I have a new to us ford/versatile 976 that we want to get set up for spring seeding, have a “spare” trimble ezsteer that i can use push comes to shove, but would like to get it setup for future improvements (dont think that the old 250 will be able to run rate control over canbus :P) and would really prefer to run hydraulic steering to keep the cab less cluttered, or going with a setup like the Keya motor.
Hydraulics are obviously the more expensive route (but also probably the most robust), so looking at options for motor setups. I cant find the tractor model on the adapter list, and im not familiar with other tractors on their list to see if it crosses over. Has anyone else done an install on one of these old versys, and what did you do?
Really excited to get into this stuff! Have a mile long list of things to watch on youtube now
Steigers use the same steering column, 976 is limited on hydraulic power unless you’re running an additional pump so electric might be the way to go. The outback install guides lay it out pretty plainly for what you need in regards to hoses and adapters if you do go the hydraulic route.
The tractor has an atom jet for running air seeder functions and whatnot, so im not terribly worried about capacity, I think that im good for figuring out the plumbing, its closed center, so it should be pretty straightforward, the only unknown I have is if the 60l Kit bypasses enough for the regular orbital to do its job. I know the priority valve in the tractor handles sending everything not needed to the closed center second pump, but all the specs i can find show that the open center pump (which supplies the closed center system as well as the steering orbital) has a flowrate of just shy of 100l/min. Is that a problem for supplying the different systems after? Or am I just overthinking all of this?
Edit: I also have found @PotatoFarmer 's gear and motor mount, and @emptywallet 's versatile wheel ring gear adapter, so thats a pretty promising direction. I may also look into doing an under dash mounted gearbox if I’m really feeling like a keener to keep the looks factory. I just really dont like the knuckle buster that is the EZ-steer. I like a little more positive engagement with my drive systems
That versatile steering gear is quite large I made a smaller one for my case 9270 but I accidentally reversed the gear pattern so the drive gear on the motor needs to be reversed as well
