Behlen Power Steering on 400

NE_Red_Rookie · Mar 27, 2012

I bought a Farmall M a couple of years ago and recently acquired a Behlen power steering setup (torque generator, #201 pump, and reservoir) that I was going to install. Now I have decided to purchase a Farmall 400 without power steering. I am wondering if there is a way to fabricate the Behlen setup for the M to fit the 400? Has anyone ever done anything similar? Will I be able to use the pump that came with the system and somehow piggy-back to the live pump? Any details that anyone could provide would be appreciated.

dej(Jed) · Mar 27, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:41:01 03/27/12) I bought a Farmall M a couple of years ago and recently acquired a Behlen power steering setup (torque generator, #201 pump, and reservoir) that I was going to install. Now I have decided to purchase a Farmall 400 without power steering. I am wondering if there is a way to fabricate the Behlen setup for the M to fit the 400? Has anyone ever done anything similar? Will I be able to use the pump that came with the system and somehow piggy-back to the live pump? Any details that anyone could provide would be appreciated.

I don't think you would need a pump. Just plumb into the live hydraulic system on the 400. Just some hoses, couple of tees and some reducers.

Bob M · Mar 27, 2012

I spotted a Super M recently that had the Behlen P/S pump piggybacked on the factory live pump. It however required swapping the factory IHC (horizontal) distributor for a Delco (vertical) in order to clear the oil filter canister.

Suggestion: Rather than using the Behlen P/S pump you've got, you may be able to stick a flow divider on the 400 live pump outlet and supply the torque generator from that. (I have a couple Super M's with Charlynn P/S set up this way - the system works great!)

Sorry - I can't speak to the Behlen torque generator adaptation to the 400 steering shaft.

pete 23 · Mar 27, 2012

To add the factory style power steering to a 400 that does not have power steering , requires a different regulator valve assembly which includes a flow divider ( which if is a used one it is most likely worn out). Then you need a different number one hydralic valve with a port in to connect pipe to flow divider. Not a two minute or cheap job. I would put your engine driven power steering pump on that you were going to use on the M and the behlen unit should work,(it will mount right over top of engine) unless, it has the long extended input shaft that some m's used where the steering wheel attached to the end of the shaft. You cold cut that shaft off , cut key way in it or drill for roll pin. Before I did that I would sure hook it up temporally to make sure it worked well.

soybeanjoe · Mar 27, 2012

He'll also need a priority flow control valve so that when he uses the hydraulics it doesn't rob the oil from the p.s.

mkirsch · Mar 28, 2012

I've seen the Behlen unit on a 400 before.

If you don't use some sort of priority flow valve, you'll have NO steering whatsoever, because all the oil will flow through the open center valve stack, and won't develop any pressure.

It's a lot easier to use the Behlen pump and reservoir, rather than trying to plumb it up to the live hydraulics. Keep the two hydraulic systems separate.

The Behlen pump and reservoir system should bolt right up to the 400. The engine and frame rails up front are pretty much exactly the same as an M. Only difference is the hood, and there's more room under the hood for the reservoir.

Behlen Power Steering on 400

NE_Red_Rookie

New User

dej(Jed)

Well-known Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

pete 23

Well-known Member

soybeanjoe

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Similar threads