Farm Pro 2425 steering issues??

[cpita]

Can someone tell me why I have to turn my steering wheel about 10 times to get it to make a full right or left turn while driving straight? I know it works off the hydraulics, so could it be a weak pump? meanwhile the FEL works as it should???

 

[Dave M7040]

Can someone tell me why I have to turn my steering wheel about 10 times to get it to make a full right or left turn while driving straight? I know it works off the hydraulics, so could it be a weak pump? meanwhile the FEL works as it should???

You need to provide more info.

Does your tractor have one or two hydraulic pumps? If you have two, one for the power steering, it will have its own oil reservoir and this may be low on fluid.

If there is only one pump, and you are absolutely certain of this, then the hydraulic priority valve is screwed up. This valve's only job is to make certain the steering system gets the quantity and pressure of oil it needs before anything else does such as the FEL or 3 pt hitch lifter.

Some photos.

<a href="https://imgur.com/qrM52Pp"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/qrM52Pp.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Dont be confused by the writing on this next photo. The comments have nothing to do with your tractor but I wanted you to see the power steering reservoir in front of the radiator.

Dave M7040

 

[RonMar]

When setting still, is the wheel easy or difficult to turn? If difficult, yes check the power steering pump or diverter on a single pump system. If easy to turn it means it is getting hydraulic assist and either the vane pump or the steering cylinder itself is having an issue and bypassing fluid...

 

[cpita]

Thx for the replies, It must only have 1 pump, because there's no reservoir in front of the radiator, and yes when sitting still, the wheel is easy to turn, but no matter how much I turn it, the tires don't want to turn all the way unless I'm moving

 

[Dave M7040]

Thx for the replies, It must only have 1 pump, because there's no reservoir in front of the radiator, and yes when sitting still, the wheel is easy to turn, but no matter how much I turn it, the tires don't want to turn all the way unless I'm moving

It will be much easier to help you with some photos. Otherwise we are just guessing at what you have and how it is connected.

Did the tractor come with the FEL or was it installed later?

How well does the 3 pt lift something heavy while you are sitting still and turning the steering wheel.

Did this condition suddenly occur? Did it follow an event like removing the FEL and then re installing it.

A lot of history may contain clues to get you better advice.

Since you have a FEL, when you raise the front wheels off the ground using the FEL does the steering act any differently?

Dave M7040

 

[RonMar]

Thx for the replies, It must only have 1 pump, because there's no reservoir in front of the radiator, and yes when sitting still, the wheel is easy to turn, but no matter how much I turn it, the tires don't want to turn all the way unless I'm moving

OK, if you were not getting hydraulic assist it would take two hands to turn the wheel(like it does when the engine is turned off) so the diverter is probably diverting hydraulic pressure to the rotary vane pump OK.
The rotary vane pump(at the bottom of the steering column) is just like it sounds, it pumps fluid to-from the steering cylinder as you rotate the steering wheel the port it goes out of is determined by rotation. As it draws fluid from the supply that loss is made up by the diverter which also provides power assist. Since the vane pump has several vane seals, it completely failing is less likely than the single seal in the steering cylinder failing IMO.

Quick check for the steering cylinder is to lift the front end with the bucket and turn the wheels all the way to the right or left(fully extend or retract the steering cylinder) then lower the front end. Remove the hose on that end of the cylinder(wheels to left, remove left hose ect). Put a bucket under the hose and port. Start the tractor and again turn the wheel in the same direction. No fluid should come out of the hose as in that direction it is the return hose. The only time fluid should come out of a cylinder port is WHILE the cylinder is extending or retracting. If fluid comes out of the cylinder port with the cylinder at one of it's it's stops, it means the cylinder piston seal is blown and bypassing fluid.

If the seal is blown, I am sure one of the suppliers that frequent here can provide seal or cylinder.

Good luck