Roland-

I finished the installation of the power steering kit on my Ford 861 yesterday, and it works perfectly.  I spent quite a lot of time on it, mostly because I am a slow worker and spend a lot of time finding misplaced tools, backing out of mistakes, etc.  I also spent some time planning the installation so that I would be satisfied with it after it was done, and dealt with a number of other issues while I had the tractor apart.  After it was done, I felt the results are worth all the trouble.  I appears that I will have to do something about my hydraulic pump eventually, since it probably isn’t putting out its rated flow.  At idle, there is barely enough excess flow to lift the bucket.  At operating speed, the loader is slower than it was, but sufficient for now.

I’ve attached some pictures in case you are interested.  The picture of the whole tractor was taken some time before I started putting on the power steering, and the others show how I ended up mounting the flow controller.  The flow controller is mounted on a platform that was added by a previous owner for a control valve to control implements.  I T’d into the tank port from the loader controls to accommodate the return from the flow controller and the steering control, which made use of the existing filter.  I replaced the cartridge with a 20 micron version of the standard cartridge, although the supplied cartridge will also fit.  The rest is standard stuff I imagine.  One thing I have not done is to bolt the rear of the cowling to the steering controller mounting bracket on each side.  The cowling seems secure enough as it is, and I would rather not drill for the bolts, but the cowling did originally bolt to the steering box assembly.  Do other customers do this, and do you think it is necessary?

I came to appreciate the engineering you put into the system, as all the parts fit and the steering action couldn’t be better.  I hope to get a lot of use out of it for the next couple of decades.

Thanks,

Norm Kolb

Mr. Jackson,

I just finished installing my power steering unit, and I just wanted to express my gratitude. The system worked just as you said it would, and I really enjoy the power steering. Thank your your time.

Sincerely,

Jacob Vanator

I sent you some pictures of the tractor we rebuilt. Once again great product. Thanks to you and all your staff.

Murray Boikoff

Hello Roland,

Here are a couple shots of my 1300 Ford blowing snow. We are about 4 feet behind normal snowfall at this point-still have had over 3 feet. The power steering unit you made for my tractor works extremely well. It might just save my shoulder from surgery. If you don’t mind, I will give you website to our local tractor place – they could not find any ps units from their sources.

You have made my tractor enjoyable again.

Thank-you,

Joel Lantz
Skandia, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

This is what Bill McCroskey had to say about the Jackson Power Steering unit that he installed on his newly restored Ford Tractor.  As you can see, he made his tractor new again and power steering was a welcome upgrade. Bill sent me this picture of his Ford tractor helping install a pickup bed for a friend.  Here are some of his comments.

Recently, I installed Power Steering on an 860 Ford tractor.  This particular tractor came with factory power steering.  However, the steering quit working and the owner took off the steering cylinders and tried to steer it manually…which was almost impossible to do. So, I converted the JPS steering cylinders to accommodate the original drag rod that came out with all of the factory power steering tractors.  And I used an automotive power steering pump to power the steering unit.  I am pleased to report that the steering is effortless now…and this 860 Ford runs like a dream!  Only thing left is a paint job to get it all prettied up!  Owner is a happy camper!

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Thanks for all the help with my 300. I am very happy with the power steering.

All the best,

Fred Allen