Steering Hydraulic leak jd4300

Boondoggle · Jul 9, 2015

I was mowing last weekend with my JD 4300 compact utility tractor and noticed the steering wasn't responding, and looked down and had hydraulic fluid leaking. It is leaking from one of the steering hydraulic hoses. How easy is that to fix and replace myself?

beenthere · Jul 9, 2015

Sorry to hear that. I have the 4300 as well, so will be interested in which hose is leaking.

As to "how easy", can't say without looking at it, nor without knowing what is "easy" or not for you.

I would certainly get the hose, and try.

Also, if me I would use my service manual too.

Boondoggle · Jul 9, 2015

Where can I get a service manual? I suppose from my JD dealer.
I hope to work on it tonight, and remove the belly lawn mower, and disconnect the hose and then I can examine it to see if that is the problem. My local JD dealer said they would have to order the fitting, and make the hose.

beenthere · Jul 9, 2015

Depends on which of the hoses is leaking. Is it up near the steering wheel or at the hyd. steering cylinder... ??

Google the service technical manual for some likely found on eBay. I did get mine through the dealer and it is on a CD.

If you go to jdparts.com (free registration) and put in model # 4300, you can go to the alpha listing and find the "hose, steering" and identify the part no.
Looks like they come with fittings.

Boondoggle · Jul 9, 2015

I removed the leaking flexible hydraulic hose from the 2 ends. I had to remove the lower radiator hose to get at it, and there was a rigid hose clamp that I removed, but not sure how I am going to put that clamp back on when I begin to put this back together. all radiator fluid leaked out, and I will need to bring in the hose to find a replacement. not very user friendly disassemble, and it is going to be much harder to reassemble.

beenthere · Jul 9, 2015

So apparently this is a hose to the hydraulic steering cylinder that you speak of.
Good luck with the exchange for a new one.

Here is a schematic of the steering hose connections from the tech manual. Assume you have hydrostatic drive, not gear, so you have the oil cooler.

Boondoggle · Jul 10, 2015

Thanks for the schematic. I have the hydrostatic drive. I don't know if I have the oil cooler, but I know these lines are not run in the most direct rout, and they are not so simple to remove and replace. Do you know if I have to worry about air in the line, or anything like that during re-assembly?

beenthere · Jul 10, 2015

After reassembly, just work the different parts of the hyd. system (steering, tranny, 3 ph, and SCV's) and the air will work itself out. Keep an eye on the hyd. fluid level as you go along.

Your oil cooler is behind the battery and ahead of the radiator. That cooler needs to be kept a distance from the battery or the battery acid will eat away at it. Is a reason the battery needs the cover with tube that vents away the acid fumes that come off, and the battery hold-downs keeping it as far forward as possible.

And things are packed in tight, as it is called a "compact" utility tractor

Boondoggle · Jul 10, 2015

I will have to take a look at the oil cooler. I believe my battery is in the compartment loose, and not secured.
I am also having problems with my loader. It is slow, and requires me to rev up the engine to high rpm's to move it. the bucket loader use the same hydraulic system.

beenthere · Jul 10, 2015

Same system... and need to ask when was the tranny fluid changed last? Also the filter, as well as the screen cleaned? The screen picks up debris and should be removed and cleaned when tranny oil and filter are changed. About 7 gal of oil in the tranny/hyd system.
I think my FEL has as much lift at idle as it has at higher rpm.
There are two hyd. pumps, one for power steering and the other for the rest of the hydraulics.

And secure that battery...