4035 HST steering wheel won't tilt

[ktoom]

My 4035 has 42hrs on it. The steering wheel won't stay tilted down. Turns out that the damper, for tilting the steering wheel, was a little tweaked where it threads into the lever mechanism that tilts the wheel. The part that is bent is where the threads are on the damper. There is a little release shaft that slides in and out of the damper shaft itself, that must lock the damper in place. I straitened it out and thought I had it working again, but now its not working again. The thing metal of the damper must have bent again.

The steering wheel tilt was working fine till now. Not sure if this will be a warranty thing?

Has anyone else had this happen before?

 

[DavesTractor]

I think it is covered for the first two years of warranty. The problem with this system is that if you press too hard with your foot it bends the mechanism. As you noticed, you can sometimes bend it back and it works. To me, this is not a great design. When we are on tractors, it is often with our big work boots and if something is foot operated, sometimes it will get pressed hard. If it needs a gentle touch, it ought to be placed higher and made to be operated by hand. I think they will warranty it. Such a great tractor, but that is a flaw in my opinion. I've bent one myself while trying to release the brake and pressing on the wrong pedal. And of course the brake did not release so I pressed harder. I think they have changed this on the new 3500 series that replaces the 4035/5035.

 

[RedFirstGen]

I love my 4035...but the tilt wheel drives me nuts. I pull mine back and 30 seconds later it's all the way up again. Half the time I try to find a comfortable way to operate it with the wheel all the way forward and the other half I just keep pulling the darn thing back every 30 seconds. Really would like to get it fixed.

 

[DavesTractor]

I love my 4035...but the tilt wheel drives me nuts. I pull mine back and 30 seconds later it's all the way up again. Half the time I try to find a comfortable way to operate it with the wheel all the way forward and the other half I just keep pulling the darn thing back every 30 seconds. Really would like to get it fixed.

If you replace the tilt mechanism and then never bend it again, the tilt should work fine. It's just that they bend easily. First time your neighbor jumps on the tractor and smashes down that pedal....you have trouble. As was mentioned above, you can generally straighten the device out and some of the time they work like new.

 

[RedFirstGen]

So just remove the plastic housing and I should be able to see where it's bent and fix it?

 

[DavesTractor]

Yes, it is obvious.

 

[RedFirstGen]

Ok. Thanks.

 

[RedFirstGen]

Does anyone know how to remove the handle on the parking brake. I can't ger the plastic housing off without removing that handle. It Won't slide past it.

 

[Sysop]

Takes a firm grip, but all you do is unscrew it.

 

[RedFirstGen]

Man I tried...with a pair of channel locks no less. Will give her another go.