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Central Iowa | I have an old, and I do mean OLD, Allis Chalmers forklift. It isn't fancy, but it does what I need, the price is right, and I like a challenge. The power part of the power steering has not worked since I bought it a year and a half ago. I finally got around to "t-ing" a pressure gauge in at the pump, and it appears I don't have any pump pressure. It is one of those early styles that piggy backs onto the generator. I realize that sometimes the spline coupler between it and the generator strip out, but I think in this situation the pump is just plain worn out. Instead of rebuilding it or finding a replacement, I am considering connecting it to the regular hydraulic system on the forklift. Is the hydraulic fluid compatible with steering cylinders and valves, and is the pressure range acceptable? Does anyone have any reasons that this shouldn't be attempted? I might be in for a challenge adapting fittings and hoses, but I think it could be done. 
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Western Iowa | Been forever and a day since I worked on one of those that old, but I would guess the power steering setup you have will not put up with the pressure that the main system puts out.
Main system is also likely open center, which leads to having to add a priority valve, separate relief system (gets real complicated here), and the diverter valve itself........ |
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Central Iowa | That sounds like it could get expensive and then still not work out. It also sounds like it is above my pay grade by a long shot. Perhaps I should look into adapting a different power steering pump to this engine. With the right style of brackets and pulleys I might have room to change to an alternator and get away from the generator system. Thank you for your insight and taking the time to share. Back to the drawing board, I guess! |
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Sac & Story county IA | I think you can find a flow control valve that will scavenge a few gallons per minute from pump flow for hydraulic AND have a relief valve for steering system maximum pressure. I don't know if it will be acceptable to you to have your mast hydraulic functions slowed down by that much.
I may look for one later. Gotta use the sunshine |
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NW Washington | Try calling this outfit that specializes in power steering equipment. http://www.midweststeering.com/ |
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Francis Creek, Wi. | I have several older tractors with flow dividers that I installed years ago for power steering. All are open center. There were several manufacturers years ago that offered "power steering flow dividers" . They all tapped off 3 gpm from the main flow for steering. All had adjustable relief valves for steering pressure control. Very straight-forward set-ups and easy to install. Check with Tractor supply, or All States Ag Parts. They should be able to help you. Good Luck |
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Western Iowa | Perhaps just a GM belt driven power steering pump or something of the like? Something common.
Wouldn't take much to make some brackets..... |
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Fresno, California | I believe that the Clark IT40 used that same pump set up, should still be available.
http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40852 |
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Central Iowa | Thanks for all of the ideas. I think, but I don't know for sure yet, but many of the parts look like what I am finding for late 50s and early 60s Chevrolet cars. I think I can find parts to patch my setup back together by going that route. I took my p/s pump apart and could not find any problems. It is a vane style pump, which leads me to believe this is a fairly low pressure system. My gauge probably was too high of a scale. The splines in the p/s pump drive were in excellent shape, and the vanes were all there and undamaged. I can't believe the pump has a problem. I think my troubles are elsewhere, most likely the seal on steering cylinder ram itself. Thank you for the links and insight. I think I have a plan for my next move now. |
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Winkler, Manitoba Canada | You mentioned in your original post that you tee'd into the pump output line with a gauge and did not get any pressure. That would be more or less expected on an open centre hydraulic system. Did you try steering at the same time to see if pressure would spike up when there is actual load on the system. |
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Central Iowa | WTW - 1/6/2016 11:51 You mentioned in your original post that you tee'd into the pump output line with a gauge and did not get any pressure. That would be more or less expected on an open centre hydraulic system. Did you try steering at the same time to see if pressure would spike up when there is actual load on the system. Yes I did. I never saw the needle twitch on my gauge-but it was a 5000 psi gauge. I wish now that I had tried one of the lower psi gauges. I suppose I could briefly block the fow with a ball valve. I think I would want to be extremely careful fooling with it that way, though. I will need to scrounge around for more fittings, too! |
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power steering on forklift
