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

quadmaster50 · Feb 18, 2015

Hello guys, Names michael.

After owning a deere 4100 HST for 5 years and zero issues i decided to upgrade to the 4300 HST.... I love the older compacts....

I bought the 4300 about two weeks ago from a really cool guy that sells compacts on the side.. I noticed it was hard to steer as soon as i fired it and it is HARD near impossible to turn at a idle.. Bumping throttle to 1500-1800 RPM allows for what in my mind is more normal... pushing it to 2200+ id say is good....

Its been fully serviced by the guy, all new filters and fluid..
He knocked off a few hundred bucks for me to buy a good used pump as we both agreed it wasn't normal. I got a good used pump on it from a tractor wrecker. I put it on to night and there is ZERO difference.. I about cried..

I called john deere and followed there instruction on simple checks.. seeing if it would turn with engine off means the steering motor is good and isn't leaking. Holding the steering wheel all the way to the left or the right and holding it with engine running at full speed with 8lbs of torque on the steering will nut will tell you if he front ram seals are good.

Im at a loss...... I see 5-6 people on this forum has had the same issues though hours of searching and they always say they will report back with problem and never do.
Im in this for the haul.

beenthere · Feb 18, 2015

I don't have that issue with my 4300.
Might be a good time to get the service tech manual for self diagnosing. Or just rev up the engine if that works for steering, and wait for the rest of the problem to develop into something more traceable. (and I don't like that very well either, and would rather find the cause)

Seems you need to find out where the oil pressure is falling below specs and causing the problem. May need a test gauge and find out where the test points are at. Good luck..

mddorange · Feb 19, 2015

:welcome:
To the site from Alabama. Please keep that cold air up there. It got down to 14 F this morning.

oldnslo · Feb 19, 2015

Hard steering is typically from lack of flow available. Increasing the engine RPM's results in easier steering supports that theory.

Like beenthere says, possibly get a service manual so that you look at there diagnostic procedures.

samhudson3 · Feb 19, 2015

Welcome to TBN. I've got a 4300, and not had this issue. Good luck!

quadmaster50 · Feb 19, 2015

Thanks guys, been on the phone when multiple deere dealers and no one has any idea. There only suggestion is more or less throw some parts at it.
The intake for the fluid for the steering pump is also used for the loader and its fine. Id imagine its not a restriction but I'm going to remove suction screen in transmission and clean just to eliminate the possibility

rekees4300 · Feb 19, 2015

I have 4300 and steering works with one finger. Looked at owner's manual and this is what troubleshooting section says

IF STEERING NOT WORKING CHECK:

1. Improper tire inflation
2. Steering linkage needs lubrication
3. Excessive play in steering - See your John Deere Dealer
4. Bent wheel spindles - See your John Deere Dealer

quadmaster50 · Feb 19, 2015

rekees4300 said:
I have 4300 and steering works with one finger. Looked at owner's manual and this is what troubleshooting section says

IF STEERING NOT WORKING CHECK:

1. Improper tire inflation
2. Steering linkage needs lubrication
3. Excessive play in steering - See your John Deere Dealer
4. Bent wheel spindles - See your John Deere Dealer

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

beenthere · Feb 19, 2015

And the 4300 does have two pumps... one for steering, IIRC.

super55 · Feb 19, 2015

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.