Char-Lynn mounted on steering post

mkirsch · Apr 2, 2012

I bought a 1953 Stage II Louisville Super M a couple of weeks ago. It had a few "sins" but I saw potential and a set of good tires, so it came home with me.

It has awesome power steering, but the motor is mounted on top of the steering post, AND it's a Charlynn.

There are a few cobbled-up things on this tractor but the power steering mounting looks really well done, if not manufactured.

Has anybody seen one like this?

IaGary · Apr 2, 2012

I have a MTA with the Charlynn set up.

Mine is mounted under the hood above the engine on the steering shaft.

And yes I have seen several done like yours also.

I have seen them on other brands of tractors as well.

Gary

Bob M · Apr 2, 2012

Seen lots of Behlen P/S kits installed on the steering post, but never a Charlynn. Perhaps is the installer had a Charlynn torque motor and bracket for another tractor (like an Minnie-Mo G) and adapted it to your Super M?

Incidentally I too have a '53 Louisville SM with Charlynn P/S mounted under the hood. The hood however had to be modified slightly so it would fit over the torque motor.

mkirsch · Apr 2, 2012

Betcha our serial numbers aren't very far apart, Bob. This one came from Canastota NY on the other side of Syracuse. If yours is also native to Western NY, they probably arrived on the same train.

Now the question remains, leave it as-is, or relocate the torque motor under the hood?

I'm pretty sure Dad wants to put it "right."

If anybody has any photo evidence of them being installed on the steering post, I would appreciate it.

IH fan · Apr 2, 2012

In the fall of 1958, Dad bought a 1953 JD 60 and new 227 corn picker. He had the dealer install a CharLynn PS unit on the steering post along with a Saginaw pump before it was delivered. I thought it worked better than the JD factory PS one of our neighbors had, besides being a great hand warmer when picking corn in cold weather.
Some time after I left for the service in '61, Dad sold it to his brother and later I saw it with the torque generator plumbed into the tractor system due to the Saginaw "giving up the ghost".

Bob M · Apr 2, 2012

Canastota huh? I just returned from a several days there visiting a daughter and new grandchild. Nice little town!

My S/M serial is L512277 and is indeed native to western NY. It was delivered to the IHC dealer's siding in Avon, right around Christmas 1953 near as we can determine.

----

My inclination would be to leave the Charlynn motor where it is. I rather like seeing owner modifications like that. Also leaving the motor where "as is" eliminates having to beat out the top of the hood a bit.

mkirsch · Apr 2, 2012

Hmm, not that close... Mine's 509128 or 509182... Definitely 5091something.

D Slater · Apr 2, 2012

Function wise my opinion is to leave them at the steering post. Shafts can be lined up straight, better support with a one piece worm gear shaft going back to the center support, more room to adjust valves or other work on top of engine. No worries about unit or shaft rubbing the hood.

mike1972chev · Apr 2, 2012

I have seen a FEW like that.(NOT many,MOST are UNDER the hood.)

Mine is # L-511364, Does this make us all cousins ??? lol

Char-Lynn mounted on steering post

mkirsch

Well-known Member

IaGary

Well-known Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

IH fan

Well-known Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

D Slater

Well-known Member

mike1972chev

Well-known Member

Similar threads