Kubota 9540 steering drifts

[KEEPBALINTX]

When I take the tractor out on the road I have to slowly correct the steering continuously to the left (it's drifting to the right) to where I'm making more than a 360 degree correction over about 2 miles. At lower working speeds the steering just feels "loose" but controllable. Is that just a normal power steering thing with tractors out on the road? I have about 800 hours on it. I'm usually driving with a 995 lb mower on the 3PH.

 

[skyhook]

Lift the front wheels and check your tie rod ends, (check for play).
Sometimes just a re-tightening of the nut will fix it, maybe it had no cotter pin in it.

 

[TripleR]

A bit of drift might be acceptable. but not to that extent, our M8540 has no noticeable drift while going between farms.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Many tractors drift so I wouldn't worry about it. It's really noticeable when driving straight on a side slope.

 

[KEEPBALINTX]

Many tractors drift so I wouldn't worry about it. It's really noticeable when driving straight on a side slope.

Thanks, yeah it never drifts in the other direction, which i think it would if it was a steering issue and there's no play when driving slow. Maybe it's a steering alignment issue?

Jeff

 

[art]

It is an issue with the hand pump or steering cylinder. Many tractors do it and it can be quite costly if both pieces need to be changed to correct it if you miss the right one the first time.

 

[ovrszd]

I had to road mine about 4 miles the other day. On crowned gravel roads. I noticed if I was on the right slope it drifted right. If on the left slope it drifted left. About the same drift as you are talking about. I just used it to entertain my mind while driving. So,,, if I drove in the middle of the road, it stayed straight!!!

 

[KEEPBALINTX]

I found the steering cylinder on the parts diagram $714!! Would there be fluid leaking to indicate the problem or is it internal? I can't find the "hand pump" . Is that part near the steering cylinder?
Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll bet the steering drift on a full hydrostatic such as your tractor is the steering valve internal leakage below the steering wheel

 

[ovrszd]

Hydraulic "drift" is rarely in the cylinder. Most likely it's within the actuator. Since it appears to be a fairly common problem, I'm guessing there's nothing that can be done. I guess you could try buying a new actuator but it'll be a LOT more expensive than the cylinder!!!

As to your cylinder question, yes it's possible for the cylinder to bypass internally. But if that were the case it would drift both directions.