IH 1256 - No steering and no brakes - help!

We lost our steering and brakes after splitting the tractor a half a dozen times within the year. First lost high and reverse and replaced the gears. Next we broke the speed range shaft when putting it back in. And now we lost the steering and brakes. Split the tractor again and pulled the speed transmission out to pull out and look at the TA pump (which we never got that far-also manual- IH original- says so) and noticed the clutch housing cover (with all those little bolts to take off) inside the gasket was ripped. So we figured that was the problem. NOT! We do have the whole TA gasket kit $90.00. I am new to this forum and have read alot (Great and knowledgable forum) but I do not understand where the MCV is on this particlular model. I'm thinking this may be the problem. By the way when we put the tractor back together we had the steering until we put the clutch in then we loose it. The filters are good. Actually we would loose the steering and brakes occassionally which started a few years ago in the colder weather. Now we lost it completely. And let me tell you if we have to split it one more time I think I'm going to loose it completely, just joking. Now I'm just guessing on the MCV as to what I read on other model tractors. So any and all suggestions welcome. You know it always seems to happen at the perfect time, just started haying in the U.P. Michigan.

Tina-

First of all I would like to thank all that replied and am sorry for not checking in sooner. Been busy haying and monkeying with the tractor. I did find where the MCV is, the illistration is in a different section of the International service manual. Had also replaced all o-rings, gaskets, etc. Also everything was still intact including springs. I guess because we are not professional mechanics our terminology doesn"t coincide with others. Sorry about that. We have always pretty much work on our own equipment because of cost and there are not a whole lot of great mechanics out where we live. Some mechanics we have used literally cost us more money. The point is we have been having troubles with the brakes and power steering for quit a few years mostly in real cold temperatures. What is happening now is we start up the tractor and we have brakes and steering. It all goes out when we push the clutch in - bango - no brakes or steering. When we push the clutch in we are losing pressure and when the clutch comes back up it seems like it is not building the pressure back. We then prime and start up the tractor again only to get the same results. Our next guess is the pump has gone bad. Will be checking that next between hay bales.

And to answer you (tractor vet) everything is fine concerning spines, PTO runs great, pressure plate,flywheel, etc. And no out of the ordinary noises. Sounds like it had always ran.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated and thanks again guys. Will keep you posted.

Tina-