Questions about IH 504 Utility

John_B · May 11, 2012

Trying to move a 504 that I inherited from my uncle. It hasn"t run in a number of years. I managed to get the bucket propped up by jacking it up and sliding some 4x4"s under the loader arms above the frame. Thought I could load it on the trailer with the winch until I discovered that the steering does not work at all. Is that normal with this type of power steering? Is it posible that the steering will work but it is low on oil or does the engine have to be running to have steering? Does this tractor have negative or positive ground? Drained the old rotten fuel out today and maybe on sunday I can clean the points and drop a battery in it and see where I"m at.

Red Mercury · May 11, 2012

My family has had a 504 Utility since new. The steering is really stiff if the engine is not running--come to think of it I don't think you can steer it when it is not running (I am 200 miles from the tractor right now). The steering is operated by a hydraulic cylinder set up--no other mechanical connection to the steering mechanism. I am sure someone on here has the correct name for it. As for the battery, it is a negative grounded system.

504 · May 11, 2012

The steering is totally hyd. A long pry bar on the front wheels will steer it on the trailer. Battery is neg ground twelve volt. When you get it running look under the steering cylinder to make sure there are TWO bolts holding it together. They have a habit of breaking bolts and then the casting will break.

John_B · May 11, 2012

Thanks for the reply Red. This one must have some issues then. When I turn the wheel it turns freely with very little resistance and as if it's not connected to anything. When my uncle was alive he never mantioned anything about the steering so I'm guessing that the problem is a result of sitting for several years.

John_B · May 11, 2012

Thanks 504, that is a big help! I will give that a try.

danmcdonald · May 12, 2012

My 504 sat for 3 years when I got it and it would not steer. When I got it running the steering worked fine. I don't use this tractor that often(some times months) but now if you move the steering wheel with engine off it will steer hard but it will steer. They must just lose prime when sitting for a long time?

504 · May 12, 2012

I agree it has just lost prime, I have a lawn mower that will do the same thing. Get it running again and it will be all right, nice tractors and a lot of extras for the money, two remotes, P/S , three point or fast hitch, draw bar, for not much more than the cost of an 8-N.

pete 23 · May 12, 2012

The steering is supposed to work manually but it takes a lot of fast and furious turning to get it primed up and then will be very stiff, but they usually will work. Done it many times on dead tractors.

Questions about IH 504 Utility

John_B

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Red Mercury

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504

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John_B

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John_B

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danmcdonald

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504

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pete 23

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