Farmall 400 Power Steering

Matt Weltz · Feb 2, 2010

Hey guys! Am looking to install power steering on my 400 and have no experience with power steering on any Farmall tractor. Am having trouble deciding on a charlynn or factory behlen system. From what I find in the archives the behlen systems are troublesome (locking up or only powering one way) and hard to get parts for. Which would you recommend? My 400 does not get alot of use but has a wide front, loader, and three-point so want to make it a little more user friendly steering wise.

Also, if I did go with the factory behlen system, I would need a steering motor, front steering shaft, couplers, brackets, hardware, hoses, fittings, 2 hydraulic valves, and the jumper line correct? Thanks for your knowledge and help!

GordoSD · Feb 2, 2010

This is one of those things I don't think you can do from scrtch, the first time. At a minimum you need the char lyn kit instructions and a "complete kit. Problem is there is no complete kit. Find someone who has a 400 with PS and take a lot of pictures. You need a special bracket for the torque generator. Special bracket for the Saginaw pump. The pump. Special coupler that has both side to side and fore and aft play. Exact dimension to cut the forward shaft.
Then you probably will need to put new seals and o rings in the pump and TG.
Or find a friend who has done at least one.
I've seen several "complete" systems, that were removed from salvage tractors sell on ebay for 800 dollars. And they were missing more than a few critical items. I do have a good Saginaw pump if you go that way

Gordo

Wardner · Feb 2, 2010

I suppose you have seen these but there is an auxilliary crankshaft pulley and used CharLynn TG in separate auctions on eBay. Steiner's has the beveled TG mount and Gordo has the pump. Hoses and coupling (Steiner's again) should complete the job. I pesume you have the fittings.

Not sure but I think the fan shroud has to be cut if the pump is mounted off the governor cover. IH did use a similar pump for 300-650 tractors w/PS and no Hydra-Touch system.

Matt Weltz · Feb 2, 2010

I am not going to try and piece together a system. Have found a few different complete (at least they are said to be complete) systems (for alot less than $800), just not sure if i should go with the behlen or charlynn setups. Guess while im on here I should see if I"m missing something in the systems.

Charlynn: pump, reservoir, motor, crank pulley, fan spacer, brackets, steering shafts and couplers.

Behlen: motor, front steering shaft, couplers, brackets, hoses/fittings, 2 hydraulic valves, and jumper line.

D Slater · Feb 2, 2010

On the system IH used, the control valve and a orfice plug between it and steering support is needed. Regulator and priority valve that the U shaped jumper pipe goes to, also pressure to steering unit comes off the block is needed. Wouldn't matter much on the unit type if you knowed they were in good shape. Lots of the old priority valves don't work like they should. Its a good bit of work to install the behlen parts on a tractor and then find out it doesn't work right. Charr lynn type is simpler to install and remove. Or if you have a good behlen steering unit they work pretty good with a engine mounted pump to power them. One thing I don't like about the charr lynn set ups is the holes to couple steering shafts togeather. Good keyed parts would be better.

Farmall 400 Power Steering

Matt Weltz

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GordoSD

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Wardner

Well-known Member

Matt Weltz

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D Slater

Well-known Member

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