sterring hard when cold

[fiddlerkelly]

I have had my kubota b2630 model approximately 4 years and this winter is the first time I noticed when starting the machine that the sterring is hard to turn when cold . Once I have been using it for a few minutes the sterring is easy as it normally is. Anyone have this problem before and if they did di you find out what the problem was.

 

[leonz]

I have had my kubota b2630 model approximately 4 years
and this winter is the first time I noticed when starting the
machine that the steering is hard to turn when cold.


Once I have been using it for a few minutes the steering is
easy as it normally is.


Anyone have this problem before and if they did you find
out what the problem was.

The tractor and the tractor oil is cold and that is why you
are having difficulty with the steering from a cold start.
No harm done though.


If you have a block heater you should have it plugged in
during the cold weather or do what I do heat everything
up with my space heater 125,000 B.T.U. of heat works
wonders in 10 minutes.


the steering cylinder is cold and the oil in it is cold as
well and it takes a bit to heat it up as the oil is captive
at all times and is heated by simple friction.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

Well that is a comfort to know that ,but just the same I never experienced this in any past winters but now last winter wasn't much of one.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

Another question about steering , I started the machine up yesterday and noticed that the steering post is a bit sloppy, never noticed this before as I never had to pay attention to the steering aspect of the tractor till my steering became hard when in the cold.

Does anyone else have a sloppy steering column.

Also is there anywhere on the column you should be greasing it .

 

[fiddlerkelly]

I was talking to another guy about this yesterday and he told me that there also may some water in the line which of course is freezing causing the wheel to be hard to move.

 

[leonz]

About your steering,

if you are using the B2630 every day you will have wear on the steering gear valve, motor, rack etc. normally the rack gearing is givena alittle grease every year. If you have a steering cylinder most likely the cylinder has to be replaced or repacked. There about a zero chance of water being in in the steering system.

 

[Egon]

After starting lift the front end up with the bucket and turn the steering wheel slowly back and forth. :thumbsup:

 

[fiddlerkelly]

Yeah I tried that one lifting the bucket up and down then trying steering ,didn't do anything for it . I just have to turn the wheel with some force then once it frees up I turn the wheel back and forth and once I have been operating the tractor for a couple of minutes it is totally free and easy to turn.

On the other post this guy was saying the water is from the change in temperature from warm and damp to cold and dry that condensation collects in the system.

 

[dcubb]

I had a similar issue with my B3030 a while back. At the time it had about 150 hours on it.

Anyhow, while doing some light loader work in the yard during the winter, I noticed that the steering seemed to be a bit "catchy" when I twirled the steering wheel kind of fast. Also noticed that there was a unusual amount of slop in the steering wheel, (back and forth, and side to side).

My first suspicion was that there was a failed bearing in the upper portion of the steering column due to water damage resulting from washing the tractor quite often.

Removed the steering wheel to discover that there's a plain urethane bushing at the top of the column that was wallowed out pretty good and shredded material was in between the bushing bore and the shaft.

Even though the tractor was under warranty, I replaced the bushing myself because it was less than 3 dollars and very easy to do.

Greased it up good with a quality grease containing Teflon and all was good after that.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

Well when I get back from the cabin I will have to have a look at the steering column , From the feel of the wheel that is one of the issues . I will let you know after I look at it.

 

[dex3361]

When was the hydraulic oil change? Condensation can form in the hydraulic oil and freeze this restricts the oil flow through the filter until it melts the ice particles. This can damage a HST and well as a hydraulic pump. You can do a crackle test to see if there is water in the oil and that will answer the question. I know have recommended this a lot of times on TBN but it may help you out. Crackle Test

 

[2458n]

I had water traveling down the steering column. The water froze and of course I used the armstrong method to over come it. Next lesson was to learn how the steering column was made. Very expensive lesson. Silicone on top nut of the steerig column has solved this problem. No more water. The loose feeling you are noticing maybe the result of forcing the ice around.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

So if there is water in my system will changing the oil and filters resove it totally ?