Hydraulic Power

Assist

Definition
Hydraulic power assist means that a

hydraulic system is incorporated with

mechanical steering

Full Time Part Time Power

Steering
Part Time

The force of the center springs of the valve

gives the driver the feel of the road at the
steering wheel.

Full Time

The valve is installed without centering

springs. Any movement of the steering
wheel results in hydraulic boost being
applied.
(Vickers, 1967)

Hydro-mechanical Power
Steering (HMPS)
Hydro-mechanical power steering was

the first type to be used on agricultural

tractors in the early 1950s.
Suitable for small to medium tractors
where power steering can be an option to
manual steering.
Once the size of the tractor becomes too
big for manual steering, hydromechanical steering is usually not cost
effective.
(Wittren, 1975)

Hydro-mechanical Power
Steering
There are many different types of hydro-

mechanical power steering, but they all

can be grouped into four basic groups.
Steering

linkage mounted integral valve and

actuator
Steering wheel mounted control valve,
linkage mounted actuator
Separate control valve and actuator mounted
in best position
Integral valve and actuator mounted at
steering wheel

HMPS Type 1
The integral valve and actuator
coupled to steering linkage.
Easiest to adapt

to an existing
mechanical
steering layout.
Only two hoses

are needed.

(Wittren, 1975)

HMPS Type 2
Creates a highly

congested area with

all of the hoses.
Four Hoses are
needed: supply,
return and a pair to
the actuator.
Creates noise, heat
and vibration

Steering column mounted control

valve with separate, remote actuator
coupled to a linkage member.

(Wittren, 1975)

HMPS Type 3
Control Valve and actuator separately
mounted in the steering linkage.

Keeps the area around

the steering wheel from

becoming too
congested.
Four hoses are
required.

(Wittren, 1975)

HMPS Type 4
Most sophisticated

design
Requires little or no
steering linkage
modification.
Requires larger
space envelope than
other types.

The control valve and the actuator are

mounted on the steering column, the
actuator drives the pitman arm by rack
and pinion or by crank arm means.

(Wittren, 1975)

Integral Linkage Power

System-hydraulic assist
Pitman arm operates

steering gear through

drag link (B)
Power cylinder thrust at
steering arm (C)
Boosters actuate left
wheel steering arm, right
wheel steered by cross
steering arm (D)
Only lines to booster are
pressure and tank
Frame absorbs shock
instead of steering gear,
easy to service
(Vickers, 1967)

Remote Linkage System

Steering valve is

remote mounted, not

with cylinder
This linkage system
allows for mechanical
steering

(Vickers, 1967)

Combined Integral Remote

System
Two cylinders
One cylinder has

integral linkage
Second cylinder is
operated by the
same valve

The steering valve

has an extra set of
ports for the
connection
(Vickers, 1967)

Remote Dual System

Two cylinders

operated by single
valve
Valve connects
pitman arm and left
cylinder
Common on rear
wheel steer

(Vickers, 1967)

Power Steering Circuits

General Circuit
Integral Steering Unit Circuit
Remote Linkage System Circuit

(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit Components

Manual Steering Gear
Power Steering Pump
Power Cylinder
Valves

Relief
Flow Control
Steering

Filters

Oil
Air Breather

Oil Reservoir
Hydraulic Lines

(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit
Manual Steering Gear

Transmits motion of the steering wheel to

the turning of the wheel.
Could be eliminated, but there are two
reasons for not doing so.
Hydraulic

system failure.
The public is not ready for a 1 to 1 ratio
steering system.

(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit
Power Steering Pump

Usually a vane-type pump or similar.

Driven by the engine.

Power Cylinder

Double-acting differential cylinder.

Steering response to left and right turns is
slightly different. Hardly noticeable.

(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit
Valves

Relief Valve
Required to protect the pump.
Flow Control Valve
Helps maintain a constant flow.
Variations in engine speed would affect pump flow
without flow control valve.
Steering Valve
A four way valve that functions as a positioning
servo valve.
Most are open-center.
(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit
Filters

Oil Filter
Preferably installed in the
return line.
A 10-micron or smaller
filter is recommended.
Air Breather Filter
The breather or vent in
the reservoir.
A 3-micron filter is
recommended.
(Vickers, 1967)

General Circuit
Oil Reservoir

Must be large enough to hold more than all

of the oil for the system.
Should be capable of dissipating heat in
oil.

Hydraulic Lines

Flexible hoses due to the steering

components movements.

(Vickers, 1967)

Special Power Steering

Circuits
Integral Steering Unit

Circuit

A simple circuit with the

valve and cylinder
mounted together.

Remote Linkage System

Circuit

The valve and cylinder are

mounted separately.

(Vickers, 1967)

Integral Steering Unit

S20 Steering Unit

Consists of a power cylinder

connected to a steering
valve.
Two external and internal
ports

The inlet port is connected

to the pressure line.
The outlet port is the tank
return.
The upper internal port
connects between the
coaxial tubes of the
cylinder to the cylinder rod
end.
The lower internal port
connects to the head end
of the cylinder.

(Vickers, 1967)

Integral Steering Unit

View A

View B

The valve is in neutral

position. The spool is
centered, and the oil from the
pump is directed back to the
tank
The valve is in retract
position. The spool is
pushed to the left and the oil
is directed to the rod end of
the cylinder, thus moving the
steering unit to the left.

View C

The valve is in the extend

position. The spool is moved
to the right and the oil is
directed to the head end of
the cylinder. The steering
unit is moved to the right.

(Vickers, 1967)

Integral Steering Unit

Check Valve

Helps to avoid hydrostatic lock

and allow for manual steering

Relief Valve

Optional.
Can be incorporated if the flow
control and relief valve is not
used.

Ball Stud mounting

The control valve ball stud can

be mounted in any four
positions relative to the port
connections.
(Vickers, 1967)

Remote Linkage System

Auxiliary Side Ports

(Vickers, 1967)

Remote Linkage System

Pitman Arm Stops

Helps to protect
against overheating.
Adjusted so that the
Pitman arm stops just
before the wheels
must stop.
Should be used with
any system that has a
separate steering
valve.
(Vickers, 1967)