1530 power steering -again

tonyopitz · Aug 9, 2015

I am having some problems with the power steering on my 1530 -again . I have been mowing for the past week and the tractor was making a noise when I would turn right, but just for an instant and then would be ok until I went to turn right again, it seems like it happened in the slack area between left and right. Today as I was finishing up it turned into a loud groan, at first I thought it was the mower shifting , then noticed the pressure line from the remote that goes to the loader would vibrate, also the steering column was getting hot. My lift and loader both seem to work ok but the tractor seems to be running a little hotter than usual. I finished up and brought back to the barn and hosed it off and let it cool down and shut it off and went in for a cold beer and let it set for a little while . When I cranked back up I drove it inside and it didn't seem to make the load groaning noise but the instantaneous noise when turning right is there. A few years ago TX Jim was a life saver when he told me how to change the o rings in the column, am I headed for that again, I don't remember if I thanked him for that, but I sure appreciated the help and it worked out great.
Any advise would be appreciated

Tony opitz

Tx Jim · Aug 10, 2015

You're Welcome
Power steering getting hot is a sign that PS valve is leaking internally. I think you need to check & probably replace those saame 6 o-rings that you replaced in the past.

tonyopitz · Aug 10, 2015

Thanks Jim, would the intermittent noise when starting to turn right also be related to those o rings. also when using the loader or lift it sounds a little noisy , less after it warms up and while I'm running sometimes I hear what sounds like lifter noise or air in the system that happens when I operate the hydraulics , Ive got about 60 hrs on the fluid and filters and screen cleaning, I notice no visible fluid leaks anywhere .Should I be using strictly JD fluid or can I use and after market brand that is sold at tractor supply or auto parts stores ? I made a set of long picks out of auto radio antenas last time and they worked good ,especialy after I put a white rag in the bottom to reflect the light. The tractor has really supprised me , I use it often and work it fairly hard, it uses very little fuel and starts right up since I changed the electrical system. Most of the time I am mowing with an older 206 bush hog mower and Iam mowing high weeds , grass saplings ect. I have 4o acres planted timber and mow between rows twice a year , which takes about a week each time cause I have to go fairly slow because of stumps and some trash that hasnt rotted out yet. The bush hog loader comes in handy for pushing over small trees and getting me unstuck when I get too close to some ponds.
Thanks a lot , Jim , I will pick up the o rings again and let you know how it turns out.

Tony Opitz
Jennings Fla

Tx Jim · Aug 10, 2015

Hyd oil should meet the J20C specifications. What type valve controls FEL & how is it attached to tractor hyd's?Have you ever inspected the hyd pump drive coupler for wear?

tonyopitz · Aug 10, 2015

The FEL is connected to the tractor hyd via the rear remote on the tractor with hoses that run inside the rear right fender to the control, the control is a joystick, the FEL is a 2426 qt bush hog, the hyd pump coupler appears to be new. but I have not inspected it, while it's down I will do that. Should there be a filter installed ahead the loader control, there is not one on this unit.

thanks for the reply, Tony Opitz

tonyopitz · Aug 17, 2015

I replaced the o rings in the steering column, it steers about the same as it did before but the noise when ever I engage the hyd. is still there it almost sounds like air in the system. It does it when I turn the wheel, when I raise the lift and when I operate the fel. I checked the hyd coupler and it looks fine. I didn't notice any groaning and it didn't heat up. I did notice a lot of play in the valves on the shaft, I'm not sure how much there should be but it seems like almost a 1/4 inch. I haven't changed the fluid and filter yet , that's my next project, last time was about 75 hours ago and the strainer was really packed with crud, I cleaned it , tried to get the pressure relief valve out but coulnt get it out , it seemed free but I guess I need to get it out this time and check it.

any ideas?
Tony

Tx Jim · Aug 18, 2015

FEL operation should drastically improve if you'll get pressure for FEL valve behind priority valve(fitting that supplies scv's) and return hyd oil to a ported hyd filter cover.

tonyopitz · Aug 18, 2015

Thanks Jim, but the fel seems to operate fine ,its just the noise that's got me worried, its worse when you turn the steering wheel than when you operate the fel. or the rear lift.

Tony

tonyopitz · Aug 20, 2015

well, I pulled the steering valves again to check the o rings, they looked fine, I now have smooth steering to the right but jerky and noisy steering to the left, I seem to go from bad to worse, could I have got some bad o rings, I got them from Louisville tractor, I got 12 in case I had to do it again at some point ,or could I have bad valve assemblies, or something else. any thoughts are appreciated.

Tony