Tractor steering troubles

[ChickenLittle]

I have a late 80's Massey Ferguson 210-4 tractor with a steering problem that the dealership can't seem to fix. I took it to the shop back in late June because it wouldn't turn to the right.

They took it apart and said it needed a number of parts including a new thrust bearing. MF no longer make this bearing and they can't locate one from a salvage parts dealer.

I had them put new balls in the thrust bearing and try to put it back together, but for some reason now after a very short time the steering stops working completely.

This has been a great little tractor and I can't believe I can't get parts for it. This is the last MF tractor I'll ever buy.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I hate to have to part out or salvage a nice little tractor for the lack of one part.

 

[Dazed]

Get me a model number and I might be able to find you a steering gearbox from a parted out tractor.

Pm me with the details and I'll try.

 

[Handyman]

if all else fails one may be able to use a (guessing it is a all hydraulic) steering gear, or actually a valve? if so one may be able to use one off of some other type of equipment,

combines, tractors, other steerable type of machinery, at times even surplus center has the valves,

if it is mechanical gear, it may be able to replaced with a truck gear or redo completely with hydraulics,

 

[intothatgoodnight]

Don't know specifics about MF, but there may be some similar or identical steering parts used in other tractor brands from that era -- would not be inclined to toss out a perfectly good tractor with bad steering because steering parts are no longer available from MF -- seems to me that this problem can be resolved with a bit of elbow grease and finger-walking through the internet/yellow pages, to engage some of the other tractor expert folks for solution suggestions.

I know of a International Harvester tractor whiz, and a John Deere tractor guru -- if you continue to hit a wall on this matter, PM me -- I will tag them with your questions.


intothegoodnight

 

[Dobbin]

Google various search terms including your tractor model number. If you can, try to find a parts blow out of your tractor to get the part number of various steering parts.

There are "parts houses" that recycle tractor parts. I saw one once out in Wisconsin which looked like any used car junkyard but was filled with tractors!

There are tractor forums too. Look in your searches for online discussion of your tractor model. Search terms could be "have problems with steering (your tractor name)." Usually when problems are noticed with your machine, you're probably not the first person who's had the problem.

I have a John Deere 110 lawn tractor. Originally made in the 1960s, it was updated at least once during it's life, finally ending production in the 1980s. Believe it or not, parts for this 1973 tractor are still available from John Deere.

More interestingly, the main transaxle was made by Peerless which was a division of Tecumseh engines. Peerless is the transmission source for perhaps 90 percent of small tractors in service today. Even Sears has the transmission parts for this tractor for slightly less money than John Deere charges.

I learned all this from the Internet. There's a lot of "basic" knowledge out there. Keep searching.

Joe

 

[Publius]

I have a late 80's Massey Ferguson 210-4 tractor with a steering problem that the dealership can't seem to fix. I took it to the shop back in late June because it wouldn't turn to the right.

They took it apart and said it needed a number of parts including a new thrust bearing. MF no longer make this bearing and they can't locate one from a salvage parts dealer.

I had them put new balls in the thrust bearing and try to put it back together, but for some reason now after a very short time the steering stops working completely.

This has been a great little tractor and I can't believe I can't get parts for it. This is the last MF tractor I'll ever buy.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I hate to have to part out or salvage a nice little tractor for the lack of one part.

There have to parts, Now is this a gear box or hydraulic reactive steering and you say it does not want to turn right which make me think its hydraulic system because if its gear box it would not turn either way.
Try doing a search for! {Lancaster Farmer} its tabloid news paper and also internet based there will find all kinds of used parts dealers and new stuff and used implements you name it you will find it.