WEIRD/SCARY STEERING

[grsr3]

First time on the road with my TS254 tractor. Drove to a neighbors to staighten out his driveway. The tractor was in 4th gear/Hi and probably doing 25mph??. It started to wander a bit at top speed and I figured it wasn't going to handle like a Porsche so I just kept playin with it til I got where I was going. Did the job and was on the road back home and the same thing. This time it seemed to be pullin a little more to the right rather than going both ways. So I kept turning the wheel slightly to the left to stay on point. Unbelievably after about 2 city blocks I had turned the steering wheel a complete 180 degrees to keep true on a dead straight run. The wheel spoke was at 12 o'clock when I started correcting and at 6 o'clock when I got to my drive entrance. It's like the steering wheel isn't connected to the front wheels with a direct mechanical connection but through some kind of a slip-clutch connection??????? I haven't gotten under it yet to see if something is loose so I thought I would see if anybody ever experienced anything like this before I did check it out
George (not a Porsche) Roma.

 

[greg_g]

I think it's safe to say yours is power steering equipped. If so, no gears are involved - it's strictly hydraulic. The most common reason that happens on Jinmas is a bad seal inside the hydraulic cylinder itself. Hydraulic fluid is supposed to flow in the direction you turn the wheel. But in the case of a bad seal, it bypasses - therefore no longer responding as precisely to your input. Repair or replace cylinder.

//greg//

 

[Bird]

It's like the steering wheel isn't connected to the front wheels with a direct mechanical connection

That's true of many tractors, and I was surprised the first time I heard of that kind of arrangement, too, and it was on a John Deere.

 

[bluechip]

be sure to check your steering oil level, it is a separate tank under the hood, about the size of a one lb coffee can and golden in color. This type of steering problem is not uncommon when road driving these tractors. The most likely cause is the steering cylinder piston rings are bypassing some fluid. You can test by turning the wheels all the way one way and then the other, if the steering wheel doesnt stop when the wheels turn against the stops, the oil is bypassing. Be sure you don't have too light a hydraulic oil in the steering trans a draulic type fluid is best. the system was designed for 30 wt oil.

 

[Soundguy]

So you got an orbital valve or full hyd valve setup... Bet you could jack up your front end and turn the steering wheel and it may turn your wheels.. if it is the style that has a built in pump.. Not sure if the chinese do or don't..

Soundguy

First time on the road with my TS254 tractor. Drove to a neighbors to staighten out his driveway. The tractor was in 4th gear/Hi and probably doing 25mph??. It started to wander a bit at top speed and I figured it wasn't going to handle like a Porsche so I just kept playin with it til I got where I was going. Did the job and was on the road back home and the same thing. This time it seemed to be pullin a little more to the right rather than going both ways. So I kept turning the wheel slightly to the left to stay on point. Unbelievably after about 2 city blocks I had turned the steering wheel a complete 180 degrees to keep true on a dead straight run. The wheel spoke was at 12 o'clock when I started correcting and at 6 o'clock when I got to my drive entrance. It's like the steering wheel isn't connected to the front wheels with a direct mechanical connection but through some kind of a slip-clutch connection??????? I haven't gotten under it yet to see if something is loose so I thought I would see if anybody ever experienced anything like this before I did check it out
George (not a Porsche) Roma.

 

[3RRL]

I had a similar experience George and I filled my steering reservoir with AW 68 and it cured the problem. You might try that first to see if it helps. If not, check the seals. Also, the higher rpm lets the power steering hydraulic cylinder work better than low rpm's. However, at your speed, I don't think that's the problem.

 

[DwayneB]

ditto to what Rob said. I went with a heavier fluid and all is well. HD 30 wt oil will work perty good to.

 

[grsr3]

Thank you for all the replies. I checked the fluid level and found it to be right on. Also noticed it was pretty thin----definitely not 30 wt. Not sure if I'll change it or not. Really don't go out on the road much, and now that I know what is happening I won't be a surprised again.
Geo.

 

[Soundguy]

If i do it slow enough.. i can make my NH 7610s steering wheel go all the way around without changing my direction.. takes a while.. but that is how I reposition my suicide knob..

Soundguy