Massey 1725 steering problem

[10boat]

I was plowing my driveway today and the steering started to get hard and then easy if turned harder. I guess you could say it was skipping.Felt like low oil but was up on gauge glass. Tractor has 300 hrs and is Kept in heated garage. Trans oil and filters changed at 200 hrs. plow down and wheels off ground acts the same. Dont think its the pump but could test pressure. Dont know how to test steering box..Machine has no leaks and pump and box look pretty heavy duty to wear out so fast. If anyone has seen a problem like this I could use advise Thanks

 

[Dmacleo]

try changing steering wheel tilt angle see if it clears up.

 

[JWR]

Could even be the steering wheel slipping on the shaft into the steering valve. Is that slotted for a key? I do not know, would think it would be. Assume your warrantee is out. I suppose worst fear would be some sort of internal failure of the steering valve but especially on a low hour tractor that seems unlikely. No leaks around steering piston seals? Wild possibility of ice somewhere in the external mechanism that you overcome by turning harder? Does that 1725 have bevel gears at each front wheel? Hmmm... strange.

 

[10boat]

Looked at it this afternoon and steering wheel is on properly with no play. I think the problem may be in steering box. Has anyone ever tried to repair one or sent one out for repair. Dont know if there is something in there that could make hard spots when turning

 

[Dmacleo]

is this a GC1725? is no steering box, just orbital valve. binding would normally be in tilt mechanism/dash plastic interfere or in tie rod ends.

 

[JWR]

Can you get it inside in warm temps? If so leave it over night. See if something is iced (water frozen in some unfortunate place.)

 

[10boat]

No ice in heated garage. Dont seem how orbital valve could make it have hard spots on bath directions. Nothing looks bent . maybe piston could cause problems.