Power steering on a 1641?

[garydee]

Makes sense...simple and effective! I'm assuming at full engine rpm for maximum flow.

Say what would be the minimum required GPM flow (or fraction there of) to effectively operate a steering unit from an 1862?

Thanks for the info thus far...

[Oak]

Originally Posted by garydee

Oak, I think one additional line with 2 sharp bends, that connects to the power steering unit is missing. Should be 3 lines with sharp 180 degree bends connecting to the steering unit in total.

Thanks!

The lines I have in my pic going from right to left are:
#7 (727-3052) aux out to feed the spool valve
#8 (727-3055) return line that goes to a tee with the spool valve return
#9 (727-3054) this steel line was replaced with a hose by the po. It is the one that goes back to the hydro and is pump pressure out to the steering box. Still available for $100 from Cub.

The other 2 lines go to the steering cylinder.

Screenshot 2025-11-04 at 05-34-29 Lookup Parts Via Diagram Cub Cadet US.png

[garydee]

Oak, the hydraulic hose in place of the hard line is what threw me. So, yes, it looks like everything in the picture is all that is needed for installation.

[Billy-O]

There is one thing that helped me make my 124 felt like having power steering after I pulled the spindles off the axle and completely cleaned off the dried grease before adding fresh grease. It made a world of a difference than just adding grease alone.

[garydee]

The 1641 having problems was the second of 3 cyclops style machines I restored. Everything was completely disassembled, cleaned, blasted, primed and painted. The tractor looks like brand new. All spindles and steering shafts on the front axle have been greased before assembly and greased again using the zerk fittings.

The steering was harder on 1641 #2 from the get go compared to my Dad's 1641 #1, which was the first restoration I did. I switched tires from my 1864 (being worked on at the moment) to the #2 1641 because they were smoother due to wear. It helped a little. Pumping them up with 30psi of air helped as well.

I installed thrust bearings with thin washers top and bottom of the lower bearing surface to help with the hard steer problem on 1641 #2, but it is still harder than Dad's 1641 with no bearings. I took the bearings off #2 for a while and put them back on, because it didn't help.

Steering is as easy as can be with the tires off the ground. However when they are on the ground you have to be moving to make things easier of course. I have also replaced the steering joints with heim bearings. They work great on Dad's 1641 and my 1864. Wish they worked better on 1641 #2.

You can see some pictures of my restorations by going to page 60 of "lets see your Cub Cadets" and scrolling through. The pictures show all 3 of the Cubs and some of the work in progress.