B3030 difficulty steering under load

[hazmat]

Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

Work has been rather insane for me since Jan 2009, plus with the 2 kids growing up fast, I've spent very little time on tbn in the last 3 years. Back for a visit to search for answers since my B3030 is having steering issues with a heavy load...

Nice to see some of the regulars from waaaay back still around.

To catch y'all up on my tractor happenings: Just Past 400 hrs on the Kubota

Built a 1,000 sq foot patio & deck that lasted the summers of 2008 thru 2010 - I'll have to dig up some pix. Tractor & Backhoe were indespensible for that project


Only new implement in the last few years has been a timerwolf PTO log splitter with 4 way wedge - love it. Also bought a new chainsaw (Stihl MS441CQ) a couple years ago.

Bought a new F250 diesel last month - figured you guys would share some excitement about that - (wifey isn't feeling the love). The new diesel is amazing. Got the base XL version, roll up windows and all. Will keep my car for commuting to the office.

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

Welcome back. :thumbsup:
Cannot help with your steering problems.

 

[MarkV]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

Glad to see your doing well Hazmat. You need to check in more often.

MarkV

 

[riptides]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

What's the issue? I did not see it under owning and operating? I may have missed it?

My 7800 started doing jerky steering when hot running at full speed. Just over 500 hours.
Fluids and Filters fixed that.

Welcome back.

 

[teg]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

"steering issues" Like what issues? not working, surging? I wonder if it's similar to the cracked return hoses very common to the L2800/L3400 that allows air to be sucked into the system?

Welcome back, too... (there is life beyond TBN :laughing:)

 

[hazmat]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

issue is difficulty turning with a medium to heavy load on the loader on a hard surface. I have the shop manual & have checked the obvious - hydro fluid is full. Fluid and filter changed at 300 hrs, just past 400 now.

Powerwashed the tractor the other day - will be looking for leaks.

Next up in the troubleshooting is to check pressure - unfortunately I don't have a hydraulic pressure gauge - perhaps it's time to get one set up...

I should really post this in owning & operating.

 

[hazmat]

I'm having difficulty turning with a medium to heavy load on the loader on a hard surface. I have the shop manual & have checked the obvious - hydro fluid is full. Fluid and filter changed at 300 hrs, just past 400 now.

Front tires are filled to max PSI (22psi), rear tires are loaded & have 500# weight box on the rear.

Powerwashed the tractor the other day - will be looking for leaks.

Next up in the troubleshooting is to check pressure - unfortunately I don't have a hydraulic pressure gauge - perhaps it's time to get one set up...

Open to suggestions on further troubleshooting....

 

[RoyJackson]

You're not a novice to tractors...have you ever had this problem before when moving a similar load?

As far as hydraulic pressure (or lack of)...any other symptoms that may indicate that? When you lifted the "medium to heavy" weight...any protests from the loader?

 

[hazmat]

It's been going on a while. Doesn't seem to tie back to any particular event (fluid/filter change etc.) When new, wasn't an issue, so I figure something has worn etc.

 

[RoyJackson]

It's been going on a while. Doesn't seem to tie back to any particular event (fluid/filter change etc.) When new, wasn't an issue, so I figure something has worn etc.

Yep...worn, or something is bent...

 

[Bird]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

I should really post this in owning & operating.

Moved from the Front Porch.

 

[dodge man]

Re: Back for a visit after 3 years of mostly MIA

Talk about the wife not feeling the love, I recently bought a used Dodge diesel and my wife is not feeling it either. Good luck with the Kubota, haven't got any anwers for you.

 

[Rfisher7381]

I'm having difficulty turning with a medium to heavy load on the loader on a hard surface. I have the shop manual & have checked the obvious - hydro fluid is full. Fluid and filter changed at 300 hrs, just past 400 now.

Front tires are filled to max PSI (22psi), rear tires are loaded & have 500# weight box on the rear.

Powerwashed the tractor the other day - will be looking for leaks.

Next up in the troubleshooting is to check pressure - unfortunately I don't have a hydraulic pressure gauge - perhaps it's time to get one set up...

Open to suggestions on further troubleshooting....

Maybe raise the front end up and then try turning back and forth to see if it smooth for the entire travel or perhaps something is binding. If something is binding that may help narrow down the pinch point.

 

[hazmat]

merged the 2 threads together.

thanks for all the welcome backs

 

[dsmiley]

Would it do this if it were in 4 wheel drive with a load on the front wheels?

 

[RobertN]

Wow! Good to hear from you guys; within a week messages from hamat AND VON!

Now I need to ping Harv, and have him do the yearly post of the classic TBN tractor animation

 

[Machold]

What happens if you leave the 500 lbs box off the back end? Same, better, worse?

 

[Mounted Madness]

I have a B3030HSDC. :thumbsup:

Like you, I have and continue to experience what you have described. With a load in the FEL, no matter the weight on the rear, the steering is stiff at least, bordering on difficult as the load is increased.:confused2:

4x4 increases the steering resistance and when you add either asphalt or concrete as your driving surface, it is worse.

This has been my experience from pretty much the first day of ownership, and from my perspective, suggests I'm
1. overloaded,
2. under balanced,
3. or its the nature of the beast.

My machine has less then 80 hours on it and frankly, I don't find it any more then a minor annoyance...I just work around it.

I'll follow this thread just to make sure I'm not dealing with a future and potentially major failure, though I still have 2+ years of warranty left. :thumbsup:

 

[hazmat]

not as much difference as you'd expect with vs. without rear ballast.

Mounted Madness - very similar description, except with mine, on asphalt it requires substantial manual input to make the tires turn, almost beyond my strength if the tractor is stationary.

I'll get up under the tractor this weekend - too dark these days after work.

Seems that a hydraulic pressure gauge isn't all that expensive, so I'll be ordering one.

 

[lawn_king]

My 3030 did the same thing, i never did figure it out?