Hi All,
My power steering is almost out.
I got a used 4310 about 3 years ago with about 1400 hours on it. I don't know the entire history, but could see the steering cylinder was replaced in case that is a clue. I have about 150 hours on it.
Starting about a year/50 hours ago the steering would be slightly chunky, meaning it would move something like every 1/4 second instead of continuously. This would happen only at lower RPM, and in the first 10-20 minutes of running. It would be gone by 30 minutes in. It was very minor to the point where I wasn't sure if it was even something that needed to be addressed.
It slowly got a bit worse over the last year, but still was always fine at higher RPM, and lower was fine after 30 minutes. Still seemed like only a borderline issue.
I noticed the hydraulic fluid was a bit milky in the sight after it is running for a while, but it clears up if sitting. This is my 1st tractor so did not realize this is something that I should have checked for sooner, and that should get immediate attention, although the tractor has really just sat since I noticed it.
The tractor has sat since August, fired it up to prep it for winter and it is now much colder out 10-30F.
Went to put the chains on, and the power steering is now almost totally out at low/medium RPM and it running for 15 minutes.
Started finally researching everything, and thought maybe the suction screen is clogged and should change the fluid and change/clean the filters so I ordered the 4300 filter kit, suction screen gasket, and fluid. Got the parts and started prepping to do this, and saw a small puddle of hydraulic fluid under the hydraulic pump. This leak was not present previous to the 15 minutes I had it running to put on the chains when I noticed the steering was almost out, no sign of leak in the previous parking spot.
The hydraulic pump manifold seems to be leaking someplace at the middle (vertical) connection of the 3, and there is some dry cracking and bulging above the middle connection. No fluid on the cracks but thought maybe it is a clue. I just ordered a replacement manifold.
The loader, transmission and everything besides steering seem to be functioning normally.
What else should I be diagnosing or doing before I start into this? Does it sound like replacing the fluid, filters, manifold, and cleaning the screen will fix the issue? Or does it sound more like a problem with the power steering pump, steering cylinder, other? Are some of the symptoms coincidence? If water got in the fluid and caused the problems how do I confirm that and track that down? The tractor is stored in an enclosed barn, has only ever been out in light drizzles, although does see use in snow but not yet this year and I brush most off when parking.
I haven't fired it back up yet to see how the leaking manifold behaves when steering since seeing the leak, how quickly the fluid gets cloudy, in case I shouldn't try to diagnose further before changing the fluid or checking the pump etc to prevent further damage.
My power steering is almost out.
I got a used 4310 about 3 years ago with about 1400 hours on it. I don't know the entire history, but could see the steering cylinder was replaced in case that is a clue. I have about 150 hours on it.
Starting about a year/50 hours ago the steering would be slightly chunky, meaning it would move something like every 1/4 second instead of continuously. This would happen only at lower RPM, and in the first 10-20 minutes of running. It would be gone by 30 minutes in. It was very minor to the point where I wasn't sure if it was even something that needed to be addressed.
It slowly got a bit worse over the last year, but still was always fine at higher RPM, and lower was fine after 30 minutes. Still seemed like only a borderline issue.
I noticed the hydraulic fluid was a bit milky in the sight after it is running for a while, but it clears up if sitting. This is my 1st tractor so did not realize this is something that I should have checked for sooner, and that should get immediate attention, although the tractor has really just sat since I noticed it.
The tractor has sat since August, fired it up to prep it for winter and it is now much colder out 10-30F.
Went to put the chains on, and the power steering is now almost totally out at low/medium RPM and it running for 15 minutes.
Started finally researching everything, and thought maybe the suction screen is clogged and should change the fluid and change/clean the filters so I ordered the 4300 filter kit, suction screen gasket, and fluid. Got the parts and started prepping to do this, and saw a small puddle of hydraulic fluid under the hydraulic pump. This leak was not present previous to the 15 minutes I had it running to put on the chains when I noticed the steering was almost out, no sign of leak in the previous parking spot.
The hydraulic pump manifold seems to be leaking someplace at the middle (vertical) connection of the 3, and there is some dry cracking and bulging above the middle connection. No fluid on the cracks but thought maybe it is a clue. I just ordered a replacement manifold.
The loader, transmission and everything besides steering seem to be functioning normally.
What else should I be diagnosing or doing before I start into this? Does it sound like replacing the fluid, filters, manifold, and cleaning the screen will fix the issue? Or does it sound more like a problem with the power steering pump, steering cylinder, other? Are some of the symptoms coincidence? If water got in the fluid and caused the problems how do I confirm that and track that down? The tractor is stored in an enclosed barn, has only ever been out in light drizzles, although does see use in snow but not yet this year and I brush most off when parking.
I haven't fired it back up yet to see how the leaking manifold behaves when steering since seeing the leak, how quickly the fluid gets cloudy, in case I shouldn't try to diagnose further before changing the fluid or checking the pump etc to prevent further damage.
