1430 steering leak

Highridge · Aug 15, 2005

Well I got the valve back from PT today(and some oil filters for the 150 hour tune-up). I hooked it all up and started it up for about 45 seconds and turned the steering wheel back and forth a few times. One thing I noticed was that once I shut it off there was some oil around the unit that wasn't there when I started it. I'm thinking this may be some excess oil or something. I wiped it down and did the same thing again. No oil this time. It was getting late so I figured I'd play with tommorrow. Any ideas on what this oil may be from? (I REALLY hope it isn't leaking again, I don't want to pay $300 after I already paid $120 for the new seals)

Highridge · Aug 16, 2005

Uh oh, bad news /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif while playing around with it some more today, I noticed it was leaking from teh bottom of the valve, instead of the top like last time. I gave Terry a call and he said they can't repair the bottom of the valves so having no other choice, I bought a new one for $500. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

tracdoc · Aug 16, 2005

Sorry to hear that Highridge. What a bummer at $500. How old is your machine? I wanted to get some idea of tme to failure prospects for that valve. Hope that the new valve gives you trouble free service for a long time.

J_J · Aug 16, 2005

Can you post manufacture and model # of the steering motor when it arrives ?

PT has always wanted gold prices for their parts. They wanted over $230.00 for the hydraulis steering pump, I got it for about half of that from Baileys Hyd.

Highridge · Aug 16, 2005

tracdoc, The tractor is a 1999 model that has 190 hours so far.

JJ, I'll take a look when it arrives.

RegL · Aug 16, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( tracdoc, The tractor is a 1999 model that has 190 hours so far.

JJ, I'll take a look when it arrives. )</font>

That's not much use. I wonder if just sitting around to long causes seals to dry out and get brittle. My 2 year old 1430 has over 400 hrs. and no valve leaks yet. Just a thought, but maybe if the tractor is not being used for an extended period, we should start them up and operate the hydraulics once in a while to keep things lubed.

Highridge · Aug 16, 2005

That's very possible. I'm the third owner so I don't really know that much of it's history. What I do know is that it was purchased new by someone in Texas and they trashed the engine by not using the air filter. They brought it back to PT and bought a new one. PT replaced the engine(which only has 90 hours right now) and then someone else bought it and used it for mowing his yard and snow removal. Then he sold it and I bought it around May this year. I don't know how long it sat at the factory, but maybe that had something to do with it the failing steering valve?

Robert259 · Aug 17, 2005

Just for reference. I purchased my 1430 in April, 1999 so it should be about the same as yours. I have about 350 hours. I have no problems with leaks on the steering valve or pump.

J_J · Aug 17, 2005

Is the leak coming from the bottom casing, or is it coming from one of the fittings to the steering motor. If PT fixed the unit, they should have tested the unit stand by the unit with a warranty of some kind. I believe you said you had bought a new steering motor, but did you ever take the old one it to a local hyd shop and have it tested. If I remember right, there is six female outlet on the bottom, and a male to male fittings is used. The hoses then attach to the male fitting. Anyway, I would tighten those fittings one more time, before replacing the steering valve. Just my opinion.

Highridge · Aug 17, 2005

It's definitley coming from the motor. When I turn the wheel, I can see oil oozing out. I went back and tightened everything just in case and it still does it.