steering wheel stiff HST

[cookie12]

I have a 2013 Kioti CS2410 and it was working fine yesterday blowing snow and now today the steering is stiff. It barely turns the tires when you turn the steering wheel. I have checked and added some HST fluid and did not help. Before you could turn the steering wheel with one finger and now you need both hands and it barely turns the wheels. If you engage the FEL while steering it is no longer stiff. The exact same thing happened last year in October. The dealer under warranty replaced the HPL valve and changed out the fluid at just under a 100 hours last year. The tractor is stored in a garage and block heater is plugged in. Has anyone else experienced this or can offer any advice on this situation?

 

[tman1020]

If you let it warm up a good while does that fix the problem? If not can u warm up the whole tractor with a heater or something like that? I have had my bobcat ct225 (ck27) steering do that on very cold days until it warmed up after plowing. It has alleys been ok after a warmup.

 

[boggen]

oil in cold weather = a cold honey / syrup.
oil in warm weather = more of a water / fluid.

fully turning wheels to the locks (left and then right) a couple times should help clear out any cold oil, with warmer oil. ((do this after tractor has a chance to warm up)).

not a clue about tractor you have....
due you have a power steering pump? or is power steering come from a central hyd pump, that also sends fluid to FEL and/or possibly 3 pt hitch? just wondering if you are checking correct location of the fluid for power steering.

 

[TJP89]

oil in cold weather = a cold honey / syrup.
oil in warm weather = more of a water / fluid.

fully turning wheels to the locks (left and then right) a couple times should help clear out any cold oil, with warmer oil. ((do this after tractor has a chance to warm up)).

not a clue about tractor you have....
due you have a power steering pump? or is power steering come from a central hyd pump, that also sends fluid to FEL and/or possibly 3 pt hitch? just wondering if you are checking correct location of the fluid for power steering.

Kioti uses 2 pumps in all their tractors, 1 for steering, 1 for everything else. I believe the hydro fluid is the same for everything. If this a recurrent problem it's probably not the temp, but does the condition improve as the tractor warms up. Does the anything else hydraulic have this problem? Otherwise I would start with the power steering valves, there are several. Also, pop the dash cover off, and check the mechanical linkages of the steering wheel, the proble may not be hydraulic. If that's not it, then unfortunately it's probably the pump. At that point, I believe, the tractor needs to be split so it's time for the dealer. If the tractor is still under warranty, get the dealer to take care of it.

 

[TJP89]

My Kioti has I think 2 years full warranty, and 5 drivetrain, so the warranty should still apply.

 

[cookie12]

Yes there are 2 pumps and it uses the same fluid throughout. After getting under the tractor I followed the hydraulic lines and they go up to where the steering wheel is. There is oil on the lines going up to the steering unit. Believe there may be a leak. The steering pump gets it fluid from the HPL valve which was replaced last year. I have taken it into the dealer today as it is still under warranty. Will let you all know what they find.