Old to Me, Steiner 230 questions

[RedNeckGeek]

Diesel engine oil goes black pretty quick, Kyle. It's a good sign, as it would be a coffee with cream color if it had been contaminated with water. The water in the fuel tank doesn't sound like good news for the fuel pump, though. Guess you'll know on that one as soon as you hook up a battery and give the starter a try. At least now you're not working on a filthy machine.:thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Here is the fuel tank's filler neck. It also has a protrusion on the bottom. This is what makes it so hard to get out.



Here's how I prayed up the main sheet metal with a crowbar under the back angle iron support.


I needed every millimeter to get the tank out.
Finally. Got it cleaned, replaced pre fuel pump filter, emptied main fuel filter.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So under the dash, there was a five wire relay. I ended up replacing it because every single prong was totally rusted off.

I had to replace this female harness attachment because the old male prongs had rusted into it.

 

[txdon]

Thanks for the update on the restoration!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Steiner sitrep:
I was really worried so much about the whole thing, because any one of about a dozen things could possibly cause me to part it out.

I had drained the old engine oil out, and re-filled with Delo and a new filter.

Checked the hydraulic fluid level, and it looked really clean. Does the Steiner official tranny oil have any dye or color in it? This was amber clear on the dip stick, and right up to the full mark. I see they recommend a brand from Texas Refinery Corp.

I still had the glow plugs out, because I wanted to try and turn it over for a minute to get oil into the all the right places before putting a strain on the engine. I was worried about the whole electrical system being in a totally bad state, after seeing the relay prongs totally rusted in half....

I put a decent 12v battery in it. Said some prayers, and turned the key to the first click and I could hear the fuel pump running, so I turned it to the next click and she started turning over like she's supposed to. The starter and solenoid are good. Check that off the list. I turned it over for maybe 20 seconds at a time like 3 times with a minute in between.....Turned the key to off and put a couple gallons of fresh diesel in it. Turned it on to the first click and it pumped fuel up to the top really quick, so I closed the bleeder after I made sure it didn't have water in it. Then I cranked the engine some more until I saw diesel "mist" shooting out of the glow plug holes on all 3 cylinders. Ok, I had fuel, now, let's see if it has enough compression to start.....I put the glow plugs back in (one of which I know is bad), and noticed the little blue glow plug light is working. Good. So, you turn on the key and wait for the blue glow plug light to go out to start cranking. I could tell by the sound that the starter was having to work harder now. After about 5-10 seconds, it still hadn't started. I turned the key off and back to the first click to let the glow plugs cycle again. Cranked on it again and first one, then 2, then all 3 cylinders fired up, and she's running smooth. I AM STOKED NOW!!! Tachometer works, but lens is fogged up. Let it run for a minute or so, but it started creeping backward on me so I turned it back off. I wanted to check some other things. I had to get the forward/reverse pedal freed up, it needs some lubrication on the linkage. I decided to take off some more sheet metal, and inspection plates to see what all is going on underneath. Got the foot pedal freed and fired it up again. WE HAVE FORWARD AND REVERSE! SO STOKED NOW, don't know if I can contain myself. OH yea, the power steering is working fine too.

The only thing not working yet, is the PTO. It is electric, and hopefully only has a wiring gremlin I hope. I might mess with it Sunday, after church.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So, there is a sticker in front of the seat that talks about the hydraulic accumulator. It says......that there is some sort of weight distribution system, and that is what the left spool lever is.

Oh, and the front attachment lift arm hydraulics are working fine too!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So, I'm going to try and tally up to keep track of what I've spent on it... mainly just for fun. I won't say how much I paid for it.

Don, believe it or not, the hydraulic hoses just had grime and debris on them, and none are leaking yet....knock on wood.

$100. Trip down to get it, gas and including meal and beer for my helper/friend at the coast while we watched the waves roll in.
$50. for harbor freight cheapie come along and some cheapie ratchet straps.
$27. for 2 gallons of Chevron Delo oil
$7 Fram oil filter
$5. Inline fuel filter
$17. For some rust oleum paints, and 1 can of primer I've already used.
$?? Friend gave me 5 pole relay, but I said I owe him lunch now, so not sure what that'll cost me. LOL
$17. For a 5 wire relay harness.


Still have a list of needs. I will go by the junkyard Monday or Tuesday to see what kind of batteries they have. I want to order new flange head bolts and washers.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Here's a link to when it actually started up.

Steiner 230 kubota D905 start up after sitting for long term - YouTube

 

[rswyan]

Nice !

Well done ... :thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Nice !

Well done ... :thumbsup:

Thank you.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Congrats!!

 

[txdon]

Houston, we have lift off!!!

 

[daugen]

:dance1:
outstanding and almost no smoke!
this will motivate you to keep going

I think I can, I think I can...

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thank you Drew.

I have seen pictures of new ones, and that shiny red and black paint make them look better. Maybe time for a rattle can overhaul later. For now, I need to stop the rust in some areas.

More on the weight transfer system. It seems that all the system does, is it gives the operator a means to finely adjust the front lift system while in float. As it gently starts to pick up the front implement (not off the ground), it transfers weight to the drive wheels. I know the 72" deck is pretty heavy, so I hope to see how it manages it....if I can get the pto clutch working.

LOL, my daughter keeps calling it "ugly", so I have nicknamed it "The Beast". Hope I can get it going before the last rose petal falls....

 

[ronjhall]

Thank you Drew.

I have seen pictures of new ones, and that shiny red and black paint make them look better. Maybe time for a rattle can overhaul later. For now, I need to stop the rust in some areas.

More on the weight transfer system. It seems that all the system does, is it gives the operator a means to finely adjust the front lift system while in float. As it gently starts to pick up the front implement (not off the ground), it transfers weight to the drive wheels. I know the 72" deck is pretty heavy, so I hope to see how it manages it....if I can get the pto clutch working.

LOL, my daughter keeps calling it "ugly", so I have nicknamed it "The Beast". Hope I can get it going before the last rose petal falls....

My JD F735 has a similar system for the amount of load that is applied to mower gauge wheels. I keep it in middle of adjustment. If is set it to light mower bounces over rough spots. If set to heavy it scalps any high spot.

 

[johara1]

I know the electric PTO clutch is pricy, I hope it works for you.... Your weight transfer system is it a spring or a hydraulic set up?..... jim

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I know the electric PTO clutch is pricy, I hope it works for you.... Your weight transfer system is it a spring or a hydraulic set up?..... jim

all it does is gently lift up the front attachment, which puts more weight on the big front drive tires.

 

[johara1]

I know what it does but I was wanting to know what system it used with the weight transfer. Most 4 wheel drive ones used vertical springs in front of the hood, ...... jim

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I know what it does but I was wanting to know what system it used with the weight transfer. Most 4 wheel drive ones used vertical springs in front of the hood, ...... jim

I don't know exactly how it works, but I believe the accumulator is attached with a proportioning valve that can be finely adjusted. You put the front implement in "float" mode, then hydraulically you adjust the proportioning valve. The accumulator helps take up the ebb and flow of the attachment riding over uneven ground. This is my best guess at the moment.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The electric PTO was hard to get to, due to rusted bolts that are hard to get at. It was not turning on when I had it running. I had to use my pneumatic air chisel hammer to get the PTO off.

You have to remove the front black plate with the slots, and then you have to remove another plate that runs horizontally in front of the PTO.






I'm glad these things are built with serviceable, commercial grade components...because getting at them is a pain in the neck. You would think after being in production this long, they would have streamlined ease of service. The fact that there are no service manuals, nor many videos or how to's doesn't help.