i was reading the new FOURWHEELER today and saw the the front covers f-150 had full hydraulic steering. He said it was legal in texas...i thought it was illegal in all states? does anyone know if indiana is a legel or illegal state for this? if not, where could i go about finding this out? please let me know if you have any information...thanks

I don't think that it is legal anywhere.

I still do it though....I don't go fast enough or far enough for it to matter. I guess it is in the same boat as beadlocks....

later :jeep:

Originally posted by Mieser
I don't think that it is legal anywhere.

I still do it though....I don't go fast enough or far enough for it to matter. I guess it is in the same boat as beadlocks....

later :jeep:

I doubt that - here's champion's bead lock statement: http://www.championwheel.com/champion_wheel_statement.htm

Guys,
I spent hours on the phone with the U.S. D.O.T. in Washington D.C. and finally ended up talking to someone in Accident Avoidance Division. He informed me that to date and I quote,"No safety standards have been issued regarding steering systems."
I took this to mean that there are no laws against full hydraulic steering. Do check with your local officials though. Mine (sherriff and state patrol) don't have a clue what I am talking about when I mention hydraulic steering. I looked at there law enforcement books with regards to traffic violations and vehicle safety and there is no mention of any steering systems legal or illegal. Most of the state law books follow the DOT standards. The gentleman at DOT also informed me that the DOT does in NO WAY approve any product! They merely issue safety standards and any manufacturer producing items that fall under these standards must comply with said standard. If you read that something is "DOT Approved" it is usually the manufacturers inference that his product meets the DOT standards and NOT DOT's "Approval"
Later,
Steve
Top Truck Entrant #55 See it here www.superford.org/?vID=210

The guy that owned that truck (in Fourwheeler) said he drives it around all the time. One one of the pages, there is a nice clear shot of the sidewall of the tire--30 mph max speed. I also like how if you draw a line between his king pins, and extend it to the pavement, it contacts the ground inside the inside wall of the tire (if that makes sense). He is swinging the entire 25" wide tire in an arc (as apposed to pivoting it). Nice work.:flipoff2: No wonder the thing needs 2 steering rams.

Pete

Yeah I'd be interested in finding out what the DOT says about this stuff. I'm pretty sure we're not going to find a clause that says "beadlocks are illegal", it just might not list them and people assume....I put antique tags on my Jeep so hopefully I will avoid some confusion, they seem to let a lot of stuff slide.

CJ

Originally posted by pcorssmit
The guy that owned that truck (in Fourwheeler) said he drives it around all the time. One one of the pages, there is a nice clear shot of the sidewall of the tire--30 mph max speed. I also like how if you draw a line between his king pins, and extend it to the pavement, it contacts the ground inside the inside wall of the tire (if that makes sense). He is swinging the entire 25" wide tire in an arc (as apposed to pivoting it). Nice work.:flipoff2: No wonder the thing needs 2 steering rams.

Pete

Looks good at the County Fair car show:D I don't know why anything else would matter:D :flipoff2:

I think Oshkosh transit-mix trucks are full hydro.

A couple of my friends checked into this a while back. In Iowa, the law states that the following must occur:

1. The vehicle is driven at its tightest turning radius.
2. The steering wheel is released.
3. The radius of the circle must increase with no input to the steering wheel.

WMS sells a self centering orbital valve that will make our rigs legal here.

YMMV in other states.

-Matt

Originally posted by dirtrod
I think Oshkosh transit-mix trucks are full hydro.

lots of big trucks are, and it's legal on them, the biggest thing is just doing it right if you are going to do it you should really use a pair of rams, or a double ended ram, and a force feedback, self centering orbital valve if you are going to do this for the street. It will provide the most predictable, easiest to drive handling.

Originally posted by mattm
1. The vehicle is driven at its tightest turning radius.
2. The steering wheel is released.
3. The radius of the circle must increase with no input to the steering wheel.Ding ding ding we have a winner. And this is why very large trucks get away with full hydaulic steering. As long as it returns to center it's legal.

Originally posted by Belly Dragger
Ding ding ding we have a winner. And this is why very large trucks get away with full hydaulic steering. As long as it returns to center it's legal.

Doesn't toe-in help a full hydro system return to center?

I just got off the phone with CHP. I spoke with several officers until finally getting to a head honcho in the "Commercial" division, who supposedly is the final say in all things like this. He said There are NO GOVERNING LAWS prohibiting the use of full hydro, or even hydro assist steering systems, as long as it is done in a "safe manor". His words were, steering started as a hydralic system, why would it be illegal now?

Originally posted by brector


Doesn't toe-in help a full hydro system return to center?

Lots of caster would do more than anything to help the return-to-center feel, particularly if combined with a self-centering orbital valve, I think. I suspect that with hydraulic steering setups, more like 8-9 degrees of caster *could* be better than the usual 5 degrees I usually have when I turn cut 'n turn the yokes.

Sean

I see backhoes and tractors all the time on the roads around here.
don't they all have full hydro steering :flipoff2:

So maybe if I register my jeep as a tractor\farm vehicle I can convert to full hydro, get one of them big reflector triangles and drive slow down the road?

thats what hay raker does, but your supposed to stay below 15 mph.

sounds like the end of another MYTH here on Pirates4x4.com

keep up the good work guys

what myth is next to fall?

I know in MD if you run farm truck or street rod tags you can get away with almost anything.:D I had a friend with a 56 jeep with 44's and got pulled over and the cop couldn't do anything because it had street rod tags. And the tires weren't covered by flairs.

Originally posted by mattm
A couple of my friends checked into this a while back. In Iowa, the law states that the following must occur:

1. The vehicle is driven at its tightest turning radius.
2. The steering wheel is released.
3. The radius of the circle must increase with no input to the steering wheel.

WMS sells a self centering orbital valve that will make our rigs legal here.

YMMV in other states.

-Matt

If this is true , then Volvo 240's wouldn't be street legal. When you turn to full lock while moving forward it stays that way. The steering wheel actually pulls the wheel to lock in the last quarter turn of the wheel. I daily drive one, and every other on I have driven does the same thing.

They turn REALLY sharp though.

Sean

Originally posted by Monkeyboy


So maybe if I register my jeep as a tractor\farm vehicle I can convert to full hydro, get one of them big reflector triangles and drive slow down the road?

Got the triangle, I stay under 20mph, and stay on the shoulder when possible, run my flashers if I must drive thru a busy area. Local deputy said I should not get hassled. I have no registration, or inspection, but I keep everything working, and have liability insurance. It doesn't see much highway driving though.

You are definitely a REDNECK. Dayum!!!!

I know when I looked up here in canada it specified there must be a mechanical backup to any steering system, read a solid link of some kind between the wheel and the tires.

Are the pumps used in full hydraulic setups engine driven? If so, what happens if your driving down the street and the engine stalls?

You would still be able to steer enough to control the vehicle because it is a closed system, have to use a little manpower tho.

Originally posted by chrisd
Are the pumps used in full hydraulic setups engine driven? If so, what happens if your driving down the street and the engine stalls?
There is a gear pump in the end of the orbit valve that pumps a little oil...It takes alot of turning to move the wheels, but it gives you some control.

Its also not to hard to tie in a small electric back up pump. Run on a pressure switch in the main line to the orbital. Pressure drop = electric pump turn on.;)

with a manual trans the stalled engine will not stop spinning unless you put tranny in neutral or depress clutch pedal, so as long as pump spins you have power steering.

for the canadian claiming to have checked the rules, post some facts.
where did you see this?
not that i think you are full of it or anything