Mitsubishi MT 2201 FD Leaks on both sides of steering column

[Chukk Bruursema]

Hi there,

I just put some money down on a tractor that checks out excellently on all fronts as far as I can tell except for a frothy trans or hydraulic fluid out of ports on both sides of the steering column. I tried to see if I could I could make it worse by steering hard left and right on the wheel, it didnt seem to make a difference. But on running it for awhile, there was enough fluid coming out to stay on the pedal deck and drip on the ground. The points it is coming out of are 2 ports, one on each side. I am kicking myself for not snapping an image of it for a more accurate description. ( I will update the pics next I get out there)

My best guess so far, is that it would be a steering box gasket, and would probably need to be replaced, or rebuilt if there is a kit for it.

I tried finding this topic to no avail, apologies if this is a repeat post.

If any of y'all have any information that might shed some light, that would be appreciated. :2cents:

 

[PILOON]

Well obviously you refer to power steering since it leaks.
The 'steering box' would then be an orbital valve.
Could be 'O' rings, gasket or bad hose, all of which can be rectified.
Heck might just be a loose bolt that holds the valve segments closed.
If it basically works but leaks that should be an easy fix.

Good luck!

LOL, wish I had that problem, my steering is 'armstrong'.

 

[Kernopelli]

I am not personally familiar with any of the Mitsubishi power steering systems but I think there is a good chance that your's is the same one Mitsubishi used on the MT250 and the International Harvester 254. Look at the IH 254 tractor steering box parts diagrams Case Parts | Buy Online & Save to get a good idea of how it's designed and what may be leaking. The one thing that makes me scratch my head is neither my I&T manual for the MT250 or the Case IH diagrams of the valve show the supply and return ports on the unit. Since you mentioned "ports", I suspect those are the hydraulic fluid supply return connection ports. Did the ports have metal hydraulic lines going into them?

 

[Chukk Bruursema]

Yes I should of noted that it does have power steering. I will have to do some investigating on it and see what is happening under the "hood". I might post some images in the thread when I get back on it, once the rain clears up here. Im gonna have to remember the "armstrong" steering. I like that. Thanks for the input.

 

[Chukk Bruursema]

Thanks for the thought on the steering potentially being the same as a MT250. Not being familiar with what to call the zone where the leaks are, I will post some photos, as I mentioned in the reply to Piloon. Thanks for giving it a thought.

 

[Chukk Bruursema]

Attached are some images ( if I have used the attachment function correctly) of the aforementioned leaks. I did get a small clue yesterday on it, I think I saw a spurt come out when I shifted from 1st to 2nd drive gear on a hill and maybe it is an overflow on the transmission of the drive speed gearbox. the weep holes are not threaded, and I wonder if a small plastic cap fell out of each side? I am kind of shooting in the dark with it, and maybe barking up the wrong tree? hah.

 

[Kernopelli]

Hard to tell from pics but it kind of looks like the leak is below any steering hydraulics and forward of the trans case. That would mean the leak is in the clutch housing though.....which shouldn't have oil in it ( I'm guessing the 2201 is a dry clutch like all the other small Mit's tractors I've had). I think seeing it spurt while shifting may be the giveaway that it's a leak from the trans case. It does look like a bolt or plug is missing in the pics. Your cases appear a little different than mine but my MTE2000D does have two bolts in the top, front corners of the side portion of the trans case ( looks something like what yours is missing). I would fish deeper in the ports and see if there are threads deeper in the casting that would suggest it is simply a bolt missing.

 

[Chukk Bruursema]

Hey Kernopelli,

Thanks so much for the advice. Yeah, I kind of figured that it would have bolts on the ports as well. Odd how both sides are missing them if that is the case. I believe it must be the trans. I think I will wait until I get my manuals in the mail to see if I can make better sense of it with a diagram, hopefully. I have only had the thing for 3 day, and am pretty excited to get it tuned up and in good working order. I will spend some time with it this weekend and suss it out more in hopes of providing enough info for y'all smart tractor folks to have some bearing to help with diagnosis. Cheers!

 

[Chukk Bruursema]

Well I sprung for a manual, figured this wouldn't be the first quandary I would have. Turns out part #24 in the diagram is just a plug. I sure appreciate y'all chiming in.