[joetx]

Looking at a '70 international 444 that has been parked in a shed a long time, maybe 20 yrs. Diesel, has power steering and I tried turning steering wheel and it just turns, no reaction at the wheels. Does it need to be running for the steering to work? Also It's in neutral but shifter is stuck and won't go into any gear. Any suggestions? Thanks. Joe

 

[BigT]

Howdy joetx,

The IH 444 tractor has hydrostatic power steering, no mechanical linkage for the steering, purely hydraulic. The engine has to be running to have steering. If the hydraulic system is working?

Regarding the shifting problem, do the rear wheels roll freely when you move it?

 

[joetx48]

Rear wheels move freely. Just the shifter won't go into gear. Maybe once I start it and try to use the clutch????

 

[joetx]

Was told by a local guy that works on tractors, that since the rear end was free, then it probably was not that the "forks" in the trans were locking the gears and that it might be some bearing balls in the shifter that were dirty-corroded? Going to try to fire it up later today and go from there.