Cheap Mans Hydro steering - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

KentuckyCrawler · #1 01-31-2008, 04:09 PM

Has anyone ever thought about using a hydraulic steering ram for an outboard motor on a dedicated off-road rig????

I am thinking about using something like the attached on my boys buggy. I think it would work what do all you other think.

eBay Motors: SeaStar HC5342 Outboard Hydraulic Steering Cylinder Ram (item 200195425050 end time Feb-02-08 13:00:00 PST)

Brad

Jim_Lou · #2 01-31-2008, 06:13 PM

I would doubt that a device for steering a boat would work, unless it wa a very big boat. It takes a lot of force to steer an off-road machine, but very little to steer a boat.

Rio_Grande · #3 01-31-2008, 09:37 PM

What are the measurements we can do math here!!!

I am sceptical, but willing to work it out and see what it would do. I would think something in the 2xwhatever length and a 1in ram,,, I would have to get the caculator out.

jeepgod · #4 02-01-2008, 06:19 AM

it will depend on the size of the ram...it looks as though that one is on the small side.. you can get single sided rams for under 100 bucks to use... i have a 2x8 ram... works just fine.. .and my friend uses one of them on both the front and back and it works well also.. the money goes into the orbital valve.. or steering valve... and also the lines.. they are both more expensive then the ram...

KentuckyCrawler · #5 02-01-2008, 03:13 PM

I checked out the sea star web site and this is all the information I could find.

Shaft size is 3/4"

Total extended length is 21.7" or 552mm.

From the scaled drawing i measured looks like thge shaft only have 5" of stoke. I could make the 5" of stroke work if the cylinder is strong enough.

My problem is it doesn't give the bore dimension in the drawing anywhere so I can't calculate the force this cylinder will pull.

I was actually thinking about using an entire boat set-up with the electric 12 volt pump for the booster, steering valve, etc.

This unit is turnin a good sized boat with up to a 300HP outboard.

JeepGod,
I am going to use hydraulic steering no matter what, could you give me some info on your set-up.

Brad

jeepgod · #6 02-02-2008, 09:06 PM

i have a lion cylinder, you can get from Northern Tool or Tractor Supply or many other places.. i believe it's a 2.5" bore x 8" stroke.. can be had for around $80...

then you will need a steering valve.. mine pushes 7.3 cu-in.. and make sure you get a load reaction one.. you can find them at Surplus Center Hydraulics for around $370... also might be able to find them at Northern Tool and a few other places.. you want to match the flow.. with my 7.3 it is about 4 turns from lock to lock.. might be a bit fast for some folks.. if you want it slower or more turns from lock to lock you would get a valve that is lower, probably a 5.9 cu-in one..

as for the lines.. i got the parts from my local hyraulic shop and i got the reuseable fittings.. they are more expensive than having them crimped on.. but i like having the ability to make my own lines in the garage and in the field.. for all the fittings and hose it ran about $200..

so for about $650 you can do it yourself with all brand new parts.. if you shop around you can probably find them a little cheaper or get the parts used..

i run this off the stock steering pump, that is unmodified.. works just fine.. in fact i wish i would have done this years ago.. i can turn my 38" SX swampers sitting still with my little finger...

mach2_nh · #7 02-02-2008, 09:23 PM

What about one from a plow frame? that shaft must be over 1" and some have allot of travel.

jeepgod · #8 02-03-2008, 02:49 AM

not sure.. i have been in southern cali.. or north carolina for the past 19 years... but the cylinder is the least of your worries... you need the steering valve.. and that is what eats up your money.. you need to find a cheap replacement for that.. if there is such a thing.. not sure what fork lifts run.. i needed mine now.. so i bought new..

i will say.. do not cheap out on the cylinder.. that is the most important part.. dont try to go the next smaller size.. i would get as big as you can get to fit your appilication.. but anything over 2" bore... is good.. depending on the size of the shaft.. i have seen AGR's shafts bend so many times i can't even count..
Why? because they are small.. thats why.. go big... this is where the metal meets the stone..

mach2_nh · #9 02-03-2008, 11:18 AM

People around here seem to like the steering valve from a skider. I did not get to drive one but i did turn the wheel and it works very well. But something i dont need. I can turn 36s just fine.

Rio_Grande · #10 02-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Zach got me a set of hydro steering from a combine. It is externaly valved but was cheap. I paid 100.00 for all of it. I have seen several forklifts with charlynn type valves in them. Even concidered pulling a few but there is a bunch of crap sorounding them. I get the impression they build the fork lift around that valve.

Lastly many international tractors run off of a charlynn type valve.

If you want the for lift valve and have trouble finding it let me know, I get lifts on occasion. I also know a yard where 3 or 4 are sitting.