YT359C Sluggish Power steering

[Pearlsnaps]

Evening folks. My new 359 is Amazing. Only took a bit of time to setup the A/B mode and it's awesome.
I've noticed that my power steering stops working mid-turn (like old school cars that ran out of power steering fluid) when I'm at idle or slow speeds. It happens everytime I pick up a bale of hay, and usually when I'm low speed turning. Auto throttle is on. Hydraulic fluid level is good...
Any ideas why this would be happening? Only have 11 hours on the clock. Thanks in advance.

 

[wileythedog]

Mine does that also....2017 with almost 1,000 hours. I saw another post where someone said the same thing...one reply was that the front tires needed more air. Will be interesting to see other responses.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Does it still happen with the auto throttle off? Maybe the hydraulic flow isn't high enough when close to idle?

 

[wileythedog]

Not sure, don't think I have ever tried that. Pretty much just leave it in auto throttle and 4wd all the time.

 

[Pearlsnaps]

Same here. I'll try that next time and turn off the auto throttle. Dealer said her sets the front at 12-15psi. I'll check mine tomorrow. But it definitely feels like no hydraulic fluid when it happens.

 

[wileythedog]

I don't think you need to turn the auto throttle off, just increase it with the handle. It will just raise the lower RPM range, which should give more pump pressure if that is the issue.

 

[freightboy]

This is true hydraulic steering. Paschal's Law aside, there is a reason that hydraulic tests are not performed at idle. Set the hand throttle at around 2k rpm and is should improve. Remember, if you are lifting a heavy load, it is true hydraulic steering and may be going over the relief built within the orbitrol (steering) valve. If this should happen, the slightest of movement should allow you to turn. Best of luck, let us know if this works.

 

[Pearlsnaps]

I will try that option next week. Thank you both for the info.

 

[walnutman]

I just experienced this yesterday with a load of dirt in the loader. Brand new tractor. You turn the steering wheel and it's hard to turn if at all. You see a delayed response as the front tires try to turn... and they do but unsatisfactorily. Had to back up and get it to turn.
I have a call into my dealership. I want an answer.

 

[Williy]

The pump is not running fast enough to power
the steering at idle. When you want to enter the
hwy way quickly you don't idle to get out there
you step on it to get to move same with power
steering needs RPM'S TO MOVE your steering
wheel. I have the YT235C when at idle hard to
steer up the RPM'S can steer with your finger.

wlly

 

[walnutman]

That's strange. Do all tractors have this issue or just Yanmar? I know my JD 310SE backhoe doesn't do that.

 

[walnutman]

This is in the manual. It's not correct. It should say at lower rpms the power steering is disabled. I certainly wasn't operating with a load, at idle. Today I'll do a test and a video.

 

[walnutman]

Just got off the phone with Yanmar Tech Support.
They do acknowledge there is an issue and it is being addressed. They took my name and number and will get back if/when an engineering solution is available.

 

[walnutman]

 

[freightboy]

Rev it to 2530 and see if you get the same result. The YT359 max RPM is 2530.

 

[walnutman]

I hear you but this still isn't right.

 

[Pearlsnaps]

I have the same issue, and have definitely experienced a little bit better response when the RPMs are raised. However, it shouldn't happen at all. And it certainly shouldn't have to have the RPMs raised up just to turn the steering wheel in a fluid motion. The whole point I bought the Yanmar was so that I would get better engine response exactly when I needed it. So having the a/b function where I'm at lower RPMs when I don't need them, but now I have to manually have the engine at high RPMs just to turn the steering wheel?
I had a different brand of tractor before this one that had other issues. But power steering was smooth as glass. Like the full power steering on a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88. One finger steering control of the entire tractor was possible. I've experienced this issue with or without load idle partial load hay bale bucket full of dirt, it doesn't matter it happens and there's literally nothing you can do about it other than raise the throttle up even though you're already in gear and you're trying to slowly turn. It completely negates the AB function.

 

[walnutman]

I have the same issue, and have definitely experienced a little bit better response when the RPMs are raised. However, it shouldn't happen at all. And it certainly shouldn't have to have the RPMs raised up just to turn the steering wheel in a fluid motion. The whole point I bought the Yanmar was so that I would get better engine response exactly when I needed it. So having the a/b function where I'm at lower RPMs when I don't need them, but now I have to manually have the engine at high RPMs just to turn the steering wheel?
I had a different brand of tractor before this one that had other issues. But power steering was smooth as glass. Like the full power steering on a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88. One finger steering control of the entire tractor was possible. I've experienced this issue with or without load idle partial load hay bale bucket full of dirt, it doesn't matter it happens and there's literally nothing you can do about it other than raise the throttle up even though you're already in gear and you're trying to slowly turn. It completely negates the AB function.

Yea it feels like a relief valve is by passing

 

[Pearlsnaps]

I watched that video from above, and this exact thing happens fairly often to me and really bad about 3 days ago. I'll figure out how to post it here as well.
And the whole point about you should have the RPMs all the way up in order to turn the power steering, makes no sense to me. Part of the draw of this Yanmar and the AB mode is not having to have the tractor wound all the way up to do the work that you need to do. I've driven a lot of tractors and not a single one from 40-50-year-old tractors to brand new ones did I need to rev the motor up just to turn the steering wheel.

 

[Pearlsnaps]

New video by CD

photos.app.goo.gl

I'm not sure if this will work...