Old to Me, Steiner 230 questions

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Maybe I should call this thread....."This old Steiner"

I just bought an old Steiner 230 that had been sitting for 4 years, on a gov't site. The guy there said that no one there knew why it was parked. It is quite rusted, as it came from near the Texas coast.

I am trying to determine if it is worth repairing, or start selling parts off of it. I am leaning to repair it, if I can get the Kubota diesel running.

Does anyone have an owner's, service, or parts manual? I've left a message on the Steiner website contact page....and am awaiting reply. Steiner parts was Schiller Grounds care, but as of the end of October 2020, Doosan Bobcat is taking over, and as of yet, it doesn't show Steiner...Only Bobcat. Their support page is "Site Under Maintenance". This probably explains why Messick's parts site is offline???

I am totally ignorant of these machines, meaning I don't even know what I don't know.

Yes, I realize it uses a lot of hydraulics, and has a shaft that runs down the middle of it to an electric PTO clutch which drives a belt/pulley system.

The kubota has oil in it, and I can turn it over by hand (not locked up).

I will try to post some pictures as I get time to work on it.

 

[MountainBuck]

I think the mower manual is here:

Steiner Lawn Mower User Manuals Download | ManualsLib

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think the mower manual is here:

Steiner Lawn Mower User Manuals Download | ManualsLib

Thank you, that is the manual for the mower deck. Now I need the owners and service manuals.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Looking forward to your progress reports, Kyle. Be a shame to part that beast out, and I wish you luck with what you find out.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was contemplating getting one of these for the lady friend's place a while back as I have many compatible attachments for my 430MAX.

Being DIESEL would be the selling point of your machine to put some time and possibly money into it. If anything like the 420s and 430s, they are built like a brick sheit house!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

sitrep: I had left my information on the Steiner website and a nice guy emailed me back and attached the owners and parts manual .pdf files. He said there is not a service manual available on his end. I wonder if some of the old dealers might have them??? The email had the don't share these legalese, so if you need a manual, just fill out the contact info on the steinerturf.com website.

Industrial, it is built like a brick sheet house.

Spare time and spare funds will slow me down, so have patience. I hope this thread to be informative for the next guy.

So some parts are really expensive....Sundstrand pump, hydro tranny, steering pump, but most parts are not marked up crazy high (especially if they might be new old stock NOS).

Here's a link to Messicks parts: I don't know what will change as it phases over to Doosan ownership.

Steiner Models Parts Listings

TxDon will be glad to know that the mower deck will flip up to easily access the blades, but it looks like it will take some strength.

Found a cheap diesel compression tester kit at Harbor Freight. It comes with multiple adapters, but not sure if there is one for the Kubota D905. .....I need to take back the crappy come-along I bought there last week.

Diesel Engine Compression Tester 20 Pc.

 

[MountainBuck]

Since it is a Kubota diesel, I did some research to find it would be the 28hp 1122cc 3-cyl model D1105, or some variant.

Those operation and workshop manuals depend on the variant and can all be found here: Kubota Engine User Manuals Download | ManualsLib

 

[Industrial Toys]

That has more HP than what is used in their 420 and 430 (D737) which could be underpowered in certain mowing applications. The larger engine is far superior and smother running. I didn't know they used the better engine in the 230.

 

[txdon]

It's a diesel.
View attachment 674826

It looks to be a D905-E Kubota engine.

Good deal on the flip up mower!!!

When it flips up does it stay up?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Are you man enough to flip it up? I had a 72" Steiner SD mower, and there was little chance I could flip it up without help.

 

[MountainBuck]

Specs for the Steiner 230 can be found here: TractorData.com Steiner 23 tractor information

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Since it is a Kubota diesel, I did some research to find it would be the 28hp 1122cc 3-cyl model D1105, or some variant.

Those operation and workshop manuals depend on the variant and can all be found here: Kubota Engine User Manuals Download | ManualsLib

I wish it was the bigger engine, but alas, it is the D905 E model like Don posted. Click on his link for the picture. I believe the later models offered the bigger engine. I admit the 72" mower looks like a lot of mower for the size of engine, but with hydrostatic, you can slow down easy when you hit the thick stuff.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Not much to report on, because it gets dark before I get home, and I don't have room in my garage yet for a 1400 lb beast that won't move on it's own.

I contacted Messicks to see if they might have a service manual, or might would copy their service department's copy. NO GO.

I need to get the fuel tank out, to clean the gunk in it. It is under a major piece of sheet metal that goes under the seat, across the whole width. It is the piece that you can connect a ROPS to, if you had one. So it is substantial, and has a lot of bolts. Some are almost impossible to get to. I have all but the last 2 impossible bolts out. Oh, and 1 bolt/nut stripped on me. I will have to get the grinder out to cut the head off.

I will need to disconnect the main drive shaft coming off the motor to try and start it.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Does anyone know what this is? the long brown tube?
My unit has some sort of Parker hydraulic dampener/accumulator. I don't see it on the parts list.

 

[MountainBuck]

View attachment 675521

Does anyone know what this is? the long brown tube?
My unit has some sort of Parker hydraulic dampener/accumulator. I don't see it on the parts list.

What do the two stickers say?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Hard to read, google search comes up with nothing on p/n.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Steiner sitrep: I finally got the middle section sheet metal part off (that goes from one side to the other under the seat), just so that I could get the fuel tank out. I had to pry it up about 4" to get the fuel tank to clear. Got the tank some what cleaned, reinstalled. Didn't have new fuel line handy, so I put the old ones back on. Did I mention the tank had about a quart of water in it because a varmint had chewed a hole in the filler cap??? I changed out the filter before the fuel pump, and drained out the spin on fuel filter just before the engine. Each had water.

Sprayed some cleaner solution on it and pressure washed off much of the grime. Let it dry and then sprayed some rustoleum rusty metal primer where the fuel tank sits and underneath the battery.

A friend came over and helped me for an hour or more. We pulled the glow plugs, 2 out of 3 work. We will leave them out to turn over the motor with fresh oil, not putting a bind on anything until fresh oil is in the bearings.

Started draining the old oil, which was clean, but black and the level was good on the dipstick. The Steiner has a quick drain valve for draining oil, but there's nothing quick about it when the oil is cool. So we wait until I get more time.

Need: 1 glow plug, a hot battery, fill with fresh Delo oil, fill with diesel, a 4 wire relay and male plug for it......and so much more......say a few prayers and see what happens.

Still don't know what was the cause of the previous owners just parking it and letting it sit.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

What do the two stickers say?

It is a Parker piston accumulator. Many are charged up to 150psi on the dry end of the piston. Still not sure of it's reason for being.

I found it!

https://www.messicks.com/st/3507

Item #37

It is T'eed into the left most hydraulic spool. The manual they sent me only has a 2 spool, mine has 3 handle levers. Middle one I believe is for the hydraulic accessories on the front available pair of outlets. Right is for front attachment Float/Lower/Lift. So, not sure what the left one does just yet? Could it be some sort of cushion for the lift cylinder??? It has a strange decal associated to it with a rainbow arrow pointing to the front end, and one pointing to the back???

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Okay, I am now guessing that it is to help control the downforce or lack thereof of the front end lift system.

 

[johara1]

You sure it isn't a hydraulic weight transfer system? ..... jim