XR3037C Steering issue.........

[mjstef]

I have had my tractor for 5 days now. While mowing i am noticing the steering has a mind of it's own. When i turn to full lock right or left it will hold but if i turn part way and look over my shoulder at the mower, i turn back around and notice the tires are starting to head toward straight again WITHOUT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL! Anyone having a similar issue? Dealer is stumped and has a call into LS. 12 hours on the clock......

 

[George2615]

Re: XR3037C Seering issue.........

I would think that if you turn the wheel and let go that continued forward movement would tend to make the tires want to turn straight again. I guess what you are seeing is the result of hydraulic steering with the wheels wanting to straighten themselves back up without the wheel moving. Hydraulic steering is not like having a steering box with gears in it that hold the tires where the steering wheel is. It sounds as if your hyd. steering cylinder or pump has an internal leak allowing fluid to get by the internal seals. Let us know if LS will have a correction to this problem. I haven't noticed this with mine yet but only have 32 hours on the clock.

 

[mjstef]

Re: XR3037C Seering issue.........

I would think that if you turn the wheel and let go that continued forward movement would tend to make the tires want to turn straight again. I guess what you are seeing is the result of hydraulic steering with the wheels wanting to straighten themselves back up without the wheel moving. Hydraulic steering is not like having a steering box with gears in it that hold the tires where the steering wheel is. It sounds as if your hyd. steering cylinder or pump has an internal leak allowing fluid to get by the internal seals. Let us know if LS will have a correction to this problem. I haven't noticed this with mine yet but only have 32 hours on the clock.

Yes, I don't let go of the wheel but it starts to straighten out. I tried on a ten acre field and it never would straighten out all the way but would go quite a bit. My old New Holland has the same steering system and it would hold wherever you put the wheel. I too think there must be a leak somewhere. Looks like i'll pass you up in hours in a week or so LOL!

 

[Deerherd]

Without turning around and looking behind you does the same thing happen? If it were something wrong with your tractor it seems you would notice it any time you turned without hitting the stops. Maybe you are letting up a little on the pressure when you turn around and what you are noticing are the R4 tires trying to self correct. Let us know!

 

[mjstef]

Without turning around and looking behind you does the same thing happen? If it were something wrong with your tractor it seems you would notice it any time you turned without hitting the stops. Maybe you are letting up a little on the pressure when you turn around and what you are noticing are the R4 tires trying to self correct. Let us know!

It happens no matter what. It's just when i turn around i don't have the tendency to keep correcting it as the visual is not there...........

 

[George2615]

Re: XR3037C Seering issue.........

Yes, I don't let go of the wheel but it starts to straighten out. I tried on a ten acre field and it never would straighten out all the way but would go quite a bit. My old New Holland has the same steering system and it would hold wherever you put the wheel. I too think there must be a leak somewhere. Looks like i'll pass you up in hours in a week or so LOL!

Most of my hours so far have been just moving it around for installing accessories like lights and back up camera system etc., Lifting heavy items like box blade, flail, post hole digger for rebuilding / refurbishing them. My main use will be in winter. After I retire I'll get much more summer use with the attachments.

 

[mjstef]

Re: XR3037C Seering issue.........

Most of my hours so far have been just moving it around for installing accessories like lights and back up camera system etc., Lifting heavy items like box blade, flail, post hole digger for rebuilding / refurbishing them. My main use will be in winter. After I retire I'll get much more summer use with the attachments.

I saw you put on different lights. I tried the factory lights at around 11:30 the other night and they seem excellent. Not sure i need any more lighting. Where you finding an issue with yours?

 

[George2615]

Re: XR3037C Seering issue.........

I saw you put on different lights. I tried the factory lights at around 11:30 the other night and they seem excellent. Not sure i need any more lighting. Where you finding an issue with yours?

No issue with mine but mine did not come with any rear lighting. I added the combination LED flood/spot light on the back. Also added the flashing amber strobes (3 front & 3 back), Reflective tape on both sides. I want to be seen when on the road. The more lighting I have the better my chance of being seen. Adding my own was cheaper than ordering factory lighting. Also installed my own radio at less than half factory price.
Front lighting (hood and cab mounted) work fine. Hood mounted lights are blocked by the bucket so I don't use them that often. I made a bracket and mounted it to the mirror brackets to relocate the cab lights so I don't have to disconnect them when I want to pop the top for service or any electrical work I may want to do.

