if you fill it to capacity. You can also remove the hydraulic pump and gain a little more capacity.

The remote valves off a 400 (from under the hood) are useless on an M. You would have to transplant the entire steering pedestal off the 400 in order for them to work. Then you wouldn't have room for the gas tank on the M.

If the 400 has extra non-stock hydraulic valves, then those may have a relief valve installed in them. You'll have to do some research to find out.

Janicholson · Apr 23, 2009

To assure the usability and integrity of your system, it will be necessary to change several components. The early M cam drive (timing) gears are perfect for driving a cam, but not suitable for the loads placed on them with a live pump.
Also, the bolt patern is 1/2 a bolt hole off. The best option is to replace the front timing cover with the one from a late late 51 M or newer, including SM and SMTA, or 400 450. There may be differences in front engine mounts with number series. this will be the correct bolt pattern. I think the 450 cam drive is the strongest set of gears. The threads in the number series may be left handed on the cam gear retaining bolt. Use locktight on the hub and bolt. SOme have gotten by using the original gears. (usually with 850psi pump relief) the 400 system can make 1250 or more, and will break the gears. The relief system is in the resrevoir, so a relief system will be needed if other valves are used. JimN--Visiting Rochester NY

Andy Martin · Apr 23, 2009

Buy a live hydraulic tractor and preserve the old M.

glennster · Apr 23, 2009

definately go with the new cam gear, they sell the super m gear on this site for about 139.00. with the 400 live pump, you need to cut off the small gear that drives the hourmeter. if you dont want to change the front engine cover you can plug and redrill the top two holes, as was done with the m+w live pump conversion kits. you run a bolt in the top two holes, cut them off flush and file them flat. then remount the pump using the bottom two bolts, the redrill and tap the top two holes. the drill will cut thru about half of the top two bolts. when i did my 48 m, i drilled and put heli coils in. works pretty good. my m has the hydraulic resevoir in the body of the loader, but you can use the belly pump. the m+w kit had a plate in it, you would remove the belly pump out of the unit, and bolt up the plate, giving you some extra capacity. here are a couple pics of the belly pump cover
<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DSCF1516.jpg" target="_blank">

DSCF1516.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>
<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DSCF1515.jpg" target="_blank">

DSCF1515.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>
Untitled URL Link

FarmerBrownThunder · Apr 23, 2009

Ok.

So Im going to need a pressure relief valve. I remember reading the stock on a 400 is 1250psi. Is this true?

mkirsch · Apr 23, 2009

1250psi sounds right.

But, you don't need a separate relief valve if you get a remote with a built-in relief valve.

Farmall M Live Hydraulics

FarmerBrownThunder

New User

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Andy Martin

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

FarmerBrownThunder

New User

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Similar threads