Landlord Steering

[paull]

I have a ‘66 Landlord. I'm wondering if anyone has
come up with an improvement over the stock steering
gear. I think the system was used on ‘66 through
‘70 Landlord, and Sovereign models through 1970. I
just don't feel that the steering system is at the
level of the rest of the tractor. Thanks, John

[LarryC]

Hi John, If you are refering to the problem of the steering gear bushing wearing out yes I can see what you mean as I am looking at the steering assemble from a 1970 Sim. write now. I have removed it to replace the center bushing and possibly the needle bearing ouch$$$. My older landlord used a much better set up as it even had 2 grease fitting and in stead of the half moon gear it has a full circle gear. If part of the gear wears out it can just be rotated to another area of the gear and your back in bussiness. Also the older ones did not have a separate bushing. What is called the bushing is a complete forged peice that the gear shaft goes thru. But this peice is $37. and there are 2 of them one for the small gear and one for the large gear thus 2 expensive bushing. But the chances of ever having to replace them are very slim as long as they are kept greased. It is a much simperler set up but I think it cost to much more then the newer verion and that may be why Sim. changed it. My tractor is 35 years young and is just now getting some play in one of the solid metel bushings. If you get a chance to check out a older landlord or 725 you will see what I mean. I do not know if you could install the older system maybe from a used tractor or not. But when I get a chance I am going to check it out. Thanks and I hope this helps somewhat. Jackl

[Guest]

John, as JackL discribed the older tractors had a better set up. The model you have, I believe, is with the half moon rack and pinion. I fixed my HB-212 without a lot of money. First my bearings and shafts were OK. The "universal joint" above the rack and pinion needed new cap screws, second the pinion is mounted on an eccentric shaft that can be rotated closer the half moon rack, third the rack is mounted with a rectangular hole; I fixed this by welding in the corners where it was worn and filed it square again. Fourth the ball joints; I did not replace these. Fifth the steering arm on the left spindle; I have seen this loose on many tractors, If the keyway is not shot, put in a new key and set screws with Locktite red and you will never have to mess with it again. Last is the tie rod; if this is very loose the welding and redrilling the holes is the solution, I left the tie rod as is. I went from 2+" of play in my steering wheel to lest than 1/2". Good Luck!