Steering Cylinders

[Beechwood]

Could someone tell me if the steering cylinders on the PT-422-425 machines are single or double acting ?? .
I'm wondering why PT built the 180's with only one steering cylinder. Doesn't this put undue stress on the articulated joint when you attempt to steer from a stand still (not rolling) with a loaded 7cu/ft bucket?
as opposed to having two steering cylinders(for every action theres a equal and opposite reaction)

 

[pairodime]

Current model 422 has a single steering cylinder, 425 has two.

 

[FOURTEEN]

"" Doesn't this put undue stress on the articulated joint ""


No. Perhaps on the steering cylinder, or its attachments, but the joint doesn't know how many cylinders are pushing on the tubs. In a situation where the wheels can not move laterally, the twin cylinders would apply more stress to the joint, not less!

Also, since there is less weight on the rear wheels when the bucket is loaded, less force is needed to steer.
Note that unloaded, the front and rear wheels tend to move equally lateral when the steering wheel is turned. However, fully loaded, the front wheels tend to retain their position while the rear wheels move laterally twice as much.

See how easy my PT-425 is to articulate when its bucket is fully loaded!!!!

Apparently the PT-425's overall heavy duty commercial construction, 10% more weight, 33% more lift capacity, and 98% higher price justify the use of twin steering cylinders!!

Just another reason to go for the PT-425, if at all possible!!

Cheap usually buys adaquate. Expensive hopefully buys heavy duty.

You may not always get what you think you paid for, but you will always pay for what you get!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rip]

Welcome to the forum Beechwood, and to answer your first specific question; yes, all the steering cylinders on PTs are double acting whether one or two are used. One works, two are heavier duty.

 

[stray]

Here is a pic of my 422's stearing cylinders. It was bought new in January of 2003.

 

[stray]

maybe here. i'll try again

 

[Beechwood]

Stray;
Thanks for posting the picture. That answers my question. Now if I could get someone who owns a PT180 to post a picture showing the same overhead view..( for comparison) I think that would take away any negitive feelings I have about the 180's steering set up.

 

[MossRoad]

FOURTEEN's correct. The more load you have in the bucket, the less pressure there is on the steering components as more of the weight of the tractor is transferred off the rear tires and shifted to the front tires. It is a weird feeling to have the bucket on the ground, turn the steering wheel, expect the bucket to move but instead you notice the rear of the tractor sitting next to you! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. You get familiar with it real quick and soon learn how to not overload your bucket and/or how to steer right at the pucker fail over point. Just go slow until you are comfortable with it.

As for one steering ram VS two... just take the picture of the overhead shot of the two steering rams and cross one out of the picture. I believe it is set up the exact same way, although I do not know which side is missing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Beechwood]

My main reason for wanting to see the same shot of a 180 is to see if PT put mounting brackets on both sides. So down the road if I wanted to mount a second steering piston/cylinder , the brackets are there to do so. Hopefully a
PT180 owner will chime in and answer that for me.

 

[MuncyBob]

FYI...the steering cylinder is on the left of the newer 422's. I was suprised to see only 1 but thus far have not had any problems navigating around with a load on(that didn't come out right LOL!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif