Power Steering just quit on TC40D

Qapla · Mar 7, 2015

The power steering was working just fine. We were using the tractor and the power steering had two problems. It seemed to quit steering then it blew what I think is the return line from the steering piston. It is the line that has a hose clamp on it.

We re-secured the line and tightened the clamp. We also had to add hydraulic fluid to the tractor (we also blew a loader line earlier that we had to replace - so we lost a bit of fluid).

The tractor still will not turn. The steering wheel will spin freely in either direction. If we lift the front end off the ground it will attempt to turn the wheels. We can also turn the wheels by hand by grabbing the tire while the front end is raised - but while turning the wheels this way the steering wheel does not turn just because we are turning the wheels.

We were able to get the tractor from the field to where we work on it by "kicking" the front tire in the direction we wanted it to turn while the tractor was moving slowly.

Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Halftrack · Mar 7, 2015

I am seeing a separate power steering tank under the hood for the TC 40D from the parts diagram. Did you check the fluid level in it? It is a combination tank and filter with a rubber stopper/dipstick in the top. If it is low, add NH tranny fluid, then try to bleed the line to the pump by loosening a line while the tractor is NOT running. Once you get the fluid to the pump, retighten, then start at idle and with the steering lifted of the ground, work the steering wheel lock to lock. It may take a while. Good luck.