L3240 Loose steering

[kub0]

Does anybody have a problem with loose steering on an L3240? When traveling on the road it wanders all over the road. It isn't noticeable when working in the field but it is almost suicide when traveling on a hard surface at maximum speed. I haven't tried it without the loader.

 

[ericm979]

The owner's manual should have specs for toe-in and steering play. Toe is adjustable on nearly every tractor/car/truck and steering play is often adjustable on Kubotas. My B7100 had instructions for that in the owner's manual. Wandering could be caused by incorrect toe-in or play in the steering if you're not used to driving a vehicle with loose steering. Or that's just how those tires are on that surface.

 

[jeff9366]

When was the last time you checked tire pressures on all four wheels?

If rear tires are filled with liquid, are they about equally filled?

 

[dstig1]

Are you in 4wd drive mode? That is a no no on the road that can cause instability

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Hours on Tractor?
Providing that the toe in, tire inflation and wheels are all in order may be bad steering valve or center seal in the steering cylinder.

Spin steering wheel to one side all the way and keep slight tension on the steering wheel, then spin it to the opposite side and see if either side has a little creep in the rotation of the steering wheel, it is possible that the center seal in the steering cylinder is leaking or leakage in steering valve is a possibility also. May also check the steering shaft going to control valve think I heard of a case where the ujoint came apart.(valve should be between frame rails in front of engine)



David

 

[kub0]

The tire pressure is equal and the rear tires are both filled to the top of the wheel so as to leave room for air and expansion. By the way fluid filled tires really take a lot of power at higher speed. You can also feel the fluid slopping around in the tires when speeding up on the road. I am just curious if it is normal to have that much play since the steering wheel obviously just controls a hydraulic valve and doesn't have any direct connection to the steering mechanism itself.

 

[jeff9366]

Correct. Grand Ls have 100% hydraulic steering.

You should have a Kubota dealer test play in your steering. Just a LITTLE play is normal. Nothing that should require more than instinctive correction. Yours is obviously much worse.

 

[dodge man]

I don't know if L's are the same as BX's in any way or not, but its common and O-ring and seal go bad in the steering cylinders on BX's. I fixed mine last years and its a lot better, but mine was so bad when it was cold out the steering seemed like it wasn't working at all, then it would be fine for a while, and then do it again. In my case you would turn the wheel and nothing would happen, then if you turned it fast enough, the steering would work.

 

[Adiredneck]

Is the steering difficult when moving slowly? If your hydraulic suction line has a crack in it, you could be getting air in the lines.

 

[kub0]

I checked with the dealer and he said it was normal. Normal is good enough when working in a field but when on the road a little play can get you in serious trouble at 15 MPH.

 

[mguitas]

Little garden tractors have play, but a l3240 should not. My 1423 doesn't.

 

[4570Man]

Mine has a little slop, but it's tight enough I can easily drive it at 15-20 mph.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

My L3130 does not wander doing road speed on pavement.

David

 

[coolreinfarm]

My L3420 is stable at hi speed, sounds to me you have a toe in or out problem, I have no problem when loader bucket full or empty, BTW I have r-4 tires. Hope you find the problem.

 

[landpride64]

I'm experiencing the same issue with a L4240. Suicide knob is never in the same place. In the fields and woods it doesn't matter but there is considerable slop on asphalt. Tires are loaded in rear and air pressure is correct up front. Anyone have ideas as to why? You essentially are steering the wheel a lot to go straight.
Thx.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

First thing to look at is the center seal of the steering cylinder, sometimes it is the valve but most times it is bleed through on the center seal.

A little movement of the spinner is normal but if it is moving at a good rate you have too much leakage.

David

 

[TripleR]

I checked with the dealer and he said it was normal. Normal is good enough when working in a field but when on the road a little play can get you in serious trouble at 15 MPH.

Seems to be an all too common answer. My L5740HSTC did the same thing and I spoke with the shop foreman who asked I try it a while longer while he looked up "acceptable specs" and to see if it improved. With use it improved substantially, but initially, I made two full turns of the wheel per mile to keep it going down the road. I've had two Grand Ls and wandering on the road is not normal. We have several tractors of different brands and none do this.

 

[landpride64]

Seems to be an all too common answer. My L5740HSTC did the same thing and I spoke with the shop foreman who asked I try it a while longer while he looked up "acceptable specs" and to see if it improved. With use it improved substantially, but initially, I made two full turns of the wheel per mile to keep it going down the road. I've had two Grand Ls and wandering on the road is not normal. We have several tractors of different brands and none do this.

So, what was the fix? Understanding most roads have a crown, I'm about 1.5 full turns per 3/4 -1 mile

 

[landpride64]

First thing to look at is the center seal of the steering cylinder, sometimes it is the valve but most times it is bleed through on the center seal.

A little movement of the spinner is normal but if it is moving at a good rate you have too much leakage.

David

Thanks David. I'll look this wknd. Is there a way to adjust?

 

[TripleR]

So, what was the fix? Understanding most roads have a crown, I'm about 1.5 full turns per 3/4 -1 mile

Mine just took time to seat in I guess. One farm is four miles away and the farm on which I live requires one half to one and a half miles of paved roads to access some sections, so it was a real aggravation. My shop foreman said it is not unusual to have a small amount of drift, it should not be enough to be noticeable. A good shop willing to help is worth a lot to me at least; too many respond with "that's normal".