TC55 Steering Problems Fixed?

AndyMA · Sep 30, 2006

nc10sbum said:
I just purchased a TC48, Aug06, and only had a partial load in the bucket but was on a slight downgrade backfilling a foundation when the steering locked.
Pete

Pete It is my understanding that the steering problems that people have aledged about the TC48/55 are hard steering, not "locked" steering. Locked steering sounds like a "hard" failure, not a design issue.

Andy

IH3444 · Oct 1, 2006

I have a TC48 also, with rear ballast of approx. 1200#. You need some rear ballast, and also loaded tires. Mine came from Antietam tractor with loaded rear tires. I installed the rear ballast. My International construction backhoe has a 1500# hoe hanging off the back. It too at times tends to give stiff steering. There is nothing wrong with your tractor. You need rear ballast.

SkogenMe · Oct 6, 2006

AndyMA said:
Pete It is my understanding that the steering problems that people have aledged about the TC48/55 are hard steering, not "locked" steering. Locked steering sounds like a "hard" failure, not a design issue.

Andy

Sure feels "locked" that first time you experience it....like a pin has dropped in a locking linkage.
Conditions...full bucket (gravel/dirt), stopped tractor, loaded R4s, winch on 3PTH, TC48 often uneven terrain.
Dealers mechanic said it was a design feature so you didn't overload the steering....I could buy it because there definitely are some forces involved, but it sure would feel better if you could hear a relief dumping or something. Also odd that it totally disappears if you go forward or back slightly.

nc10sbum · Oct 9, 2006

Tires are loaded and have a 1000#+ tiller on 3pt.

I've not had a chance to return it to the dealer and they have not been that forth coming with the "fix"?

As far as comparing it to stiff steering, it is not like that, feels like a pin has been placed in the steering. Don't think I can buy into a design "feature".

I stopped by another dealer to ask if they had heard of this. They said they had not but that is sounded like a hydraulic lock. I will likely take the tractor back to this dealer. Even though I didn't purchase the unit there they were much more accommodating.

By the way, I may not make my living working on/with tractors but my life on a tractor began when I was 8-yo in 1959 and have never been without at least one since then.

Pete

meledward23 · Oct 10, 2006

No I dont buy that it is a design feature. Becuase it doesnt do it all the time, and occurs randomly and if I ever try and reproduce the lock, I could wait for days between occorunces.

and no it is not stiff steering. The steering wont turn. Rock the tractor forward or backward just a little and 9 out 0f 10 times it immediately frees up.

What ever it is it is there. Seems to be wrse on some machines than others. Porbably a outsourced part from a factory without ISO standards and some are better than others. (okay that is not a serious accusation, just a wild hair reckless comment)....

LetsRoll · Oct 16, 2006

For the ones that do have a mechanical problem, have you taken your tractor in to have it looked at? If so, what did the dealer have to say or say what actually was wrong?

meledward23 · Oct 18, 2006

As a side not mine was acting up much worse this past weekend with what I would call light loads. Sice I have a 759C backhoe on my machine counterweight is not a problem.

If it continues like this past weekend it will be going to the dealers.... umm,, no e will becoming to me. That is why I choose NH, my dealer has 2 traveling full time service rig.

Ah well, anyway, mine is acting up, finally, at an unacceptable level.

PineRidge · Oct 20, 2006

AndyMA said:
I have had a 2120 since 1987. The 2120 is basically the same frame as the TC48/55. It has never had a steering problem. I asked my dealer whom I know very well if the TC48/55 had steerign problems. He has sold many TC55's. He said he has never had a complaint. I'm not so sure that there ever was a real problem. They may just steer a little different than the smaller tractors.

Andy

I wouldn't necessarily digest all the dealer has to say as gospel. Have the dealer deliver one and try it out for yourself, you be the judge and jury.

When I purchased the TC-40D my dealer made a few comments that were far from true. The biggest had to do with the acid problem from the battery.

AndyMA · Oct 22, 2006

PineRidge said:
I wouldn't necessarily digest all the dealer has to say as gospel. Have the dealer deliver one and try it out for yourself, you be the judge and jury.

When I purchased the TC-40D my dealer made a few comments that were far from true. The biggest had to do with the acid problem from the battery.

I spent quite a bit of time playing with a TC55 with loader in the dirt pile at my dealers. As far as I can tell it steers like my 2120.

Andy

jimmysisson · Oct 24, 2006

AndyMA said:
I spent quite a bit of time playing with a TC55 with loader in the dirt pile at my dealers. As far as I can tell it steers like my 2120.

Andy

Well Andy I've finally figured out how to get a 2120 to stop steering. I dragged a boulder down out of the woods to hold up a sculpture. It was about a 3' sphere, granite and mica and what-all. I'm guessing about1200-1400#. Front tires with 30# set down pretty good in damp sod, sunk in about 4". Anyway, with no squealing or wheel feedback the poor thing just wouldn't turn without a slight forward or rearward moving. Not a pinned feeling, just, "nope, ain't gonna do that fer ya". Any other time, this steers like a dream. I know I was close to abusing its limits, so I don't mind, but it's interesting. Rock was dangling maybe 2' out on the HD forks.
Jim