Kubota 9540 steering drifts

KEEPBALINTX · Jun 10, 2014

I just searched orange tractor forum and someone said that it is the nature of the hydrostatic steering to drift like this, left or right depending on which side of the road you're on. They test drove a BRAND NEW M135X and it exhibited the drifting problem. I need to try it on the left side of the road to see if it will drift in that direction too.

Jeff

ovrszd said:
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.

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2014

Yeah, that's what I said earlier, mine drifts the direction of the road tilt.

KEEPBALINTX · Jun 10, 2014

I copied this quote:

The drifting is just the way hydrostatic steering does. It completely depends on hyd fluid to operate, there's no steering rod going to the front wheels. Some are worse than others but with this type steering you are constantly turning the steering wheel to keep it in a straight line. You would really notice this if you have a steering knob, it's never in the same location.

It is what it is I guess!!

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2014

Yep. My John Deere mowing tractor does the same thing.

TripleR · Jun 10, 2014

It may be the "nature of the beast" to drift some, but according to my Kubota shop foreman what was described by the OP sure seems excessive. I initially noticed drift on one of my new Kubotas and discussed it with him.

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2014

I played with mine the other day. If I drove over against the shoulder where the road was sloped pretty good, and tried to keep the tractor going straight, it would constantly need the steering wheel very slowly turned. Didn't matter whether I crowded the left shoulder or the right shoulder, acted the same. Just guessing, I could have turned the steering wheel a full turn in a mile or maybe a little farther.

The Fred · Jun 10, 2014

Richard his complaint is that the steering wheel slowly moves counter-clockwise. Since there is no direct linkage between the steering wheel and the tie rods because it is driven by fluid, it is normal. Both my tractors do this.

Fred

xring100 · Jun 10, 2014

My M8540 slowly drifts as well the suicide knob is never in the same spot I checked alignment. And then realized there was no mechanical connection.

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2014

Fred, yeah I accept it as normal behavior as well. Although some are reporting that theirs does not.

Dave, yep, if you blow a hose going to the steering cylinder you are out of business!!!