GX345 steering problem ?

Rebs · May 24, 2014

I apologize for asking so many questions but I just bought this JD used and want to make sure all is well with it while the dealer is willing to fix anything that is not right.

The steering wheel is a 3 spoke with the John Deere name on one of the spokes. When mowing sometimes the john deere name is on the right side and sometimes it is on the left side as if the steering could be loose with the steering wheel off by half a turn. With the engine not running there appears to be no play or slop in the steering linkage, a slight turn of the steering wheel and the wheels start to move. Would this be normal or not ?
Seems funny to me that when going straight forward the steering wheel could be off by half a turn.

Rebs · May 24, 2014

Better explanation. The steering wheel has three spokes, one at the twelve o'clock position,one at the four o'clock position with the name john deere on it, and one at the eight o'clock position. When mowing in a straight line sometimes the spoke with the john deere name on it is in the four o'clock position and at other times it is in the eight o'clock position. This is a variation of three quarters of a turn on the steering wheel. There doesn't appear to be anything loose in the steering linkage. Does this model have electronically controlled steering ? Does the power transfer from one rear wheel to the other during a turn ? Is there a hydraulic steering control valve that could be bad ? This has me stumped. This is my first JD with power steering, my other JD has manual steering.

whis · May 24, 2014

I would not worry about it, don't think anything is wrong

Rebs · May 24, 2014

What makes it like that ?

whis · May 25, 2014

I can't type well enough to explain it but I really don't think anything is wrong. I sure wouldn't lose sleep over it

Rebs · May 25, 2014

Ok Thank you for the replies, I appreciate it.

RG1 · May 26, 2014

It is normal. They all do that when they have hydrostatic steering. Turn the wheel all the way to either right or left while the tractor is running, and slowly the wheel will keep on going even though the front wheels are against their stops. You can turn the wheel (stiff to do, but can be done) with the engine off and realign the spokes to where you think they should be, and by the time you are done mowing the next time, they will be off again.