 

[breadtrk]

Mine does that return to center thing too. I have to continue to turn the wheel to keep the same radius turn when I'm not on the stops.

 

[mjstef]

Mine does that return to center thing too. I have to continue to turn the wheel to keep the same radius turn when I'm not on the stops.

Good to know i'm not crazy. Guess we'll see what they say............

 

[breadtrk]

Any word yet mjstef?

 

[mjstef]

Any word yet mjstef?

Dealer can't seem to get any answers. I spoke to the area rep in Illinois today. He asked me to get your contact info as well. Can you pm me so i can get your info to him??

 

[mjstef]

Jack,

Just spoke with Ron @ LS. He spoke to the techs who say the reason they do this is they have the steering pressures WAAAY up to make them easy to steer and when the oil is rushing to the steering ram and you stop turning the steering wheel, some oil pushes back. LS says this is normal and as long as it don't wander going down the road there is nothing to worry about. They say that all of them do this to some extent or another. Not the answer i really wanted as it annoys the crap out of me...................

 

[breadtrk]

I drive 3 miles to the fuel stop.... I have 150 gallons on the property.... I mostly drive down to show off to the old men that hang around the market on Saturday mornings. I might also pick up the weekends liquid refreshments while I am there.

Mine drifts some but it may be the road crown more than the steering. I don't expect it to drive like a sports car but I do expect it to turn where I point it. I can deal with more steering input force if it means the thing goes where I point it. Did they mention any adjustments?

 

[mjstef]

I drive 3 miles to the fuel stop.... I have 150 gallons on the property.... I mostly drive down to show off to the old men that hang around the market on Saturday mornings. I might also pick up the weekends liquid refreshments while I am there.

Mine drifts some but it may be the road crown more than the steering. I don't expect it to drive like a sports car but I do expect it to turn where I point it. I can deal with more steering input force if it means the thing goes where I point it. Did they mention any adjustments?

As far as he said it is the nature of the beast. I sent you Ron's #. You can give him a call. George2615, Chime in please! Does yours do this???

 

[boggen]

Jack,

Just spoke with Ron @ LS. He spoke to the techs who say the reason they do this is they have the steering pressures WAAAY up to make them easy to steer and when the oil is rushing to the steering ram and you stop turning the steering wheel, some oil pushes back. LS says this is normal and as long as it don't wander going down the road there is nothing to worry about. They say that all of them do this to some extent or another. Not the answer i really wanted as it annoys the crap out of me...................

ya, i am most likely wrong, and not a clue about your tractors. but that sounds like BS. to me. kinda of mix between water hammering effect, and relief valves kicking in to early, and there tolerances in the valves are ugly.

are you able to adjust any sort of "toe in" to adjust alignment of the front wheels?

if hyd cylinders are used for steering.... turn all the way to the stops in both directions a few times. and see if you can work out any air that might be in the steering cylinders. double check steering fluid after to make sure you are up to were ya need to be.

4x4/mfwd i wonder if front box, is letting one wheel over power the other to turn things back to straight. but even then. that should not matter.

wondering if they went cheap on the steering box at steering wheel. and from left to right, the tolerance is not great enough. allowing oil to slip over to other side to turn wheels.

again most likely out of my mind. nothing new there

 

[mjstef]

ya, i am most likely wrong, and not a clue about your tractors. but that sounds like BS. to me. kinda of mix between water hammering effect, and relief valves kicking in to early, and there tolerances in the valves are ugly.

are you able to adjust any sort of "toe in" to adjust alignment of the front wheels?

if hyd cylinders are used for steering.... turn all the way to the stops in both directions a few times. and see if you can work out any air that might be in the steering cylinders. double check steering fluid after to make sure you are up to were ya need to be.

4x4/mfwd i wonder if front box, is letting one wheel over power the other to turn things back to straight. but even then. that should not matter.

wondering if they went cheap on the steering box at steering wheel. and from left to right, the tolerance is not great enough. allowing oil to slip over to other side to turn wheels.

again most likely out of my mind. nothing new there

I have strictly had the tractor in 2wd as i have had no need for 4x4 yet. I have 21 hours on it and it has had PLENTY of lock to lock turns............