PT425 Steering Valve Noises

MossRoad · Oct 24, 2012

The steering valve on my PT425 is making some very loud squealing noises. It makes them when I turn the wheel AND it makes them as the tractor goes over uneven terrain when pressure on the steering rams changes. So I took off the access cover to look at it. Nothing out of the ordinary. But with the tractor off, if I turn the wheel, hydraulic fluid started dripping from somewhere on the valve that I cannot see. With the tractor running it does not drip. Weird.

Any ideas???

ponytug · Oct 24, 2012

The sound is cavitation. The cause?... Wear, dirt in the valve,...

Mine leaked for a bit, and then quit. It occasionally "locks", as if it is stuck for a fraction of a second, and continues.

Sorry not to be more help.

All the best,

Peter

woodlandfarms · Oct 25, 2012

Mine did the same thing. Top seal went bad. Couldn;t get it fixed locally so it went to Tazwell. $350 as I remember...

MossRoad · Oct 25, 2012

I was afraid of that. I'll take it out sometime soon and see what's up and report back. I'm still going to use it until it starts leaking under load or until I have time to pull it and diagnose. I need to get firewood this weekend.

J_J · Oct 26, 2012

This will give you an idea of what the steering valves cost.

Surplus Center

MossRoad · Oct 26, 2012

Yeah, I've seen that. OUCH!

woodlandfarms · Oct 26, 2012

I am in Miami for the month, so I don't have my paper records. I am guessing at the 350, and it would be an all in price with shipping. My steering control also may be beefier / different than yours. But yeah, it squeeled for a bit then blew big.

Carl

Leejohn · Oct 26, 2012

I also have a new steering head. I think it's the CHARLYNN 211-1008 well check and see for sure. I also have a short steering shaft that fits it. If Carls doesn't work out and you are still interested just email me.

MossRoad · Oct 30, 2012

Well, good news is I think I found a direct replacement part for the steering valve. I did a search for Ross 5 port steering valve and first hit was a guy that was converting a john deere 317 lawn tractor to power steering using the valve off of a JD 430. Photos show the exact same valve off of my Power Trac PT425. Same ports, Ross logo and patent number. I have found used ones on e-bay for under $200. I also found a bunch of parts, seals, etc... on-line. Tomorrow I'm going to make some calls to local shops to see if they rebuild them. If not, I'll try to figure which seals are bad and how much they will cost.

So, for all you PT425 owners, I think it's a Ross 5 port power steering valve that is used on JD model 318, 322, 332, 420 and 430 tractors. :thumbsup: