PT1445 20 hrs, Lost steering!

[SpringHollow]

I was envisioning "Ramming Speed" as you full speed into the pile.

Ken

 

[J_J]

I was envisioning "Ramming Speed" as you full speed into the pile.

Ken

A lot people do this and wonder what happened to their cylinders, not realizing that the bucket produces a mechanical force on the cylinder to make that cylinder into a ram, and perhaps blow out a hose, fitting, and I have seen the ends of the cylinder popped off for some unknown reason.

" I wonder why my seals are leaking now that I have abused the machine, etc "

Carl broke the end off his tilt cylinder awhile back, and after looking at the geometry, I think I can see why.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I think know how you broke it. You got a rock up between the cylinder and the tractor, and turned. The hose is cut because it was crushed between the rock and the body of the tractor.

It is also possible that there is a design flaw with your PT. As it is made by hand, there might be a chance that the location of the tabs that hold the steering cylinder are welded too close to the body. When you turn the chasis strikes the tube. Doubtful, but you should look at this.

It is going to be VERY hard to see the oil level in your system. Take a flashlight.

Can you discuss the sequence of events, and the time from when you noticed the steering fail to the time you shut it down. You probablly have 10 gallons or so of oil before you get into trouble, that would be about a minute of time if you were running PTO, probably more on the other circuits.

For my tractor my weak link is the roll over mechanism. I have too much force with 65HP for the front lift system, which is probably designed to survive not much more than the abuse a 1430 can take. (30HP).

Also, do you know how to replace these hoses? They both run up to your steering column. This is NOT fun. Is the other hose toast, like is the end of it missing or does it still have a connector.

Here is my recommendation on running the hoses, and I think this is from JJ. Get yourself a barrel connector,something that is male, male on both sides. Hook your new hose up to the old hose and pull it through the tunnel. You need to take off all the protective covers (black with 7/16 bolts) and I would take it from the tunnel all the way up to both sides of your steering control, as well as take off the protective side plates down by your feet.

If you can get someone to come out and help you, you will be happier. Not only will you be easier to pull the hoses, it will give you someone to yell at when it goes south. Do one hose at a time.

I think pulling it from the cylinder to the steering will be easier, but it is kinda 6 of one.

This repair is easy, so don't sweat it too much. Just hard to get the hoses undone from the steering column. Do only one at a time. btw

Hmmm. Now that I look at my pix I am trying to wonder if you have to go all the way up to the steering with the hoses. There was this weird junction that appears in the bottom of one of the pix..

Whatever, you will figure it out. Each PT is different so it will be interesting to see why this went south...

 

[PT1445Farmer]

J_J,
Good suggestion. Will do. I can feel my blood pressure lowering already.

 

[PT1445Farmer]

WF, J_J, Toy et.al.
I think it might have been a few minutes, maybe 3 or 4 between when I noticed the steering was gone and when I finally shut her down. The PTO was definitely not on. WF, your rock theory would account for the serious damage to the PT frame. No problems before this so I think it is the rock and not a manufacturing defect. Because the fluid was coming out one hose, only when that valve was live would there be fluid gushing, so I figure.
Monday at O'dark thirty, I will be waist deep in this repair with my flash light, oil check rod, male-male adapter per J_J, new hoses, new cylinders, and some lite rock playing to keep me cool while I count up the damage before going in to suture her up.
Going to keep my shotgun handy, since only the wild turkeys and this domesticated one will be in the field that early. Might as well hunt for dinner while hidden in my PT.

 

[J_J]

If I had been thinking more, I should have recommended the reusable fittings to repair a section of the hose and then you could have driven it back to the shop for a permanent repair, but it seems like you have it under control..

 

[PT1445Farmer]

J_J,
Not sure I have it under control, though I plan to be there next week. Good idea on the reusable connections.
Coming up with a repair prep and process sheet. No room for error.
Will keep everyone posted.

 

[toy]

Toy - Not sure I follow what you are referring to with a left hand drill bit, easy out, etc. My plan includes removing and replacing both cylinders. While I might be able to repair the snapped one, it is not a priority at all. That puppy will never be on my PT again, though I might find another light duty project for it.
Going to perform the repair in the field, sticking a tarp around me to find the inevitable dropped parts.

Ksimolo - Ramming the dirt pile is how I thought I was supposed to use the bucket. That is precisely how I loaded my 60 hp Duetz tractor - no problems.
Your idea is better with using the mini-hoe, but if the PT can't handle a standard operation like scooping dirt, I misjudged it. Nothing too dramatic or fast, just setting the bucket lip into the dirt and pushing forward.

Monday will be the big test. I expect this repair to take 3 hours.

You can buy drill bits that to drill with them you drill in reverse. While you are drilling in reverse that is trying to unscrew the broke off part as the drill cuts the metal. Some people don't know that they make such a bit as this but they do and a good hardware store should have them, that is where I got my first set but since then I have bought some at Lowes Lumber. The new cylinders that you get will also have the eyes welded on them also, more than likely. About jamming your machine into the work that is not a good idea no matter what type machine you have. I am not an expert at running the machine by no means but when I start to dig I set the bucket down and push into the load and tilt the bucket up and down as I go sort of the way you would do it if you were using a round pointed shovel seems to work for me. Jamming into the work will first of all break things, and if you are not hitting the work straight on it will cause most of the force to be put on one side or the other. Parts do wear out under normal wear and tear but if you have a larger machine that has brass bushings and you can see that there is slack in the bushing and it is egg shapped that will show where the most force is being applied to the joint, if the larger pt's have these brass bushings it is cheaper to replace them when you first notice the slack. I have the 425 pt and I don't think it has bushings, I don't know about the larger machines but so far on mine I haven't had to take anything loose the only problem that I have had is it had a break in the roll over bar when it was new and they fixed it under warranty. Other than that I haven't had any issues with my machine that I can remember all I have had to do is the normal service work. Someone on the forum said that they did the 8 hour service every 5 hours which I thought was a good idea and have been doing my service on that schedule ever since. Hope you get your machine going soon with the two new steering jacks and keep us posted what you use the two old jacks for.

 

[marrt]

Was the cylinder hitting the side of your tractor when you turn all the way to the left? It looks like it even bent the plating. If so, this is the source of your problem.

 

[PT1445Farmer]

Toy - Have several of those bits in my machine shop, so will keep one handy if I see the need during the repair. Also, I am going to modify my technique for loading the bucket. Was definitely working the PT too roughly and have learned an expensive lesson.

About bending the plate or frame..If the cylinder does not fit, then I have another repair. I think the cylinder was caught while the other cylinder forced the PT to the right and the broken cylinder was caught and bent the plate.
Will know more on Monday.

I expected my PT to work with nothing but maintenance for years. Not using it for serious farming or anything. Already that wishful thinking has been set aside for the reality of keeping the engine from overheating, going through a huge challenge at my 8 hour maintenance, and now this. Still made the right decision though. When it works, there is nothing better.