Hi, Ricky.
I'm no 'ex-spurt' but, from what you have posted, I think you probably have about two reasons for this happening:

!. As mentioned earlier, the discs may have worn grooves in either or both the outer and/or inner splines and are hanging up on those wear marks.

2. The hydraulic booster plunger is sticking in its bore in the steering booster unit.

It'z bin a LONG time since I was inside wunna those units - about 55 years - but I think there is supposed to be a spring in there to return the booster slide to the disengaged position. If you are a financial member, there may well be a manual in the tech, library that you can access.

I think I would look at the booster first simply 'coz it is the easier area to access.

Just my 0.02.

i have a 1955 9U19468, and looking at this 9U18824

Hello Ricky, if the tractor does not have a winch on the back and you can grab a helper this is what I would do. Remove the cover 4x6 held on with 4 3/8 bolts from the rear case. With someone slowly moving the steering clutch lever you should be able to see if all of the linkage is moving correctly. Perhaps remove cover from the left side for comparison. If the steering clutch yoke does not move I would suspect a booster or adjustment problem. If everything is moving I suspect a problem in the steering clutch pack. I have a tractor that acts like yours when I pull back the steering clutch, stops moving, but I still feel some spring resistance. Completely worn out fiber discs is my problem. From looking at my 9U’s I would think that 9U188__ would be almost identical to your 19000 machine. Possible you have 9U 188_SP? Or maybe someone added a number to make it appear like a newer machine sometime in the past? Do the engine and rear tub numbers match? Good luck, Mike

Thank you for clarification. Look as best you can that the linkage is all intact, moving and if the booster has any oil showing. I just remove the fuel tank to do most anything on the back end. I know people that do brake bands without, but I need to see what I am doing. Never had much luck working on one without removing the fuel tank. With the tank out of the way remove cover of booster and make sure thing are not stuck. As that is all easy compared to removing the steering clutch.


Not part of your current ask, but where did the oil clutch case come from without being drilled for the direct start? Anybody have any ideas?

As for horsepower, my production handbook was loaned out , years ago so gone forever. But my fading memory says 90 at the flywheel. But Cat turned the D318 up to 120 or a tad more in the DW10 scraper. But there are many little things that help increase the horsepower without spending much money.

9U Direct Electric Start came in at s/n 9U19402, Oil clutch came in at 9U 13263.

I have been pondering the oil clutch and no starter hole drilled and tapped. Parts of 5 oil clutches here all are ready for a starter. One of the cover plates for the clutch is different than the rest, but I believe it is Cat as well. It is the newest too. Was an oil clutch used on any of the other applications like industrial engines or marine. But those had direct electric start before the tractors.

Ray I have been wondering the same thing but have not had a chance to look that closely. I was thinking that all oil clutch machines had the hole for a starter? Maybe the ones I have are newer than the 19402 break.