Restoring Mustang Skid Steers with Vickers Hydraulic Components

[MikePhua]

The Mustang Brand and Its Compact Loader Legacy
Mustang Manufacturing, founded in Owatonna, Minnesota in the 1960s, was one of the earliest American companies to produce skid steer loaders. Known for their mechanical simplicity and rugged design, Mustang machines were widely used in agriculture, construction, and landscaping. By the 1980s and 1990s, Mustang had integrated more advanced hydraulic systems into their loaders, including components from Vickers—a respected name in fluid power engineering.
Vickers, originally part of Sperry Corporation and later Eaton Hydraulics, supplied pumps, motors, valves, and control systems to a wide range of OEMs. Their components were prized for durability and modularity, making them ideal for compact equipment where space and reliability were critical.
Identifying Vickers Components in Mustang Loaders
Older Mustang skid steers often used Vickers hydraulic pumps and control valves to manage lift, tilt, and auxiliary functions. These components include:

• Vickers vane pumps (V series) for low-noise, high-efficiency flow
  
• Directional control valves with manual or solenoid actuation
  
• Pressure relief valves integrated into the valve block
  
• Hydraulic motors for drive systems or attachments
  

To identify Vickers parts:

• Locate stamped model numbers on pump housings or valve bodies
  
• Cross-reference with Eaton-Vickers catalogs or archived spec sheets
  
• Use Mustang loader serial numbers to trace factory-installed configurations
  
• Inspect fittings and port sizes to confirm compatibility with replacement units
  

A technician in Iowa once restored a Mustang 940 loader by matching a worn Vickers pump to a modern Eaton equivalent. The new unit bolted directly into place and restored full hydraulic function without modification.
Challenges in Sourcing Obsolete Vickers Parts
As Mustang evolved and was eventually acquired by Manitou Group, many older models were phased out, and Vickers components were replaced by newer hydraulic systems. This has made sourcing original parts more difficult, especially for machines built before 1995.
Common obstacles include:

• Discontinued pump models with no direct replacement
  
• Obsolete valve blocks with proprietary porting
  
• Lack of documentation or exploded diagrams
  
• Confusion between Mustang part numbers and Vickers codes
  

Solutions include:

• Contacting Eaton Hydraulics or authorized distributors for legacy support
  
• Searching industrial surplus suppliers and hydraulic rebuilders
  
• Using remanufactured units with verified flow and pressure specs
  
• Fabricating adapter plates or fittings to retrofit newer components
  

A restoration shop in Pennsylvania rebuilt a Mustang 960’s hydraulic system using a combination of salvaged Vickers valves and custom-fabricated brackets. The loader returned to service with improved responsiveness and leak-free operation.
Hydraulic System Maintenance and Upgrade Strategy
To maintain or upgrade a Mustang loader with Vickers hydraulics:

• Flush the system before installing new components
  
• Replace all seals and O-rings with Viton or Buna-N rated for hydraulic oil
  
• Use ISO 46 or ISO 68 hydraulic fluid depending on climate and workload
  
• Install magnetic drain plugs to capture wear particles
  
• Add inline filters to protect sensitive valve spools and pump internals
  

If upgrading to modern components:

• Match flow rate (gpm) and pressure rating (psi) to original specs
  
• Ensure motor displacement and torque curves align with drive requirements
  
• Use proportional valves if switching from manual to electronic control
  
• Consider adding pilot-operated check valves for improved safety
  

A Story from the Field
In 2010, a farmer in Nebraska inherited a Mustang 930 skid steer with a seized hydraulic pump. The original Vickers unit was no longer available, and the loader sat idle for months. After researching flow specs and mounting dimensions, he sourced a compatible Eaton pump from a surplus supplier. With minor hose adjustments and a new filter base, the machine was back in action—used daily for feeding cattle and clearing snow. The farmer later added a joystick conversion kit, modernizing the controls while retaining the original hydraulic core.
Conclusion
Mustang skid steers equipped with Vickers hydraulic components represent a durable chapter in compact equipment history. While parts may be harder to find, their modular design and robust engineering make restoration and upgrades feasible with the right strategy. Whether sourcing from surplus yards, rebuilding with modern equivalents, or fabricating custom mounts, operators can keep these machines running strong. In the world of legacy loaders, Vickers hydraulics remain a symbol of reliability—and Mustang’s iron still earns its keep when matched with smart repairs.