STEERING WHEEL on PT-422 (2003)

[ldabe]

Hey guys,
My Steering Wheel turns, but the tractor itself is not turning.

The shaft that the Steering Wheel is connected to turns, but there is no articulation of the tractor.

Before I waste much of my time trying to figure it out, any ideas or suggestions on what I should look for and check?

Thanks.

 

[MossRoad]

Hydraulic oil level first.

 

[MossRoad]

If we think about your steering circuit, and if it's anything like my 425's, one of the pumps supplies fluid to the steering valve. There's a power beyond port on the steering valve that supplies the FEL/Aux PTO valve bank. Then the fluid returns to the tank.

Does your FEL work UP/DOWN/TILT/CURL?

 

[MossRoad]

If your FEL is working, but you have no steering, then I'd suspect the steering valve.

 

[MossRoad]

Also, for some reason, I think I remember there's a steering wheel shaft. I think there might be one pin holding the steering wheel to the shaft, and maybe a bolt holding the other end of the shaft to the valve. Maybe the other end of the steering wheel shaft came loose from the valve end. I'd start there and see if my memory is faulty.

 

[ldabe]

So, talked to Terry today, and he said it is the Steering Cylinders (2- 1 on each side). He says the seals need to be replaced.

NOTICE! (From Terry) DO NOT mess with the Steering Valve! Don't touch it, don't look at it! LOL, Terry was very stern on that point. He says they cost $1300, and he cannot even work on them to get them back together once they are apart.

@MossRoad,
the first thing I checked was the "Roll Pin" that holds the steering wheel to the steering shaft, I thought maybe it was like a sheer pin and broke, but it was good.
The next check was the hydro fluid, which was good. It has a metal dip stick connected to the cap, Terry said as long as it registers on the tip of the dip stick it is good, and not to go over 3/4 above the end of the dip stick. The stick has no markings on it.

The FEL works, UP/DOWN/TILT/CURL. The PT drives forward and backward (but no steering).

Terry said I could try and fix the seals on the Steering Cylinders myself, or send them to him, $100 for the pair to fix.
(Has anyone did these seals on their own?)

I told Terry that the cylinders were not leaking, he said it is an internal problem, the seals in the cylinders.

 

[MossRoad]

Many years ago, I had some steering issues on my 425. I suspected the steering valve, so I called Terry to price a new one. He said "OK, Let's look up the price on that.... pause..... WOW! You don't want to know the price on that!" He was shocked and that was over 10 years ago. I started looking around on-line and the cheapest I found was something like $750. Anyhow, it turned out to be something else. But I think I still recall another bolt in that shaft. I'll have to look.

 

[ldabe]

Many years ago, I had some steering issues on my 425. I suspected the steering valve, so I called Terry to price a new one. He said "OK, Let's look up the price on that.... pause..... WOW! You don't want to know the price on that!" He was shocked and that was over 10 years ago. I started looking around on-line and the cheapest I found was something like $750. Anyhow, it turned out to be something else. But I think I still recall another bolt in that shaft. I'll have to look.

MossRoad, appreciate it. Let me know if you find anything on "another bolt in that shaft."

Though I am not real mechanical, I am going to attempt fixing the steering cylinders. I ordered two seal kits today from Keith at PT.
(If anyone has done a seal job of the steering cylinders, please let me know your experience, thanks.)

 

[radios1]

if I ever needed a steering valve for that, I'd adapt this.. 12.2 cu. in. Danfoss Steering Valve- Load Sensing | Power Steering Valves | Power Steering | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

 

[SpringHollow]

Here is how to do it:
https://www.usadiscountgenerators.com/~usadisco/PT1850 Web Site/SteeringCylinderRebuild.html

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

if I ever needed a steering valve for that, I'd adapt this.. 12.2 cu. in. Danfoss Steering Valve- Load Sensing | Power Steering Valves | Power Steering | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

Is it open center and does it have a power beyond port?

 

[MossRoad]

When you spin the steering wheel, do you feel any resistance at all or any noise from the hydraulics?

 

[MossRoad]

Many years ago, I had some steering issues on my 425. I suspected the steering valve, so I called Terry to price a new one. He said "OK, Let's look up the price on that.... pause..... WOW! You don't want to know the price on that!" He was shocked and that was over 10 years ago. I started looking around on-line and the cheapest I found was something like $750. Anyhow, it turned out to be something else. But I think I still recall another bolt in that shaft. I'll have to look.

Hey, I had my story wrong.... it was 2012. I found that the same steering valve was used in some JD machines, so I called a local JD dealer. He's the one that said some curse words when he saw the price, and when I called Terry, he refused to give me a price because he knew my problem wasn't the steering valve, and he was correct.... funny reading below>

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/261334-pt425-steering-valve-noises.html#post3054354

 

[cqaigy2]

Hey, I had my story wrong.... it was 2012. I found that the same steering valve was used in some JD machines, so I called a local JD dealer. He's the one that said some curse words when he saw the price, and when I called Terry, he refused to give me a price because he knew my problem wasn't the steering valve, and he was correct.... funny reading below>

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/261334-pt425-steering-valve-noises.html#post3054354

I still remember that one. Started me checking the lubrication points better.

 

[ponytug]

I still remember that one. Started me checking the lubrication points better.

Me, too!

All the best, Peter

 

[m5040]

I love how quick of a job it is to lubricate the joints on the PT with Super Lube. You guys are a testament that it works in the long run. I never hear of anyone replacing worn parts. It beats the grease gun operation that all my other tractors need and then the mess afterward!

 

[radios1]

Is it open center and does it have a power beyond port?

I know it is not open center, because it locks the wheels from turning if you are not turning the wheel, which seems like a good thing.. as far as a power beyond port, it does have a port on the side, which may be it..

 

[MossRoad]

I know it is not open center, because it locks the wheels from turning if you are not turning the wheel, which seems like a good thing.. as far as a power beyond port, it does have a port on the side, which may be it..

Since our machines are articulated, if you're turning and let go of the wheel, it just stays there anyway. You'd have to hit something pretty hard to force the ram(s) to move and affect the turn.

 

[ldabe]

@radios1, thanks. May need that in the future.

 

[ldabe]

@SpringHollow, thank you very much. That link helps a lot.