Deere 4300 steering hard to turn at low rpm.. Please help me out

[dfkrug]

Ive checked this stuff out. Thank you.
Im to the point where it must be a relief valve in the steering motor itself.. There's nothing left

Well, there is another possibility: worn piston seal on the steering hyd cylinder. To get adequate
steering force, you need more flow than you get at low engine speeds. How many hours on
your tractor?

As I recall, there are 2 different setups for the steering cyl. Early 4300s have a 2-sided cylinder with
a rod sticking out both sides. Later ones had a more conventional cylinder.

Sadly, some of these JD steering cylinders use welded-on caps and have to be cut open to rebuild.
If you have the conventional cyl, consider replacing it with a modified generic unit.

On both of my 4300s, I did not open the cyls. Here is a photo of how we replaced the cyl on
a 955 with a generic unit.

 

[beenthere]

The front hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic pressure to
the steering control unit (SCU). The SCU utilizes an
open center control valve to operate the steering
cylinder. When the steering wheel is turned, the SCU
directs hydraulic pressure to the appropriate steering
cylinder hose, pushing the steering cylinder ram, which
pivots the front spindles and wheels. The SCU has no
relief valve. The SCU and steering cylinder are not
rebuildable, and must be replaced as complete units.

This from the tech manual for the 4300, under "theory of operation". Note the comment about "no relief valve".

I'd suggest getting the tech manual if you are going to pursue this further. Along with a pressure gauge so you can find the different lines and check them out one by one.

 

[samhudson3]

Hey Michael, PM me your email address and I'll email you the tech manual (TM1677).

 

[quadmaster50]

I just checked on my tech manual and they stated it could be an internal leak on the steering cylinder or on the Steering control unit. This is for a 4310 so I do not know if it is the same layout or not. It almost sounds like it could possibly have air in the cylinder but after turning side to side several times it should have bled any in the system out

I don't know if this layout is the same as yours but hopefully it can provide you some assistance.
View attachment 413005

Thank you a ton, Yes the tractors are the same but for the E hydro is via servo.

I think ill double check my front ram and then only thing left is the steering motor at 670.00 GEEZ

 

[quadmaster50]

Well, there is another possibility: worn piston seal on the steering hyd cylinder. To get adequate
steering force, you need more flow than you get at low engine speeds. How many hours on
your tractor?

As I recall, there are 2 different setups for the steering cyl. Early 4300s have a 2-sided cylinder with
a rod sticking out both sides. Later ones had a more conventional cylinder.

Sadly, some of these JD steering cylinders use welded-on caps and have to be cut open to rebuild.
If you have the conventional cyl, consider replacing it with a modified generic unit.

On both of my 4300s, I did not open the cyls. Here is a photo of how we replaced the cyl on
a 955 with a generic unit.

This from the tech manual for the 4300, under "theory of operation". Note the comment about "no relief valve".

I'd suggest getting the tech manual if you are going to pursue this further. Along with a pressure gauge so you can find the different lines and check them out one by one.

Hey Michael, PM me your email address and I'll email you the tech manual (TM1677).

Thanks a ton guys, I'm starting to think it might be the front ram now. I promise ill figure this out.. I want others to be able to search, find this thread and know the out come.

 

[quadmaster50]

Actually, How would i check to see if is the ram? should i turn it all the way to the right and take off the line like that makes it turn the left? so if i do this and no fluid is coming out seals good?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I too have this problem and have hoped for someone to get back online and actually answer the problem's fix for the rest of us.

I have a 4310 Ehydro.

Mine seems to be related to when the oil is cold, and gets better when it gets hot. If I pick up the front wheels with the loader, it still is "stiff".

I'd do some serious searching before I payed over $600 for a new steering pump. Seems at one time long ago, I had found out the name and sourced the part, but mine isn't that bad down south here so I didn't want to pay for a new one.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My 4310 ehydro manual shows a relief valve set at 1500psi that can bypass the power steering valve.

 

[quadmaster50]

Well I went out there and jacked her up. its still had to turn so i figured id see if rod or something was bound up. took hydro lines off and its free and smooth as can be. I hooked lined back up bleed it out and started it back up. Cranked it all the way to the right and cranked the left line. theres flow blowing out the hyrdo line no matter what way i turn it. Some fluid is leaking out ram but its probably just leaking out from being full. I didn't figure the system would move a ton of fluid but it blows a lot out fast... no restriction thats for sure. NO air... just spotless fluid.


Im a little confused by what happened actually... Why would the steering motor push fluid out line wile steering left and right? i put my finger over to see if i could hold it.. ya right.. Is this system fighting its self a little and it takes higher pressure and flow to over come and win the battle?
Like i said... wheels jacked up in air is the same as with loader on sitting..... Im confused


Also Kyle, Yes mine does get a little better when its been used for 30 min or so but not by more than 10% or so but still needs 1500+rpm so steer at all.

Side note.. is this the rebuildable ram or the throwaway?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Link from previous thread

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...98-4410-steering-issue-4410_steering_test-jpg

this is how to test for leakage