Where does resistance to steering happen?

[JCByrd24]

Interesting stuff, it never occured to me that the zerks might not be factory. I haven't seen signs of oil a grease mixing in that area, I will have to take a closer look at that. Also need to take a closer look at the manual to determine if mine is set up like Scotty suggests, I do not recall seeing a tapered roller in the exploded diagram, looked like just needle bearings at the ends of the shafts. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[rScotty]

Manual steering is a compromise with a FEL..............

Boy ain't that the truth! I think you may have hit it. I was trying to be more technical, but maybe it's normal and Byrd is finding out just how bad the steering effort is on ANY compact tractor that has a loader and no power steering.
So other people won't get caught by surprise, I'm going to start a new thread about loaders and power steering. BTW, the YM186D was available with the power steering option ($500 in 1980). Also the the JD650 kit should fit that model and was available as a complete kit from JD dealers just a few years ago for about $1100.
Good luck. rScotty

 

[JCByrd24]

Yes I'm beginning to see the light that there is nothing wrong with my tractor and a mass majority of the resistance simply comes from the tires contacting the ground. I've got the local hydraulics shop on lookout for a used orbital valve and in the mean time I will probably explore alternatives similar to the kit that Hoye sells.

 

[shawnjvl]

http://www.youtube.com/user/hobblebobble1#p/a/u/0/yYMUzs52Th8
Check this out.

 

[chriswheeler]

With my loader on my YM3000, the steering is more than twice as hard as it is with the loader off. More so with a full load in the bucket. Loader is a Koyker 160, think it weighs in around 750 lbs. Can imagine a loaded bucket could go another 500 lbs. for a total of 1250. Think they made the steering a little lite for loader use, I've rebuilt the gear box and still the same. Guess this is where power steering comes in. Think this is a great little tractor but when it gets replaced I'll be looking at this aspect hard in a new one. Problem has to be the same for you folks with the smaller tractors. Don't think there is a good fix for this because even after adding power steering you still have a steering box that is working at about the max of it's design.
Chris

 

[soulasphil]

With or without power steering, steering will be difficult with a heavy load on the FEL. The only solution, which makes a world of difference, is to have a heavy counterweight on the back of the tractor. Below my former MF 35 and present JD 3520.

 

[zzvyb6]

The increase in steering effort is not generally caused by a bearing or grease issue/problem. Its just physics. Because the steering axis of the front knuckles has a side view angle componenet, there is a caster induced force in the vertical direction which rolls the tractor. The roll moment is resisted by the rear axle and tires that means that the rear tire spring rate and pressure affect the steering effort.

The other obvious component of steering effort is tire twisting properties. The carcass stiffness in rotation is another spring in the system which you are winding up. To reduce this component, add more air to the tire to lessen the tire contact force.

A third component is caused by the scrub radius of the wheel and tire. If you have mounted the wheels in order to widen the front track, there is now a larger fore/aft component of the tire deformation that occurs because of the increased s[indle length which adds to the effort buildup. Setting the tires inward will generally reduce the effort. Try steering the wheels on some course concrete and look for the rubber scrubbed off the tires when there is a load there. Adjust the air pressure and turn the wheels inward and watch the amount of scrubbing go down. The contact patch of the tire is smaller and thus there is smaller strain in the shoulder of the tire. The tire will also appreciate the extra air pressure because the strain in the sidewalls is greatly reduced when you stiffen it up with more pressure. If this is a 2wd tractor, putting larger rear tires on will lessen the steering force because the castor angle will be lower.

You'll also experience less returnability in the steering wheel when you reduce the caster and increase the air pressure. I suppose you could also put a narrower tire and or rim on the front but which have the same load capacity rating...

 

[winston1]

I have a ym2002 with power steering and a front loader. Always put an implement on the back when using the loader. Usually a pretty heavy 54" box blade. Only time I ever have steering problem is when using it in soft sand and the wheels sink down. Normal use on firm ground steering is easy. If I ever have problems with the power steering I may regret having it as I have never seen repair discussions on these units. Nor have I seen parts listed for them. Love my power steering!

 

[normde2001]

The increase in steering effort is not generally caused by a bearing or grease issue/problem. Its just physics. Because the steering axis of the front knuckles has a side view angle componenet, there is a caster induced force in the vertical direction which rolls the tractor. The roll moment is resisted by the rear axle and tires that means that the rear tire spring rate and pressure affect the steering effort.

The other obvious component of steering effort is tire twisting properties. The carcass stiffness in rotation is another spring in the system which you are winding up. To reduce this component, add more air to the tire to lessen the tire contact force.

A third component is caused by the scrub radius of the wheel and tire. If you have mounted the wheels in order to widen the front track, there is now a larger fore/aft component of the tire deformation that occurs because of the increased s[indle length which adds to the effort buildup. Setting the tires inward will generally reduce the effort. Try steering the wheels on some course concrete and look for the rubber scrubbed off the tires when there is a load there. Adjust the air pressure and turn the wheels inward and watch the amount of scrubbing go down. The contact patch of the tire is smaller and thus there is smaller strain in the shoulder of the tire. The tire will also appreciate the extra air pressure because the strain in the sidewalls is greatly reduced when you stiffen it up with more pressure. If this is a 2wd tractor, putting larger rear tires on will lessen the steering force because the castor angle will be lower.

You'll also experience less returnability in the steering wheel when you reduce the caster and increase the air pressure. I suppose you could also put a narrower tire and or rim on the front but which have the same load capacity rating...

Too much weight on the front.